Old School [DVD] [2003]

I can't sit and watch American Pie...it's just pointless teenage comedy...nothing I can relate to there. I expected the same sort of thing with Old School but being a Vaughn/Ferrell/Wilson fan I thought I'd give it a go...never expecting to enjoy it let alone love it as much as I do.

The plot is routine...but it's the characters - and the excellent cast who play them - that make the movie. If you're a guy in your thirties or a girl who knows guys in their thirties you will relate to the three main characters. Guys who have suddenly realised they're supposed to be grown up and that for the rest of their lives they are expected to behave as responsible adults. It's the kind of shock to the system you get at that age...playtime's over...nothing between you, crown green bowling and daily doses of Countdown.

So our three heros decide to rebel...they take a last grasp at being dumb, irresponsible lads. The poignant thing is that, bar perhaps Frank, they actually end the movie accepting that maybe growing up isn't that bad after all.

So intentionally or not this movie does have a point to make...and it's done with great affection.

Added to the fact that it is also totally hilarious...and I mean laugh out loud, still smile thinking about it days later, hilarious. Also check out the DVD commentary - Vaughn, Wilson, Ferrel and director Todd Phillips....very very funny. The other DVD extras are really funny too.

If you have a sense of humour and you're anywhere near being a 30-something you cannot help but love this movie.

'I can see Blue. He's glorious'
Comedy genius...

Alright it may not be the most highbrow of films but it certainly delivers on the belly-laughs front. There a quote's a plenty contained within and are often recited between my housemates ("we're going streaking!!") The characters are instantly likeable especially Will Ferrell's "Frank 'the Tank'" who often bring memories of many of our own drunken nights back! Vince vaughn is great as the cynical married man ("i'm married, do i look happy to you?"), and Luke Wilson turning in a strong performance as the gutted Mitch.

There are plenty of gags here, including a brilliant breeze-block off the side of a building moment, and the KY jelly wrestling tournament is something i'm sure every bloke wants in his basement! Like most teen movies around, the ending is somewhat predictable, but then when you've laughed so hard from the start, who really cares?!

In summary, the characters work really well with each other, with Frank being nearly everyone's favourite and is superbly played by Ferrell (go check him out in Starsky and Hutch, another star-turn there too!) the plot, although somewhat formulaic, certainly trundles along nicely with plenty of eye-candy (the simply luuuuuurrrvely Elisha Cuthbert) and many others, with enough gags and witty scripting to keep you chuckling all the way through!

Even if the concept of fraternities doesn't really exist in the UK, i'm gonna make a damn good stab at starting one!

All together now- "we're going up through the quad, and into the gymnasium!!"

Brilliant!..

If you like:
Dumb & Dumber
Dodgeball
Happy Gilmore
Caddyshack
Starsky & Hutch
Meet the Parents
etc

Then you will love Old School

From the brilliant version of Total Eclipse of the Heart by the wedding band at the beginning of the film you know your watching a classic!