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| Old School
Year: 2003
Classification: Comedy
Directed:
- Todd Phillips
Actors/Actresses:
- Luke Wilson
- Will Ferrell
- Vince Vaughn
Sort of an Animal House 25th anniversary tribute.
"Old School" brings back the fun and irreverence of the days of "Animal House" that so few movies seem willing to revisit. Comedy these days seems built around 'paint-by-numbers' formulas or 'let's see how much we can gross people out' shock characteristics. Current releases like "Boat Trip" and "Bringing Down the House" fall in the former category while any movie involving Tom Green or the Farrelly Brothers falls into the latter category. In "Old School", it's refreshing to see a movie that takes a 'devil may care' attitude with its plot and characters while also have the common sense to push the envelope where appropriate without ever crossing the line (following "Animal House's" lead).<BR><BR> In "Old School", Mitch (played by Luke Wilson) is depressed after a breakup with his longtime girlfriend. He moves into a new house near the local college campus and his two best friends, Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank 'the Tank' (Will Ferrell) decide to cheer him up by using his new house to throw a wild 'freedom' party. In a party complete with nubile co-eds, binge drinking, and a performance by Snoop Dogg, the party becomes legendary and draws the ire of the college dean, who just happens to be some nerd that Mitch, Beanie, and Frank tormented in high school. He attempts to take the house from Mitch by claiming it can only be used for campus-related events. This sparks Beanie's imagination to create the most unorthodox fraternity in existence to circumvent the dean's ruling. From there, "Old School" engages in the type of 'us against the administration' hi-jinx that made "Animal House" such a riot. <BR><BR> Will Ferrell gives a performance worthy of John Belushi with his Bluto-esque take as Frank the Tank, whose relapse back into his college days fractures his brand new marriage. Yet, it doesn't seem to affect Frank too too much. Ferrell, as witnessed by his years on Saturday Night Live, is one of the more gifted physical comedians performing today. He has the lunacy of a Jim Carrey without any of the pretentiousness or self-importance that seems to plague Carrey. Vince Vaughn gives another winning performance as a typical, sleazy salesman type who remains just enough on the side of respectability that you still like the guy. It's classic Vaughn. Luke Wilson's performance isn't quite as memorable, but his lovable-loser demeanor fits the role of Mitch perfectly. There are a number of other supporting characters that, while barely more than one-dimensional, make this film a winner (Blue, the 80-year fraternity pledge is a personal favorite). <BR><BR> With world events becoming more somber and depressing and with movies becoming increasingly disappointing, it's quite a relief a no-frills good time can be had at a theater. "Old School" lets the audience feel that kind of relief.
what? unrated? whats the difference?
This movie is hilarious, and I would give the movie itself 4 our of 5 stars. But there is hardly any difference between the unrated cut and the R rated cut of the movie. When you have topless women on the menu and on the back of the cover, one might be mislead to think there was tons more nudity, when in reality there are 2 brief scenes with any type of nudity (besides will ferrel's butt scene). This movie could have easily passed the R rating cut, as the unrated thing is nothign but a marketing ploy. I bought the movie for laughs and definately not for sex, but for someone who does, the "UNRATED AND OUT OF CONTROL" part is quite misleading.
Make that 3 1/2 stars ...
The last few times I went out to a movie, I saw films that depicted melodrama and violence. "Old School" was a very good diversion of not only the last two movies I saw, but a distraction from the real world. We all need it once in a while, for those of us who appreciate silly comedies like "Old School". Also, fans of Will Ferrell are going to laugh their butts off while seeing him streak. Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn also star, and I thought they were all very funny and entertaining in their roles. As usual, Wilson plays the straight man, but I can't help but adore him. He is sweet and sexy at the same time. After Wilson's character, Mitch, finds out his girl, played by Juliette Lewis, is cheating on him with internet buddies, he moves away. The house he is renting is right near a college campus.<BR>Ferrell's character, Frank the tank, a newlywed, is still not ready to settle down. When Beanie, Vaughn's character suggestst they start a fraternity in Mitch's house, Frank's marriage quickly dissipates after the Fraternity starts.<BR>If you like mindless, dumb comedies with some hilarious cameos, this is right up your alley.<BR>I recommend this!! GO have fun...
Buy Old School at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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