Review of:Old School (2003)
Director:Todd Phillips
Rating:R for some strong sexual content, nudity and language
Starring:Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Juliette Lewis, Ellen Pompeo
Official Site
Has there ever been a time in your life when you would have liked to relive the glory of your past? Has the phrase “If only I could go back then with what I know now” come out of your mouth in reference to your blown opportunities in youth? Well this movie has the intestinal fortitude to ride with that idea like a Cadillac on the strip.
Old School reunites the team that brought everyone the film “Roadtrip”, with Todd Phillips directing, and Daniel Goldberg, Joe Medjuck and Phillips producing. Since Roadtrip was a movie that seemed to have somewhat of a following this film only serves the purpose of cementing this team as the top of the line.
The premise of the film goes something like this. Three thirty-something year old friends (Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn) have the opportunity, no dare I say it, the responsibility to relive the glory days of their college years. When Mitch (Luke Wilson) finds himself out o his own again he moves into a house just off campus. Mitch is just the calm before the storm as his two outlandish friends Frank The Tank (Will Ferrell), and Beanie (Vince Vaughn) come in and make every males fantasy a reality.
With this new unofficial Fraternity this brotherhood will bring a havoc unknown to college life, and maybe be able to put to rest the question for us all, “If only I could go back then with what I know now.”
Much wasn’t expected when I went to check out this movie. Most of the main characters I had seen before with Luke Wilson being in a film that I had high opinions of which was The Royal Tenenbaums. Will Ferrell was always a comic that I appreciated, but that I had never seen in any endearing role on the big screen. Vince Vaughn has the power to be a great bad guy as he did in Domestic Disturbance, but could he handle a top spot on this comic adventure? Who would have thought that when you put these guys together you would have non-stop laughter. The chemistry between the actors is terrific with Luke Wilson pretty much the straight man to the shenanigans that are going on. This might be one of Will Ferrell’s endearing roles as Frank The Tank. His domination of the laugh meter is never more apparent than in this film, and it was reminiscent to me of John Belushi in Animal House. A tough comparison I know, but one that I will stand by. Vince Vaughn’s character is the straight from the hit character that says what he wants to say, and does what he wants to do.
Alongside the three main characters are a host of memorable supporting actors. Whenever the focus leaves the main three the supporting cast always runs with the ball when given the opportunity. This film is a step up from what has been presented in the recent past in the Farrelly Era of any thing goes comedy, and brings it back to the routine. I’ll end this review by saying that routine is not bad, especially when the quality is this high.
