Old School Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)March 7th, 2003
Old School
Matinee Price
Dear God. 2003 is truly a banner year when I like a Will Ferrell movie (Old School) better than a Jackie Chan movie (Shanghai Knights). I even want to see it again! I am deeply ashamed and will understand if you totally cease to take me seriously after this. But gosh darnit, I laughed most of the movie. Loudly! Taking a cue from a gentler, funnier era of college punks versus nasty dean pictures, Old School is just that: harkening back to the good old days of fun, silly, not-insulting, not-mean spirited comedy. Imagine.
Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Ferrell, all regular thirtysomething grownups, start a frat house on campus through a series of mishaps and luck. Obviously, mayhem ensues. But what kinds of mayhem? Some of the usual sorts you might expect (frat house + beer = sure fire comedy moments), but still surprisingly fresh & funny.
Yes, I hear what I am saying, believe me. NO ONE is more surprised than myself. It's quirky and slips in smart jokes among the oopsie jokes. Some of them you will even feel clever for catching! The cast is littered with fairly famous faces, even an inexplicably dialogue-free Rob Cordry of the Daily Show. Great neglected comedy actors like Jeremy Piven, Seann William Scott (Stifler), some Mad TV veterans, and even Andy Dick, all kickin' old school tunes and plain old delivering what it promises. These days, who could ask for anything more? Animal House, your son is born. Who'da thunk it?
Director Todd Philips (Road Trip) wisely lets his actors take the movie, and also equally wisely refrains from casting Tom Green. Also a screenwriter, he clearly recognizes the value of studying the classics (without stealing too much). It's a fun romp, nothing the Academy will ever notice, but it's a fun little ride.
Vince Vaughn's uptight speaker mogul dad Beanie vacillates between his Swingers character Trent and a sort of crazed yuppie, with amusing results. Luke Wilson is predictably appealing as the put-upon straight man Mitch with brains of gold. And Will Ferrell isŠvery very brave. And, I must say, appears to have actually memorized his dialogue, which I appreciated. It helps him be funnier. Also, his character actually has, well, levels. I KNOW. In addition, his self-deprecating loser Frank stole the show. Again, I reel with the shock! They prance merrily through a crass sea of overt product placement and classic gags and frat movie stereotypes, and they dance a good little jig. Some of the little side plots come off a little awkwardly (the girl who got away, Ferrell's wife's personal struggles) but nothing ruinous. A good, silly time, empty calories but oh so tasty. It's a beer on a hot day, and there's nothing wrong with that.
You've probably already seen it, and it's very likely you also enjoyed it, so I hope my 180 degree turn hasn't ruined your impression of me forever, Gentle Readers.
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These reviews (c) 2003 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but just credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks.
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