Life Of The Party Review: 2 Ups & 7 Downs

4. Ben Falcone's Dull, Forgettable Direction

It's fair to say that cinematography and direction aren't the most important aspects of most comedies, but many of Seth Rogen's films and the recent Game Night have especially proven that skilled filmmakers can wring sure style out of even the most outrageous gag-fests.

Here, Ben Falcone once again proves himself an utterly workmanlike journeyman director, just pointing the camera at his subjects with the most basic sense of framing and letting the actors have at it.

There are worse crimes for comedy directors to commit, sure - it isn't grossly overlit to the point where it resembles a TV show like many contemporary studio comedies - but it's just frustrating to watch theatrical releases composed so thoughtlessly, no matter their genre.