Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend (TV Movie 2020) Poster

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8/10
One of the better interactive stories
jwwalrath-227-8548716 May 2020
This follow-up special to the comedy The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is one of those interactive programs that have been popping up on Netflix. This was a pretty fun experience.

First off, like the original show there are a ton of very funny lines. Also like the show, I felt there were a fair amount of types of jokes that the writers were more into than the audience is. (All the bits about Titus (Tituss Burgess) being lazy get old).

Though not the first to interactive stories, this special has it's own spin. Given Kimmy's emotionally stunted nature, this special specifically pays homage to the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure stories. Now, the amount of basic storylines you can go through only goes so far. (Unless you're a completionist, you'll probably go through 1-3 viewings.) However, the writers seem to realize this. The same scenes can alter in lines or be extended based on choices. The viewer is even rewarded for choosing the same options twice. Also like CYOA, there are dead ends that are often some of the cleverest bits and provide some fun moments of the characters talking directly to the audience.

The cast remains strong. The special manages to include all the regularly recurring characters. Ellie Kemper continues to do an excellent job as Kimmy. She has such range being able to switch from childish to serious perfectly. Jon Hamm returns as the evil Richard Wayne Gary Wayne and continues to kill it. I feel guilty liking the performance, because the character has done such terrible, deplorable things but almost every line of his is gold. Daniel Radcliffe appears in this as Kimmy's fiance, and having a great sense of comedy he fits in perfectly. He works really well off of Kemper. (Although, I felt Radcliffe was a subject of too many obvious, broad British jokes.)

The special looks great, continuing the show's brightly colored and lit aesthetic.

Overall, I recommend this. However, if you're one of those people who may have felt the show dropped in quality after season 1, be forewarned that this does feel like that part of the show.
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8/10
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy VS The Reverend"- A mildly entertaining plus-sized episode elevated by its unique interactive gimmick. Warning: Spoilers
You thought you had heard the last of Kimmy Schmidt? Well, think again! Tina Fey's beloved cult-comedy hit is back with a new interactive special-"Kimmy VS The Reverend!"

Picking up some time after the series finale, the new special finds Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) quickly approaching her wedding day with British Prince Frederick, played by a fantastically cast Daniel Radcliffe. However, Kimmy soon comes to learn that the nefarious Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm) has had a second, secret bunker all along, and that there is another group of captive "mole women" out there, waiting to be rescued. And so, Kimmy must set out to save the day along with her best friend Titus! (Tituss Burgess) At the same time, Titus' manager Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) tries to keep him secured in a role in an upcoming action picture, while Lillian (Carol Kane) opts to throw a bachelorette party for the absent Kimmy with hilarious results.

"Kimmy VS The Reverend" is a delightful little coda to the series, thanks in large part to its implementation of the interactive gimmick. Every so often, the viewer will be given a choice between two or more options, which will have an impact on the narrative in some way. Some are small and merely create minor cosmetic differences in specific scenes, while other decisions are larger in scope, and can entirely effect the outcome of the story. If you're familiar with choose-your-own-adventure books, you'll feel right at home, because the special very much plays out like one. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for easter-eggs! While I won't spoil any, there are some very clever hidden scenes to unlock if you make the correct choices. I've been wondering for quite some time why Netflix hasn't been exploiting their potential for interactive entertainment more than it has. It seems like a complete no-brainer. So it's nice to see the format applied to one of the site's most unique sitcoms.

The writing is generally quite solid, even though I would argue that it's lacking in the big laughs that typically defined the original series. The special made me grin on several occasions and got a few decent chuckles out of me... but I never really got any of the big belly-laughs I had come to expect from "Kimmy Schmidt." It's more charming than amusing, I'd say. But I could forgive that, because it makes up for it with the interactive gimmick, which kept me thoroughly invested.

And as always, the cast is a complete delight. Kemper slips right back into Kimmy's shoes like no time had passed at all, and Burgess is excellent as always. But the biggest surprise was Radcliffe in his guest-role as Kimmy's fiancé Frederick. He fits right in with the rest of the cast, and has a great chemistry with virtually everyone. It's a shame this was his only appearance in the series, because I'd love to see more of his character.

"Kimmy VS The Reverend" may not be the best, nor the funniest episode of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." But it's certainly one of the most memorable thanks to its interactivity and branching storyline. If you're a fan of the series, this is definitely something to check out! I'm giving it an 8 out of 10! As Kimmy would say, it's "hashbrown, awesome!"
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8/10
Reverend And The Choice Makers
southdavid15 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I liked the Kimmy Schmidt series. I felt that it started really well but then didn't quite maintain those standards as it ran on. So I'm happy to say that I felt this show (on the run through I had anyway) was back to its best.

Just days before her marriage to Prince Frederick (Daniel Radcliffe), Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) discovers a choose-your-own-adventure book in her bunker backpack, that doesn't appear to belong to her or any of the other mole women. Trying to find out who the book belongs to leads Kimmy to visit Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm) in prison, where Kimmy inadvertently discovers that there was another bunker of women, as yet undiscovered. From there, she and (in my story) Titus (Tituss Burgess) head out to find the bunker.

Taking its cues from Black Mirror's "Bandersnatch" episode, this special is an interactive episode where you use a game controller to select options to make the story progress. Occasionally you run up against an immediate wrong choice, at which point you get an "ending" of sorts - then the story rewinds and either automatically chooses the other option, or allows you to pick again. Some of these seem relatively innocuous but then, in retrospect, if feels like one of the options (whether to choose Kimmy's adventure partner as Titus or Jacqueline would have a major effect on the episode.) I haven't been back to it yet to explore the other options and see what genuine differences can be made and what other endings are available. I made it to the end credits after roughly 90 minutes that were genuinely laugh out loud funny - I assume that it was the extra writing time that really helped pull the episode quality back up. There's also a movement away from contemporising the humour, talking about what was current at the time of writing, so only one scene about the Fyre festival feels dated - as that time in the zeitgeist has come and gone.

The best thing I can say is that from a show I was contented had ended when it did; I now what to see more of again. Kimmy Christmas special anyone?
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Interactive fun!
ts-000012 May 2020
Won't spoil anything,but was a great experience. Played it several times & choose differently,to see what happens. Wish more tv or movies,gave this viewing option. Give this a chance! Great cast,story(ies) & more!
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10/10
One Fudging awesome adventure!
Brycemesser13 May 2020
This is Kimmy Schmidt at its best. No matter what option you choose you usually always get a laugh and besides the choices, it's a really good movie that adds onto Kimmy and her friends' lives without ruining anything set up in the series. I absolutely loved it and I've already watched it more than once!
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7/10
A delightful treat!
Sir_AmirSyarif14 May 2020
'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' interactive special, 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend,' is delightful, hilarious, and provides a wonderful end to the series. (And yes it's much, much better than Netflix's 'Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.')
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10/10
The Most fun!!!
hungry_nirupam12 May 2020
Ok, listen up I don't really like choose your own adventures. Bandersnatch wasn't what it cracked up to be but gotta say this new Kimmy movie is so damn funny!! Every choice we take, good or bad, is HILARIOUS and good thing is we don't really have to repeat stuff again and again! It's done right!

Glad to see the core four back! I love all of them but gotta give a shoutout to Jane Krakowski because I love her so much! The guest actors are pretty funny too!

Story wise, it actually adds to the main series so that's great.

GO ON HAVE FUN NOW!!!!
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7/10
It hits you.
daropaz20 July 2020
So lovely to See Kimmy again. Had hoped for a new season though.Unbreakable Kimmy Smith. Tv series. I rarely laugh out laod. So much crazy i had to rewiind to see if it was for real. I guess the bad reviews here, must be from people that havent seen the show U.B.K. This is funny 5 of 6. Ore like 9 of 10. People will hate ore love this movie.
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10/10
I'm now satisfied with the ending
booksnbooks-123387 July 2020
This is how you close a franchise. I mean, a lot of shows have those emotional "the end"'s. We know it's goodbye but it shouldn't always be emotional. You should be happy that you watched the series from the beginning to the very end.
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7/10
A fun "final" adventure!
tanstorck17 May 2020
I enjoyed the series and this interactive special in some ways works as a season 5 (since season 4 only came out about a year ago). The series had a mostly satisfying conclusion so having another story only a year later is a bit strange.

