This Week's PCR Movie Review |
"Old School"
Movie review by: Movies are rated 0 to 4 stars
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It's been 25 years since "National Lampoon's Animal House" became the blueprint for outrageous comedy. Since then, there have been many attempts to find the same formula. However, "Animal House" had two things going for it that the others didn't. Number one, writers Doug Kenney and Harold Ramis. Number two, a perfect cast, headed up by the late, great John Belushi. While not as well written, "Old School" has managed to find a great cast and they are what make this film funny!
Wilson is Mitch, a real estate lawyer who takes an early flight home one day to discover "naked, blindfolded people coming out of my bathroom," at the invitation of his girlfriend. Naturally upset, he moves out and rents a house. However, he discovers that the house is so near the local college campus that it is only zoned for college-related use. Undaunted, he and his friends Frank (Farrell) and Butch (Vaughn) decide to form a fraternity. To make it legal, they decide to pledge not only students, but everyday people, including an 89-year-old ex Navy man!
As fate would have it, the dean of the college is a man that Luke, Frank and Butch used to torment in high school. When the dean discovers who is running the frat, he goes about trying to have them kicked out of the house. In order to stay, the members must prove themselves academically, physically and morally. In a very funny scene, they put on a dance routine to show their "school spirit."
Farrell, who has had small parts in some very funny films, emerges as a comedy star to reckon with. Not since Belushi stole the show in "Animal House," has one performer shined above his comedy costars. Not to say that Wilson and Vaughn aren't good. The whole cast is funny and cameos by comedian Andy Dick and ESPN personality Craig Kilborn earned well-deserved laughs.
Though the film is rated R for some definitely "adult humor," "Old School" is one of the few comedies in recent times where I've laughed throughout. On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "Old School"
This week's movie review of "Old School" ©2003 by Michael A. Smith. All graphics this page are creations of Nolan B. Canova, ©2003, all rights reserved. All contents of "Nolan's Pop Culture Review" are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova.