Old School Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
All the fun of college, none of the education.
Why do men act like boys? Because they can.
Mitch, Frank and Beanie are disillusioned with their personal lives begining when Mitch's nymphomanic girlfriend, Heidi, cheats on him, then former party animal Frank gets married, but unwilling to get go of his wild life, and Beanie is a family man seeking to reclaim his wild and crazy youth. Beanie suggests that they form their own fraternity in Mitch's new house on a college campus to re-live their glory days by bringing together a variety of misfit college students, losers, middle-aged and elderly retirees as their new friends and later try to avoid being evicted by the new Dean of Students, Pritchard, whom still holds a personal grudge against all three of them.
| Todd Phillips |
6.90 out of 10 (34377 votes)
Visitor Reviews
surprisingly funny
posted on 28 Aug 2009I got dragged to this movie, but was glad I went. I'm a fan of Will
Ferrell, but was scared it would be a disappointment. The movie doesn't rely on the plot as much as it just has a lot of funny moments. Vince Vaughan, who I didn't really like before, was hilarious and Will Ferrell was rather restrained, which made him even funnier. Definitely worth seeing, and some parts have been making me laugh to myself for the past three days.
There was a good film in thar somewhere!!
posted on 10 Aug 2009Of course Will Farrell was apeing the immortal John Belushi of Animal House/Blues Brothers, I didn't realise this until the end, he doesn't do a bad job, but can never be the Real Mackoy!This film was a very agreable way to pass a couple of hours, but didn't you feel there was some spark missing?The Dean wasn't realistic (a key failure); the main character was too laid-back; the frat-tests were silly, also when did they ever really get to enjoy their frat? They didn't let Snoop Dog finish his thing.Yet the theme of this film was original with loads of potential. Let's hope the Old School II (?) learns from this.In any case I fear I've been ruined by Animal House!
"You forgot your birthday, didn't you?"; This party is overrated
posted on 21 Jul 2009Todd Phillips' most recent movie, The Hangover, has been getting really positive reviews (Roger Ebert gave it ***1/2), is already for the IMDb users one of the top 250 movies of all time and well for me it looks quite attractive (liked a lot the stuff with Mike Tyson from the trailer) and thankfully it will be released in my country just some months after its release in the US (not sure but I think it's coming in August). So I will be seeing The Hangover on the big screen, meanwhile I decided to give a shot to this Todd Phillip movie, the 2003 Old School. I always see the Old School R4 DVD on offer, I liked the other two movies from Todd I saw before (I have desires to re-watch Starsky & Hutch and I hope it is still really good for me and School for Scoundrels was a good if not special entertainment) and it has Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell starring so yes, it was about time to check this movie, I bought its cheap DVD and saw it just today…Old School is never hilarious, quite a disappointing (and overrated – it has 7.0 in the IMDb user rating) party. Wilson, Vaughn and Ferrell stars as Mitch, Bernard and Frank the tank respectively, the first of them just discovered his girlfriend (sexy Juliette Lewis) in the middle of not her very first orgy, Frank the tank just got married and Bernard, well he has already a family. These three will be partying as soon as the silliest stuff begins, I mean as soon as Mitch gets a new place rapper Snoop Dog will be there, the tank will be running naked through the neighborhood, etc. Both Ferrell and Vaughn have some funny bits (as the movies goes on Vaughn's funny stuff is less and less) but there's nothing really memorable about the fraternity, and in consequence the fraternity vs. the dean stuff doesn't delivers a damn memorable thing. So I saw Old School and I can say it is not something I would like to see again, still Sean William Scott has a cool look as Peppers.
Funniest Movie in a Long time
posted on 15 Jul 2009My biggest concern is that I might oversell this movie. That could make it less
enjoyable for some. Having said that, I still haven't decided when I laughed so
hard at a movie. I mean, doubled over, side-spitting laughter. And not just a
couple of times. The laughs run throughout the movie. And it has a few of those
moments where you are laughing and the joke continues but instead of losingsteam it builds to even bigger laughs. That is the key to a great comedy and few
people can pull that off. My date actually punched me so maybe it will resonate
more with men that women. Will Ferrel just bumped up his future paychecks by a big, big number as hesteals this movie and is responsible for most of the funniest scenes. But the
cast solid across the board. I'm not one to bash the critics but I will say that the
ones trashing this movie don't know comedy when its in their face. Sure there are some problems with the story and the ending seems rushed but I
promise it is a hell of a ride.