The interactive aspect of the special was very interesting. It did make watching somewhat stressful since the character's lives were in my hands. As I completed the special, there were several things left unresolved due to the choices I made. However, as I started to rewatch and make different choices, I felt that there would be no happy ending for all of the characters like the original series had.

As with the original series, the special is quite dark and some of the "jokes" take things a few steps (or leaps) too far.

I enjoyed seeing all of the characters again and there were several lines that were absolutely hilarious.

Now the rating...should I rate give it a 5? 1? 10? I'll choose 7.
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5/10
What's the point of interactive if the choices don't really matter
boeriulivia9 August 2020
As the title says what is the point of having multiple choices if you don't actually have that much influence story anyway? You might just as well have shown me a movie without the whole dragging of the story by choosing the "wrong" things. It tried, for me personally it failed. Maybe I didn't try enough choices to actually enjoy it, but after finishing it I didn't really feel like trying again.
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9/10
Amazing surprise from Netflix
nukhetagar13 May 2020
What a surprise this was! Here is me, sitting at home in quarantine, hoping to find something that could entertain me. And all of a sudden, there it was: Kimmy vs the reverend. This 'movie' holds the charm that made Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt the sweet funny story that it was, and meshes it with the 'create your own story' technique that made Black Mirror: Bandersnatch one of the rare hits of Netflix in the last year. Amazing stuff! And having no clue that this was even in production made it all the more delicious. Watch this, you will not regret it
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7/10
Could have been better...could have been worse
alaisdair-6833814 October 2020
It's been a few years since the cancellation of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt ripped my heart into a million tiny pieces. The sharp and witty writing combined with the positive and whimsical nature of the show turned into a huge hit for Netflix in its early days of producing original content. A movie really wasn't something that alot of people where clamouring for, fortunately though the entire cast has returned with a few fresh additions to deliver an interactive special that attempts to retain the joy of the show but fails to deliver, despite the interactivity elements.

Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) has been living it large with a new career and fiancee Prince Frederick (Daniel Radcliffe) planning their dream wedding when Kimmy finds a book that makes her think there is another bunker with women that the reverend has hidden somewhere. After a conversation with Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (John Hamm) she sets out with Titus in tow to track down the hidden bunker and free the women.The biggest part of this movie is the humour, usually Schmidt has a distinct pop.culture satirical slant that won't age well. It is only slightly similar here, the humour seems a little watered down without the onslaught of quips that the show offered up. That being said Titus (Titus Burgess) is still as extra as he has ever been and his constant quips with Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski). The cast have a lot of fun with the choices offering up some great segways when faced with a choice. Unlike previous CYOA's (Choose Your Own Adventures) making a different choice from the main plot doesn't take you down too wild of a path and will more often than not result in a do-over forcing you to take a certain way which seems to defeat the purpose.

Story wise, it's a great idea. It seems totally plausible that the Reverend would have more bunkers and when Kimmy gets more switched on to the world around her would trip him up on this. The concept is sound, however the execution is a bit rushed and would have served better if fleshed out over a sesaon of the show (which is seems like it was probably meant for). The main story focuses on Kimmy and Titus on a road trip adventure, while Jacqueline gets an odd sub-plot seeing her stalling on the set of Titus's new movie opportunity. It doesn't always work but the show has always been quirky enough to pull it all together and make it look intentional.If you are planning to jump into the CYOA part of it, I really encourage you to press "SKIP INTRO" when the theme song starts, it is worth every second! While the show may have finished, this special proves that Schmidt still has plenty left in the tank creatively and checking in with these characters every few years may not be a bad thing.

Kimmy Vs The Reverend may not be as innovative or side splittingly hilarious as the TV show previously was, it does offer a glimpse and some finality into where these characters have fit into the world around them. Radcliffe is a great new addition to the cast and has just enough to showcase his comedic muscles. Fans of the series will enjoy a fresh glimpse into Kimmy's colourful world, newcomers to the series may just leave a little confused.
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3/10
Not the right format for this show
desrocchi29 August 2020
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt heavily relies on its unending chain of gags, that's what makes it shine: it does not leave you with an empty second.

This interactive format that stops the whole sharades and forces you to wait, sometimes go back, see the same thing a second time, wait again for the choice and repeat, completely destroys the basis of the show.

