On the whole, Kings' acting is solid and natural -- very in keeping with the film's lighthearted and breezy tone. The main trio of boys are all great in their respective roles and capture the quintessential sensibilities of a group of rambunctious teenage guys. Likewise, Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman delivers a standout performance as Joe's surly father Frank, as does the actor's real-life wife Megan Mullally, who plays Patrick's overbearing mother. Joe's sister Heather, played by Community's Alison Brie, also turns out some fun moments, particularly near the beginning with Joe.
Of course, the real star of the film is Chris Galletta's screenplay, which boasts a tight story, witty dialogue and likable characters. The script itslef has a timeless quality to it, while still infusing a bit of the contemporary and with each character having his/her own unique voice. The structure is brisk and economic, never padding out its 93-minute runtime. Kings also does a good job of lightly moving between comedy and pathos. It makes good use of its R-rating, maintaining a family-friendly feel without curbing the apt foul mouth of every teenage boy. The humor can get a little broad at times, but for the most part it rides a steady sweet spot and lands all its jokes.
In terms of presentation, The Kings of Summer is surprisingly stylized, incorporating slow-motion throughout, which lends to the film's scenic, affectionate view of the great outdoors. There's also a distinct fondness of the retro aesthetic, and Kings embraces this notion with references to Super Nintendo and a suitably video game-inspired soundtrack. (Patrick even says at one point that his mom reminds him of Blanka from Street Fighter II.)
In fact, the movie's only fault may be in its relaxed pace. Until the midpoint, it's sort of unclear where the story is going or what the endgame is for the boys' outlandish venture to create a home away from home. It isn't until the B story kicks into gear that you get a better sense of the film's underlying themes and the relationships that propel them. Still, Kings of Summer is decidedly character-driven, and the cast is likable enough that a less determined narrative is forgivable.
All in all, The Kings of Summer is a funny and enjoyable diversion from some of the more big-budget flicks coming out this summer, and marks a commendable feature debut for both Vogt-Roberts and Galletta. Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.
