Ain't It Cool News (www.aintitcool.com)
Movie News

OLD SCHOOL Rocks One Reader

Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.

I saw this film tonight.

My face still hurts from laughing.

I will be writing more in the days ahead, but for now, I’d like to congratulate Todd Phillips. This film feels like a really funny, smart way to finally pay off the FRAT HOUSE experience from a few years back, and it gives Will Ferrell his single best role so far in any movie. It also makes great use of Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and a whole ton of funny comic performers.

And did I mention the mind-altering nudity by Ferrell? Or the animal tranquilizer?

I’ll have more thoughts soon. In the meantime, I agree with this guy for the most part...

I just got back from a screening of Old School, and I really have to say that it is one of the funniest films in recent memory. Anyway, the film is basically about Mitch (Luke Wilson) who after finding his girlfriend doing sexual group activities while he is away, moving into a house near a university. Mitch, Frank (Will Ferrell) and Beanie (Vince Vaughn) throw a college party at Mitch’s new house, and cause major havoc. The Dean of the school (Jeremy Piven), the day after the party, goes over the house and tells them that they must to leave, and the building will have be used for school activities. Beanie comes up with the idea to make it into a fraternity, and the movie is basically about this fraternity, and the Dean trying to close it down.

This film has one of the funniest scenes ever, involving a children’s party, a tranquilizer gun, and a pool. Ah, it was so funny, my eyes were tearing up, and I haven’t done that anytime that I can remember. The first three quarters of the film is just superb. I would go far enough to even say it is some of the best comedic film work ever. Well, maybe not that far, but in terms of slapstick comedy it definitely at the top of the genre. During the last quarter, the film begins to fall flat, having many scenes without any laughs, though many were intended.

All together the film is just awesome. And there are so many cameos in the film. They just pop up one after another. And the acting was great. Will Ferrell plays something he would play on SNL, but that is what he is great at, so there is no complaining. Luke Wilson is great as always. Vince Vaughn steals every scene he is in. Then there is Ellen Pompeo, who plays Nicole, Mitch’s love interest. I saw so much improvement over her performance in Moonlight Mile. I can tell she may be getting pretty big with all the roles she has lined up. That is as long as she gets out of the horrid acting she had in Moonlight Mile.

Eh, so I highly recommend this film, and I cannot wait for it to have a trailer. With the right marketing, I have a feeling this could be really big. In the end, this film deserves praise. There are not many truly comedic films made anymore. Hopefully they will be able to fix the dull moments in the film, to make it better than it already is.

It has been fun, and I promise no more short reviews in the future as everyone was pissed at me last time.

Until next time,

Parlgamads.

Readers Talkback
comments powered by Disqus
    + Expand All
  • October 9, 2002 8:45 AM CST

    Will Ferrel and Vince Vaughn?

    by Glass

    As college students? Aren't they a little old? I hope that's part of the joke...

  • October 9, 2002 8:50 AM CST

    PLANT?

    by a_guy

    Why does this smell fishy? it is to clean and to the point... BLECK!! Yet I will see it none the less, Vaughn in Made was completely incredible!! Everything Wilson has done with Anderson has been spectacular as well (Don't make me call my gang "CAW-CAW") Just funny man!

  • October 9, 2002 8:52 AM CST

    Yes, they are a little old to be college students...

    by Monkey Lover

    Hence the name, OLD SCHOOL. Do you see?

  • October 9, 2002 9:03 AM CST

    Jesus, I'm an idiot

    by Glass

    Yes, I see now, thank you.

  • October 9, 2002 9:08 AM CST

    That is okay.

    by Monkey Lover

    I forgive you.

  • October 9, 2002 9:47 AM CST

    Will Ferrell - FUNNY

    by hipcheck13

    Unlike the other SNL alumi whose movie's open to a TalkBack and who isn't remotely funny (coughadamsandlercough), Will Ferrell is hilarious. He reminds me of a cross between Phil Hartman and John Candy - just the subtle way he can deliver a line, his facial expressions, and the way he can be funny in even the shittiest movie. He's worth the price of admission alone.

  • October 9, 2002 9:53 AM CST

    Hipcheck

    by Glass

    I absolutely agree. Ferrell is the funniest person alive. I honestly mean that. And I dare anyone to challenge me. I will duel over it.

  • October 9, 2002 10:05 AM CST

    Alrighty!!!!

    by Chilli Kramer

    To many arty films on AICN today. A relief to see some film that's just out and gross out comedy, no doubt. That's what the world needs!!!

  • October 9, 2002 10:57 AM CST

    AlanOrmsby

    by Glass

    Yeah, maybe before Ferrell was born he did!

  • October 9, 2002 10:59 AM CST

    Hey, if Mori digs it, how can it be a plant?

    by Terry_1978

    I've heard a bit about Ferrell in this thing, and the man can be freaking hilarious when he wants to(if you watch adult swim, he does/did the voice of bob oblong alsp...too funny.) If Mori is down, I gotta check it out.

  • October 9, 2002 11:10 AM CST

    Ferrel = funny part 2

    by WeedyMcSmokey

    Yep, he brings the high-brow to the low-brow - "Shot in the ass by a Monkey! Oh, sweet irony!" And the lines they were throwing around for Action Newsman sound balls out spleen-splitting "My house was filled with poorly trained monkeys holding hand grenades.." He is a guy like Fred Willard - plays characters that are very comfortable in their own stupidity.