The story is on the weak side, but I think without the whole choice gimmick could have been enjoyable.
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10/10
A Fun Interactive Movie That Lets You Control Kimmy's Big Adventure!!!
Pumpkin_Man22 May 2020
I was browsing Netflix a few days ago, and I wanted to try watching an 'interactive' movie because it sounded fun, so I gave this a watch. At the time, I had never seen the series, so I didn't really know the characters or Kimmy's backstory, but I completely binge-watched all 4 seasons of Kimmy after finishing the movie. This was a really fun way to meet Kimmy for the first time. I got to control her actions, who goes on the adventure with her, what her friends do in her absence, and much more.

Years ago, Kimmy Schmidt was taken by Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, who told her and three other women that the world was ending, and put them in a bunker for 15 years. Now, after Kimmy has broken out and living her best life with her new friends, she's getting married to Prince Frederick (played by Daniel Radcliffe) On the way home, she discovers a book in her talking back-pack. She's led to believe that there may have been another girl that the Reverend has 'tooken' and goes on an adventure with Titus to find them and save them. If you love Kimmy Schmidt, and interactive movies, I highly recommend UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT: KIMMY VS. THE REVEREND!!!
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7/10
Not quite there yet
honestly2212 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Kimmy Schmidt is/was a phenomenal show. A+ writing, acting, colorwork, music - I mean, everything. Across the board, the four seasons that exist are beyond great.

This... I don't know. For the most part, the things that I liked about the show were there, except the story.

I get it, the writers saw "Bandersnatch" and were eager to use the same technology to tell a Kimmy Schmidt story, but did it have to be this particular story? It felt rushed. Really, really rushed.

The things I liked are plenty, though, it's not like the whole film is creatively bankrupt. In fact, despite all the things I didn't like, the film was actually quite enjoyable. Most of the A+ aspects of the show are retained - great music, brilliant jokes, wonderful use of color, the whacky aspects of the world that's been built, and the acting, specifically from Ellie Kemper and Titus.

However, this was set against a backdrop of using a technology that hasn't yet had the time to mature. The choose your own adventure thing was pretty frustrating, to be honest. If, for 90% of the choices, you're going to tell me I'm wrong, then why have the choices in the first place? It felt as if they wrote a film, took all the scrapped storyline's and filmed them anyway. I want Kimmy to kill the reverend, don't just tell me she did that and died and then rewind me back because I made the "wrong choice". I don't care that it's the wrong choice. I'm making the decisions here, not you. If you want to make the decisions on how the characters live their lives; make a film without the gimmicks. It genuinely frustrated me. If there's a right choice, then why bother asking me? Quite frankly, I couldn't care less what dress Kimmy wears, if that's the most substantial decision I get to make.

Again, it feels rushed. Like they wanted to get it out so fast they didn't bother to properly plot the choices out. While Bandersnatch wasn't high art, it at least felt consequential, like the choices I made mattered. Sure, sometimes a character died along the way, but at least I made all the decisions that lead them to that point and it felt like a natural progression for the story.

It felt like the writers knew it, too. At one point in the film, Kimmy is reading a choose your own adventure book, and makes a mistake and flips back. It's like they were trying to say "look this is just like a choose your own adventure book". But it's not. It's a film, and by failing to expand upon the idea to make the most out of the technology you have, you might as well have just written a book. It just feels kind of redundant.

Again, this rushed feeling isn't just felt during the execution of the idea, but in the idea itself. The story just kind of... well, it's not the best. It's not terrible, but it just feels redundant, given the ending the show had in its original series finale. There were a few good moments, specifically Titus singing "Free Bird", Lillian shooting guns in a hotel room, and anything to do with Jacqueline is always a treat, but these moments are down to the actors. However, these moments can't save writing that feels like fan fiction.

Honestly, this would have been significantly better if they'd taken longer to write it, film it and work out all the details to make it work as it deserved to.

Kimmy Schmidt is one of the greatest shows to come out of the streaming era, it sucks that the last thing we're seeing of it is this. I didn't quite like how the fourth season ended - like they tacked on an epilogue on the last episode because they got prematurely cancelled or something - but it was a far better ending than this cliché filled exhibition.