ehh...wait till cable
posted on 29 Jun 2009Here lies the college party movie of the season, from the director of the successful and uproarious Road Trip, but for some reason Old School never seems to have the energy or humor that could be expected. The premise has promise of course- Wilson plays Mitch, a guy who comes home to find his girlfriend hosting an orgy. When his big-time, speaker store friend Beanie (Vaughn) hears of this development, he dutifully encourages him, along with their friend Frank (Ferrell) to start up a fraternity in Wilson's new house which is right next to campus and has everything to with partying and nothing to do with studying. Soon their pledges come from all walks of life; even a ninety-year old joins in on the fun. The laughs come in spurts, but a problem is that the film rests most of its laughs on the shoulders of Ferrell. And while he's dependable throughout with his style (two highlights include when he's drunk running through the streets and another is when he burns out at a party following an end to his marriage), Wilson acts like he usually does in the B comedies he stars in that only appear to be on the shelves at blockbuster, and Vaughn's character comes off as the rather obnoxious thirty-something businessman turned party dude not many want to associate with after five minutes. Jeremy Piven also comes up short-changes as he tries to pull a 180 from his role in PCU. It wasn't a waste of a comedy, but less than I expected; Snoop Dogg makes such a brief cameo he doesn't have time to mouth a shizzel before exiting.
C+
a quasi-intelligent montage of animal house and sandler themes
posted on 25 Jun 2009I read a review in the Tampa Tribune that recommended watching Animal House for the 100th time rather than screening this movie. Although Animal House will forever be the yardstick by which all fraternity comedies are measured, I would have to disagree with the Trib. This movie is definitely worth a screening.What critics often fail to understand (or at least ignore in order to remain marketable) is that a comedy is what it is. Since moving pictures have existed for approximately a century (and the same basic formula for all comedic plots has persisted since antiquity), folks need not expect that a comedy be original. folks need only hope that a comedy refreshingly tweak old themes in order to induce frequent bouts of belly laughter, which is exactly what this flick does.The combination of will farrell, luke wilson, and vince vaughan is sheer genius. farrell's frat-boy throwback rants are priceless, and the tranquilizer dart scene featuring "stiffler," a pony, and a zany allusion to The Graduate is singlehandedly worth the price of admission. True to form, every word out of Vince Vaughan's mouth is hilarious, not necessarily for the substance but for the sheer obnoxious self-assuredness of vaughan's delivery. Just picture him standing on a diner table spouting off about Favreau being "All Growed's Up" and you know what I mean. And Luke Wilson once again works his quirky straight man magic. My only misgiving concerns the casting of Jeremy Piven as the evil dean. Not that he didn't perform adequately, but in my opinion his performances in Singles, PCU, and Grosse Pointe Blanke necessitate the casting of Piven as a somewhat "cooler" character in a movie of this genre, despite his middle age.In any event, ignore the naysayers. this movie kicks the crap out of van wilder, and is worth the price of admission, notwithstanding it's unsubtle borrowings from animal house and its progeny.
Instant Classic
posted on 21 Jun 2009This is one of the funniest and well-written movies ever made. The casting, from Luke Wilson (who was incredible as Mitch)to Jeremy Piven (his best comedic effort, very underrated) could not have been more perfect. Vince Vaughn was amazing with his cutting dry wit. And, of course the drunken teddy-bear performance by Will Ferrell was unforgettable. But along with a great cast with tremendous chemistry you have to have great writing, directing, and performances by everyone in every role to achieve classic status. This movie has done that. Critics of this comedy heavyweight see it again and look a bit deeper, it is wonderful. Surely it will be quoted at parties as often as Animal House was or even as much as Caddyshack is quoted on golf courses. It should only gain momentum as time goes by and people get to see it again and again (the more you see it, the funnier it is). It will become one of those movies where if it's on you can't turn it off.
Yes, it's stupid, but...
posted on 19 Jun 2009who cares? If you go to a movie and expect to see Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, and Will Farrell in something other than a totally ridiculous movie that pays homage to "Animal House" and, oddly enough "Fight Club", then you are out of touch with reality."Old School" isn't meant to be, and (thankfully) doesn't try to be anything more than slight, stupid, entertainment. If you know this going in, you will not be disappointed. No it is not as funny as "Animal House". Nor are the characters as memorable or charming. But there are enough truly funny moments in this movie to carry it thru to the end.The three leads work well off each other. The supporting cast is fairly forgettable."Old School" won't have you forgetting Otter and Flounder or Bluto, but it will keep you smiling and laughing.6 out of 10
pretty funny...
posted on 17 Jun 2009A very funny film! Nothing special, but it achieves what it set out to do - entertain! Stiffler's mullet (a white trash horse abuser), the BJ teacher and Blue are the funniest! Not for kids though, it's strictly 18s only here!!! B++ very amusing movie!!! The colleage dean is so annoying that you'll want to actually hit someone like that in real life!! My brother borrowed this film for me, and I have to thank him as it was very funny, but again it's not really my type of film which is why i'll only give it a B++! Sorry guys :P It won't win any Oscars, but it's worth watching--- or better yet, see RETURN OF THE KING!!!