  • October 9, 2002 11:52 AM CST

    Neil Diamond - Storytellers

    by WeedyMcSmokey

    "I wrote this song after I killed a drifter in order to achieve an erection."...... "Well, one time my and my friends got really drunk, and, well, we went out driving and we hit a kid. We got pretty scared and drove off. Strange times. Anyway, the kid died - and that's when I wrote Sweet Caroline."

  • October 9, 2002 12:26 PM CST

    horrid acting?

    by ZO

    she was great in moonlight mile. who are you? lee strasberg?

  • October 9, 2002 1:21 PM CST

    I liked Ellen Pompeo the first time I saw her..

    by BillBrasky2620

    when she was called Renee Zellwegger. Seriously. In MOONLIGHT MILE she was so similar to Renee that it was as annoying and distracting as the similarity between Monica Potter and Julia Roberts.

  • October 9, 2002 1:25 PM CST

    KILBORN

    by SamBlackChvrch21

    Bring on Craig Kilborn. I think he has a cameo in this movie along with Artie Lang. I bet there scenes alone will dominate this movie.

  • October 9, 2002 1:38 PM CST

    Since you brought it up

    by Parlgamads

    Yeah, Craig Kilborn does have a cameo. And I don't know who Artie Lange is, so I cannot confirm, nor deny his cameo.

  • With N'Sync. "Kickin' it old school!"

  • October 9, 2002 1:53 PM CST

    Will Ferrel's mind-altering nudity? Interesting...

    by Man_of_Kerioth

    Is it full frontal nudity? Is his nut-bag shown? 'Cause I don't think that I could mentally recover from that... Seeing him in a red, white and blue g-string on SNL already cost me several months of intensive therapy.

  • October 9, 2002 1:58 PM CST

    Artie Lange

    by Glass

    Is a writer on the Howard Stern Radio show and was also on Norm MacDonald's failed sitcom on ABC.

  • October 9, 2002 2:19 PM CST

    Jerremy Piven??!!

    by zzzzzz

    Am I the only one who realized how absolutely hysterical it is that Jeremy Piven is playing the role of the "crusty old dean"???? Uhhhhh....PCU anyone? No? DOesn't ring a bell? He was "Droz"! The leader of the nare-do-wellers in that movie! HILARIOUS!!!!

  • October 9, 2002 2:45 PM CST

    Has anyone heard any news on Farrell in Elf?

    by Smurfette

    Can't wait to see Old School. Will is the bullocks.

  • October 9, 2002 3:28 PM CST

    i read

    by ZO

    the script and it was pretty lame but was still funny in some spots. typical comedy released nowadays. no real bad guy. the bad "dean" is not even really in it and how they tie him in to the 3 leads is too convenient. but i'll take a chance on the guys from road trip, Vaughn, luke, and will.

  • October 9, 2002 3:30 PM CST

    Nuditty!

    by Parlgamads

    No, it isn't full frontal. I agree, if it was we would all need therapy. It is just a lot of ass. I mean a lot.

  • October 9, 2002 4:59 PM CST

    "PLANT!" is the new "First!"

    by beartrap

    I wonder if the studio guys have started calling everyone a plant in order to lend the word less gravity when a real studio-sponsored review finds its way onto this site...

  • October 9, 2002 6:07 PM CST

    Did someone just call Will Ferrell 'subtle'?

    by Cash Bailey

    I've had explosive gastric more subtle that Will Ferrell.

  • October 9, 2002 7:11 PM CST

    this movie will be the "mad note."

    by bootyschool

    i have no idea what "mad note" means but my 12 year old brother says it when he likes something. vince vaughan, luke wilson, and will ferrell? how can they fuck this up? i don't it's possible. vaughan kills in swingers and made. luke wilson will be a great straight man for vaughan. and will ferrell? the guy is fucking fearless. i love him. i'm sure todd philips has got some funny shit here.

  • October 9, 2002 7:49 PM CST

    Weedy's Dead On - Willard is A Genius, Too...

    by hipcheck13

    ...too many hilarious, brilliant Willard things to mention - but two of my favorites are his cameo in "Spinal Tap" ("Of course my hair's not regulation - I'd better not walk too close or people'll think I'm part of the band. I'm kidding, of course") and, recently, "Best in Show" ("I kid the doctor; he's got a great sense of humor"). Oh yeah, and reminding me of Will's Neil Diamond on VH1 trip - God, that was FUNNY.

  • October 9, 2002 8:57 PM CST

    Isn't Elisha Cuthbert in this film? And if so, if she neked&

    by BigTuna

    She's so damn hot!

  • October 9, 2002 10:17 PM CST

    'Ferrell's Ass' should be claimed as a User ID

    by I Hate Movies

    yeah.

  • October 9, 2002 10:57 PM CST

    Ellen Pompeo = Karen Page!

    by Johnny Storm

    She's playing Karen Page in the Daredevil movie. Me thinks she hot too!!!

  • October 10, 2002 2:04 AM CST

    SNL will now suck

    by liljuniorbrown

    I will still watch it and give this cast a chance because i'm sure they work hard,but Will Ferell leaving was the worst thing that could ever happen.I watched "The best of Will Ferell" like two weeks ago,i swear i have never laughed out loud so much in my life.When he does Neil Diamond or Harry Carey,it dosn't get any better than that

  • October 10, 2002 2:37 AM CST

    Elisha Cuthbert

    by Parlgamads

    Yeah, she is in the film, and yeah, she is extremely hot. And she plays a...nevermind, I am not going to spoil it for you.

  • October 10, 2002 11:35 AM CST

    Black Richard Mulligan

    by SnapT

    BIGFOOT FOREVER

  • October 10, 2002 4:45 PM CST

    The review sucked

    by axelfoley

    Were there any other reasons this guy liked the movie?