Will I watch it again? Probably. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it worth the hype? Not really.
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10/10
Way better than bandercrap
mofobuss15 May 2020
Bandersnatch you had to fast forward through the repetitive parts when you explored the story from different options...at least that slight nuances every time you had to repeat a scene...john hamm was on point...titus is always titus...kimmy could've been funnier but I still love any kimmy story!
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7/10
unbreakable continues
SnoopyStyle17 June 2022
Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) is getting married to Prince Frederick (Daniel Radcliffe). She finds a book in her backpack which leads her to suspect that the Reverend (Jon Hamm) has another girl held captive. She sets off to visit him in prison accompanied by best friend Titus (Tituss Burgess).

The show continues. The gang is back. It's the same wackiness but more of it. It does the choose your own adventure concept. I used to read those books and I always checked every possible outcome. It's the completist in me. This is a movie for the fans and fans will like this. The show continues.
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10/10
Camp!!
eber5230 March 2021
This show is supposed to be over dramatic and campy that's the essence of it and in my opinion that's what makes it so funny, the smallest things they say are so dumb but that makes it so funny!!

I recommend it if you love campy shows!!

I laughed the whole episode.
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6/10
Kimmy and friends have an interactive adventure
lee_eisenberg27 September 2020
The year after the original series ended, Kimmy and her friends are back in an interactive special. "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend" depicts her about to get married when she discovers that the reverend has another bunker full of mole women. So, she and Titus set out on an adventure to find it; let's just say that Titus is probably the first flamboyant black guy to do some of what he does here! Meanwhile, Kimmy's aloof employer Jacqueline and gentrification-hating landlady Lillian have their own adventure.

It's an interactive special, so there are several different plots that it can take. I watched it twice. It's not any sort of masterpiece, but enjoyable enough for the brief runtime.

I'd like to see a special depicting "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", "Six Feet Under", "The Big Bang Theory", "Modern Family", "American Horror Story" and "Stranger Things" all taking place in the same universe.
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3/10
Disappointing
imdejong11 August 2020
The choices either lead to a do-over or are irrelevant to the storyline (nothing changes). Moreover, although I really enjoyed the series, the movie itself is not that funny at all. Not a single chuckle.
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10/10
Kimmy Never Let's Me Down.
surveysbytony21 May 2021
This is where I came in. When Kimmy found out there were other women still in the predicament she once was, I knew she wouldn't stop no matter what to find them, that I thought of when I read the title, and was sure when I watched the trailer, she went everywhere and did anything to get, and when she did, It Was A Miracle They Were Alive Damn It. The only problem I had with this movie was that her Wacky Mother Played By Lisa Kudrow was not there, that would've been so Perfect, riding that roller coaster to break a record shouldn't been the end of their bond, at the very least of this I figure out if she was alive who I would Love To see as Kimmy's mother, and I wasn't let down, they chose the person who thought Kimmy got her wackiness from, The Hilarious Lisa Kudrow. Very Much Love for that choice, but I take My Love Back, because she WASN'T THERE!!! Overall it was fun, except for that one Snag.
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1/10
Very stupid
siminamolnar9 August 2020
Why the high ratings??? i don't get it....what's funny about this? it was simply stupid, unfunny, pointless....like a puppet show for kids 🤷‍♀️, The interactive part of it didn't make it more interesting for me at least. This is my personal opinion, but obviously other people like this....
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9/10
A great interactive special that anyone can enjoy
aprilsfriendorin26 August 2020
Obviously this is going to be a more enjoyable experience for those who have actually seen the show, but even if you haven't seen it you'll probably still like the movie. It's a great choose your own adventure, and there are an infinite (an exaggeration but there are a lot) number of scenes you can watch. Daniel Radcliffe was a great addition to the cast. I would highly recommend checking it out. It's also great if you're not really in the mood for a sit-down movie, considering it's interactive.
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9/10
A brilliant use of the interactive Netflix format
rbncanhoto1 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I started watching this expecting my choices to simply direct the story, but they are much more than this. The show's particular personality and sense of humour are carried into the choices you are give and even beyond those by having alternative storylines in some cases even if you don't make a choice or go back and try all the possibilities. In a similar meta way to that of Bandersnatch, where you had choose on your screen as the character was confronted with a choice on his, this special brings the humour into the screen choices in a surprising way that made me lol multiple times. Worth exploring all the hidden scenes, with the best I've found being the robot's takeover of the planet.
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