This is a funny movie
posted on 11 Jun 2009Hey everyone, this is my first review. I rented Old School because i love a good 'R' college comedy and was in the mood to laugh; and it payed off. I got the Unrated verson and made the mistake of watching it with my family... I might have been the only one who liked it besides my younger brothers. This is not a slapstick comedy and its not a dark one either. Rent this and watch it with your friends.8 out of 10
Brainless old men playing at frat boys comedy lacks direction, to put it politely.
posted on 01 Jun 2009Every single moment of Old School is wrong. The director should have asked for a re-take on every single line delivery. Not a single thing is done right. If i can see this - why could no-one on the set at the time? A real waste of time, Old School is yet another movie which only works as the movie you bring to it, the movie you imagine it to be.Example, Will Ferrell (plumper than in Elf) gives someone a toaster, without realising that that exact toaster was a present that friend gave to him a while back. The scene was a funny idea - and its only funny if you imagine it really happening. To you. The way its executed in the film betrays incompetence. Even from Will Ferrell - whose comedy timing is usually superb.Clearly the words "let's do another take" were not in this director's vocabulary.1/10. This held absolutely no value for me. I hated every minute of it. Will appeal only to brainless college frat-boys. Not men the age of the characters in this film.
Where's the rest?
posted on 28 May 2009That is the question of the day, isn't it? Who ran away with the rest of 'Old School'?! A semi-legitimate movie was ruined by a cut-off ending. I honestly believe that it was cut short right in the midst of the climax. The timing in this movie was horrible as everything seemed to be coming at you at the wrong time. The main guy (Wilson, I think)... Seemed uncomfortable in his role and didn't really fit in at all, but then again nothing in this movie really 'fit'. The movie was great until they started doing what they promised they would in the previews, act like total idiots. It was something along the lines of 'The Little Rascals'-for grown-ups. The humor was off-beat and at times tasteless, the characters were foolish.... What more can I say; this movie flat out ate.... well it was bad. 3.5/10 stars.
Mindless entertainment but unorignal
posted on 22 May 2009This comedy has a trio of thirtysomething friends (Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn) reliving their youths by starting up a fraternity near a college campus. From the director of "Road Trip" this one is a fairly amusing comedy that tries to be "Animal House" but never rises anywhere near that level. Still, it has its moments and the cast is game, even if the storyline feels fairly familiar and the material lacks originality. GRADE: C+
Very Silly
posted on 20 May 2009Mitch Martin (Luke Wilson) returns home earlier from a seminar and finds his mate Heidi (Juliette Lewis) in a gangbang. He quits his relationship and moves to a comfortable house in the campus of a university. However, the foolish Dean Gordon Pritchard (Jeremy Piven), who studied in the same high school as him, tries to make him leave the place since he is not a student anymore. Mitch's friends Bernard Campbell (Vince Vaugh) and Frank Ricard (Will Ferrell) convince him to transform his place in a fraternity, giving loud parties to the community. Frank has just got married, but he is not living with his wife anymore because he saw him drunk and running naked on the street a few days after their marriage. Beanie is married, has a successful business and moves everywhere with his baby. Mitch meets his former crush Nicole (Ellen Pompeo) and falls in love with her again. This movie is very silly. There are some laughable parts, but the story is very absurd. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): 'Dias Incríveis' ('Incredible Days')
Great Guy Movie Castrated by Sub-Par Love Story
posted on 18 May 2009Old School has it all - the glorification of excessive drinking (second only to Dazed & Confused), t & a, college-minus-homework, the 'earmuffs' scene and Will Ferrell's ass... just like the good ol' days. Unfortunately, it also has a love story that even the biggest losers and hopeless romantics surely must see as nonsense. In a blatant attempt to make amends and court the female demographic unfortunate enough to get dragged into this movie by their boyfriends, the energy on which this movie runs (that being testosterone and only testosterone) is devastatingly compromised. No, this will not join the ranks of Wilde's comedies or even 'Caddyshack', but it does give great joy to men between the ages of 15 and 35, or at least in the moments between the lovey-dovey sap. Why ruin that? Who hasn't seen a love story just like this repeated a million times? I'll sum it up: a down-on-his-luck guy, likes beautiful girl, she kind of likes him but she's taken by some a**hole, her out-of-wedlock daughter loves poor single guy, mean boyfriend cheats on beautiful girl, yells at little daughter and makes life hard for single guy w/ some comment like, "Guys don't tell on other guys". Every moment that Ellen Pompeo is on screen is humorless, unoriginal and couldn't have possibly made any female in the audience feel validated. No offense to Ms. Pompeo... it's the fault of the writers, or whoever forced the writers to insert her weak role into this otherwise giddy male romp. So the next time Hollywood makes a movie like this, it would be best to leave out the cheesy love trash or at least make it viewable. I don't remember 'Man in the Moon' or 'Mystic Pizza' being interspersed with a random naked KY wrestling match or a sudden burst of a Matrix-style gunfight to please the male demographic, so let me put it plainly: let the girls enjoy their movies and let the guy's enjoy theirs.
