Paper Towns

The wildly popular author John Green's books are mostly rom-comish in nature and geared toward an adolescent audience. Still, titles like "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" and "The Fault in Our Stars" appeal to a wide audience because their sentiments are so universal. Copies pack the shelves of not only Barnes and Nobel but Target and Wal Mart as well. But the screen version of Green's "Paper Towns" is more than the Hollywood adaptation of a well-liked book. It has all the hallmarks of an instant classic.

We can't help falling in love with Cara Delevingne's enigmatic character Margo. And most of her charm comes because Nat Wolff's character Quentin is so enamored of her. When she finally pays attention to him, crawling into his bedroom window in the middle of the night, we are ready to follow her on any wild goose chase she may lead us.

In one night, Margo talks Quentin into doing more outlandish things than he ever dreamed he was capable. Like most Green protagonists Quentin is a pretty straight-down-the-line, white bread suburbanite. But what comes after one night of courage and adventure? Returning to the status quo?

Not for Quentin. Margo is not going to let him off that easily. She disappears, runs away from home without a trace.

Well almost. She leaves behind a trail of clues for only one person. Now that's how a mentally ill, narcissistic girl can make a guy feel special.

The rollercoaster-ride of adventure this movie takes us on doesn't overshadow some magnificent performances from Wolff and his cronies Ben (Austin Abrams) and Radar (Justice Smith). Especially remarkable is Abrams with his naturally neurotic, character-based comedy. This is a face we're going to be seeing on the screen a lot more.

The special features are plentiful and well worth it for John Green fans and those recently introduced to him. Highlighted by a making of featurette and two "Lightning Rounds" one with "John and Nat" and one with "John and Cara," there are also alternate scenes, deleted scenes, a gag reel and more.

"Paper Towns"
Blu-ray Combo Pack
$19.96
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