Directed by : Todd Phillips
Starring: Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn
Old School is a movie in the teen sex comedy vein, but with adults trying to take part in the festive debauchery. If you are looking for upscale humor and dry wit, this is not the movie for you. On the other hand, KY Jelly wrestling and streaking happen in this film. Who doesn’t like that?
The Movie
Old School is the story of three middle age men trying to relive their college experience. Of course antics ensue involving girls and drinking. This movie tries to make an entry into fraternity comedies like Animal House. While nothing can live up to or surpass that classic film, Old School is definitely funny and when not compared to other films, is a funny romp.
Again, Old School does nothing new, but it does the standards well. I really enjoyed this film and it is an example of funny toilet humor, which I’m a fan of at times. There are many funny moments in this film that are indeed crude, but never totally over the top. I feel it is between Van Wilder and American Pie in this respect. It is a perfect date movie for comedy fans since there are crude moments, but nothing that will make someone disgusted.
Will Ferrell plays his usual over the top self and his performance is definitely funny. However, if you are not a Will Ferrell fan or a fan of his sort of comedy, his acting will not change your mind. His brand of humor really makes me laugh though and I’m not afraid to say so. Frank the Tank (his character’s alter ego) really makes this film. Besides, the streaks and gets picked up by his none too thrilled wife will saying buck naked “Is KFC still open?” This is a prime example of his character in the film. Frank struggles with married life with hilarious results.
My favorite is Vince Vaughn’s role as a burnt out father that wavers between over parenting and under parenting. He is perfect for this role. His deadpan tone of voice sounds the same ridiculing his friends for cursing in front of his son as it does making the moves on a coed. It really works for him.
Luke Wilson’s character is the typical straight man throughout the film. Interestingly enough, Vaughn and Ferrell’s bad influence drives most of the comedy. However, Wilson does his character rather well. Throughout the film, his struggle to have fun shows in small fun bursts. Plus, he does the best downer whine voice of “Who are all these people in my house?”.
While the gags are over the top and the antics silly, this film does have a message that you can never go back to your younger college days. Of course it takes a bit to get to this point, but the ride is the most fun. We get to live vicariously through these characters and their gross misconduct.
For a fun movie that doesn’t make you think and has a happy ending, this is a great movie. If you want Oscar winning moments, you really should look elsewhere…..and loosen up. Old School hearkens back to a time when comedy wasn’t politically correct, just funny. There is no subtlety in this film and there shouldn’t be. With teen sex comedies never delivering on the jokes and blanketing the market, the Unrated version of Old School is definitely a shot in the arm for modern comedy. One that liberally uses the elements that make us laugh, even if we don’t want to admit it or not.
8/10
The Video
Being a Blu-Ray ups the ante on video playback. The colors look amazing and full of depth, but not over the top. I watched the video in 720p, but playback is available in full 1080p high definition. However, the special features are in standard definition. This is a small qualm with video playback. The movie looks amazing, but isn’t blowing off any HD doors. For a movie like this, it is perfectly fine.
8/10
The Audio
Audio is presented in 5.1 Dolby True HD for English and Dolby Digital 5.1 for French and Spanish. The sound is rather nice on this feature. I noticed that the presentation separates various sounds well. Nothing really overshadows throughout the film. Just like the video, standard presentation, but really good.
8/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
The box art is the same as the HD DVD and DVD release of the film. Nothing original. However, the fact that it is Unrated is prevalent, which I enjoy. A lot of these sort of films hides the unrated and the consumer doesn’t get the version they desire. The case is also a standard Blu Ray, nothing outside normal packaging.
There is a feature commentary that is interesting, but really takes away from the film if you are watching it for the first time. There are tons of deleted scenes and outtakes, a must for a comedy. One of my favorite features is a spoof on Inside the Actors Studio. I felt it was a nice touch.
7/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8/10
The Review
The Movie 8/10
The Video 8/10
The Audio 8/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 7/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8/10