Lots of setup...but no punchlines!
posted on 10 May 2009I consider myself to have an off-beat, wacky sense of humour - being a big fan of such films as "Kingpin", "Happy Gilmore" - and my pick for funniest film ever...Adam Sandler's "Billy Madison"."Old School" just wasn't funny. I fidgeted a lot in this film. I looked at my watch a lot. I felt embarrassed to have recommended we see this to my friends who accompanied me. I felt confused when the audience laughed at an old man dropping dead in a pool of jelly. I felt confused when the audience laughed at a man shooting himself in the neck with a dart gun and falling into a swimming pool.Every scene in this film had a reasonable "comic" build-up. But every scene failed to deliver any sort of punchline. Vince Vaughn still had that "Swingers" spark, but the script just gave him nowhere to go. He would have been funnier if he'd been left to ad-lib! Being from the UK, I wasn't familiar with Will Farrell, but I found him annoying and rude, rather than wacky or funny.Avoid this at all costs...I guarantee whatever you do instead will be a better use of your 90 minutes than this unfunny lame rubbish. If you're after a good wacky comedy, go rent "Billy Madison" (which features a similar but far funnier climax) or "Kingpin" with Woody Harrelson.p.s. only thing that was good was Snoop Dog's cameo performing a cover version of Eric B and Rakim's classic 80s rap "Paid in Full" - unfortunately the cameo was far too short.
Some laughs, but nothing spectacular
posted on 08 May 2009If you're expecting something original and ground breaking from this movie, save your money. I didn't care much for Luke Wilson or Jeremy Piven, but Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn saved this one, along with some smaller (and surprising) names that popped up (Andy Dick, Craig Kilborn). Not ALL of the small roles were as funny as they could have been (Sean William Scott, who only generates laughs due to his haircut) I don't want to seem too down on the movie, because I DID enjoy it. Maybe not a film for everyone, and a bit predictable, but it's a comedy! To me, the laughs are more important than the story, so don't be too picky about it, and try to have fun when you watch it. To me, this falls into the "rental" category. Worth seeing, but don't spend an arm and a leg to see it at the theater.
Great fun simple comedy.
posted on 26 Apr 2009Basically this is a great comedy to watch late at night. It's nothing too fancy or original but it's basically good quality entertainment, from a great genre director and a real solid cast, filled with some of the best actors currently active in the genre.The real most surprising thing about "Old School" is its cast. It's not only filled with some great leading actors but also lots of famous faces in small roles and cameos, such as Juliette Lewis, Elisha Cuthbert, Seann William Scott and Harve Presnell, among others. But of course the movie gets carried by the three main leading men; Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn. Will Ferrell is such a show stealer! He has the best moments and lines in the movie. And Vince Vaughn once again shows that he is a great actor actually.Perhaps the concept of the movie called for some more and better thought of jokes but nevertheless the movie doesn't feel as if it's not entertaining enough already now. In the end not all of the plot-lines get wrapped up properly or satisfactorily but you know, in a comedy you just tend to forgive this sort of storytelling flaws.What I liked about the movie is that it greatly mixes the comical and the more dramatic and personal elements of the movie. The one doesn't distract from the other, which is I think due to the professional genre directing of genre specialist Todd Phillips, who also directed movies such as "Road Trip" and "Starsky & Hutch". It's probably not a comedy that will go in the books as the most hilarious or best one of all time but the movie serves its purpose and that's to simply entertaining the viewer, with more than a couple of good laughs.6/10
So disappointing
posted on 30 Aug 2009The trailers for this movie made it look like it was a good comedy, but if you've seen all the trailers, you've seen most of the jokes. Luke Wilson is not funny. Vince Vaughn is not funny. Will Farrell is the only funny person in this movie. It does have some pretty good topless women though.