In A24’s newest film, Y2K will send viewers back to New Year’s Eve 1999. As high schoolers party to the end of the year, technology begins to come to life. In an isolated American town, machines come together to execute humans.
What is Y2K Inspired By?
The term “Y2K’” is a short slang for the year 2000. This became the most memorable year as the Aztec Calander predicted it would be the end of the world. However, it became infamous for a major computer malfunction. Two years prior, then-President Bill Clinton addressed the country about the Millennium Bug. His Vice President, Dr. Bruce Alberts warned him that the current PC hardware could cause a glitch statewide. Here’s what Clinton informed the public:
“The Vice President discussed the design flaws in millions of the world’s computers meaning they will be unable to recognize the year 2000. And if they can’t, we will see a series of shutdowns, inaccurate data, and faulty calculations. Because of the difficulty that has far flung from billions of microchips from running farm equipment to VCRs, this will not be an easy fix. It’s a complex test that requires us all to work together–every government agency, university, hospital, and business, large and small.”
Dr. Albert first heard this from Peter de Jager who had issues ran into these issues in 1978 while working for IBM (International Business Machines). He identifies that PCs will revert back to January 1900 when they reach Y2K. His boss unfortunately ignored his precautions. He later published his findings about the Millenium Bug on Computerworld in 1993. It was thanks to his effort that the US prepared their best technical engineers to rework the coding.
A Fictional Alternate Timeline
While Y2K did not end the world, let’s imagine a different timeline where it succeeded. A24’s Y2K takes place in San Diego, California. The proof of its location is in the second trailer where Crawford High School appears on screen. Two teenage boys, Eli and CJ sneak into a New Year’s Eve party for one mission: to get Eli’s dream girl, Laura.
The moment he saw Laura making out with the jock ‘Soccer Chris’, the power shuts down. Soon electronics began to come to life. One by one, people are getting slaughtered by robotic amalgamations. Survivors saw their town going into flames and two planes crashing into each other. These electronics seem to serve a strange 3D-rendered entity hellbent on humanity. Now, it’s up to everyone to fight and survive the Y2K Bug.
Mixing Young And Experience Talent
Director Kyle Mooney decided to have a mixed cast for Y2K’s cast. The three stars on the frontline are Jaeden Moore (It 2017), Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), and Rachel Zergel (West Side Story). While Y2K is Kyle Mooney is directing, he will be joining in the action as Garret. Probably the newest to acting has to be The Kid LAROI. He’s famous for his rapping career in Australia with his hit single “Without You.”
First Impressions
Retro to the Core
For Mooney’s first film production, he chose a perfect setting to create an apocalypse comedy. By using late ‘90s technology forming into living beings is pretty cool. You most likely see this kind of creativity in an 80s-inspired movie experimenting with virtual reality or video games. Mooney went above and beyond using what was available at the time: CRTs, Tamagatchis, VCRs, remote-control cars, and even Elwood Edwards’ AOL voice.
Chemistry Balance
So far, there is a nice energy surrounding the y2K cast. Using the younger actors to portray junior and high school kids feels natural. Then the older actors are portrayed as possibly high school seniors or growing college kids. Dennison and Moore’s youthful looks make them perfect for their roles. Their portrayal and acting chemistry are spot-on for teenagers trying to fit in to impress.
Combining Practical and CGI Effects
What I noticed in Y2K’s trailer is a good amount of practical effects. The Hummertruck and Tamagotchi Bot are not CGI. They are actual makeshift animatronics with added wiring and improvised weapons. Meanwhile, CGI animations are used for any electronic creature made of wire, PC monitors, or facial screen displays. The most impressive has to be the engine machine costume. I’ve seen heavy costumes tailored in Japanese sentai as they require strong endurance to wear them. We hope to see more of them when Y2K releases in theaters on Dec. 6th.
