Rating: 
Summary: All the insanity you'd expect ... and more!
Review: Okay, let's get this out of the way first ... I don't typically find Jack Black very funny and Colin Hanks is Tom Hanks' son so that creates natural skepticism. Having said that, I really liked this movie! Don't look for rocket science here or gushy, gooey romance. But there is plenty of humor, especially if you don't live in Orange County. If you're a non-Californian and you're of the prominent opinion that Orange County (and CA in general) is full of flakes and crazy people, this is the movie for you. The entire movie pokes tongue-in-cheek humor at this locale. Colin Hanks' character is believable and funny. Jack Black adds just the right amount of off-color humor to offset Hanks' straight-man humor. The supporting cast lends plenty of comedic support (esp. the parents -- John Lithgow of Third Rock among others and the mother from Home Alone).The premise of the movie is as follows ... Colin Hanks' character is a surfer dude turned intellectual upon becoming enamored with a book he finds on the beach (Kevin Kline has a cameo in the film as the book's author). Jack Black is Hanks' wastoid brother. Their parents are divorced -- the father is a wealthy womanizer with a twinkie of a new wife and the mother is a bit of an alcoholic who is married to a guy who she hopes will kick the bucket soon (she married for the money). The film is about Hanks' quest to get into Stanford and study under the writer of his favorite book. His plans are maylaid throughout the movie, particularly with Black's well-intentioned, but horrible assistance. In the end, things turn out well as with all comedies, but the road is absurdly and humorously bumpy. As for the DVD itself ... the extras are good. Be sure to watch all the trailers because some of the scenes didn't actually appear in the movie but were funny. The deleted scenes are worth watching as well. Don't believe the lack of hype and box office bucks, this is a good one!
Rating: 
Summary: It's Not Just a Movie......It's a State of Mind
Review: "Orange County" is a great comedy that both includes witty humor, and stupid humor at the same time. I was very surprised with this movie, and I really enjoyed it. Even seeing it again, I was still pretty amazed with how good this movie really is. The movie is about a high school student, (Colin Hanks), who wants to go to Stanford University; to become a successful writer and to get the hell out of Orange County! But things get out of control when his admission records get mixed up and Stanford rejects him. Knowing that this mistake must be resolved, he'll do just about anything to set things right. With the help of his girlfriend and stoner brother, (Jack Black), Shaun Brumder is about to find out that getting out of Orange County just might not be the easiest thing in the world. The movie also includes stars like Catherine O'Hara, John Lithgow, and cameoes from Harold Ramis and Chevy Chase. This is a very funny movie with a great script. This is a comedy that I think can appeal to everyone. Though it is PG-13 for some crude humor and drug content, this isn't the most outrageous or offensive movie. I wouldn't let really little kids see it, but it's nowhere near as bad as the "American Pie" movies. Colin Hanks does a great job on his part, and yes, Jack Black is hillarious. In fact, I think he's the funniest in the movie. The DVD is okay. The picture and sound quality is great, but it lacks in special features. It contains 4 deleted scenes, comentary from the director and writer, theatrical trailer of the movie, and more. I think they could've included a little more, but it still doesn't take away any enjoyment from the movie. "Orange County" is a great movie and a funny one at that. If you want to see a great comedy that has a great story and cast, this is the movie for you. I really like this movie, and I plan to watch it again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Funny movie
Review: I had low expectations going into it, but I enjoyed the movie. Jack Black had a great character. Watch and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Funny¿
Review: Overall, "Orange County" is yet another dumb, but pretty funny entry into the "teen comedy" genre. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea ( or bag of weed if you will), but if you're on the lookout for a mindless yet fairly harmless comedy, this is your ticket. THE STORY: Shaun Brumder, straight "A" student and aspiring writer (Tom's boy Colin Hanks) desperately wants to get into Stanford University and was a sure-in until fate (in the form of his moronic high school college counselor and his even more heinous dysfunctional family) conspired against him. The rest of the movie follows the misadventures of Shaun, his girlfriend Ashley (Sissy Spacek's girl Schuyler Fisk) and his stoner brother Lance (Jack Black) as they take matters into their own hands and try to convince Stanford to give Shaun a chance (as disaster after hilarious disaster strikes all around them...) THE ANALYSIS: Well, the story's premise is decent and the hilarious problems that befall Shaun and crew is pretty sad and hilarious at the same time. The Jack Black character is the one that drives the movie. BEST SCENES: 1.Getting High with the Dean of Admissions. 2.Fire, huh huh, huh huh, Fire THE DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: This DVD was "mildly" stacked. Here's the rundown of the special features: 1.Commentary Track with Director Jake Kasdan and Writer Mike White. Insightful as usual... 2.4 deleted scenes. Like the movie, pretty funny but not overly great... 3.Interstititals: 15 of the promotional spots that ran on TV pimping the movie. Pretty funny stuff. 4.Theatrical Trailer. THE VERDICT: Overall, the movie should prove to be a nice, funny distraction, but if drug-based jokes aren't your thing then you can probably pass on this show. The humor is definitely more on the low-brow side, but hey, funny is funny. In sum, not the best comedy out there, just alright. It won't hurt to watch but on the same token you won't exactly miss anything either. Mildly Recommended
Rating:
Summary: Best Comedy I¡¯ve Seen In Ages
Review: I have laughed so hard or so frequently in so long, too long. Orange County is quite possibly one of the best comedies of the past few years. I absolutely love it. To be honest I had little faith in Jake Kasdan after Zero Effect (which had Zero Effect on me) but this movie shows he has a real sense of humor and he balances it perfectly with outrageous characters and an untypically good-natured comedy plot. Shaun Brumner (Colin Hanks in a wacky performance) is refused entry to Stanford University because his dunderheaded College Counsellor mailed them the wrong the transcripts. He recruits his slobbish brother (an even wackier Jack Black) and his girlfriend to help him in increasingly desperate and far-fetched methods of convincing Stanford to reconsider. It may sound like a dumb story but the characters and situations surrounding it provoke the maximum amount of laughter. The two leads are particularly impressive and show natural comic genius that makes me beg for more from these characters. Keep a look out for loads of cameos from Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Ben Stiller and Kevin Kline. The DVD is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. The extras are great with a commentary from Kasdan, deleted scenes which actually should have stayed in the movie and loads of TV spots with scenes especially created. You must get this. Everybody needs to laugh and laugh you will.
Rating:
Summary: Watch it AGAIN!!!!
Review: I assumed Orange County was just another corny, half-baked comedy that studio's release way too many of every year. I was dead wrong. Jack Black is at his absolute neurotic peak and Colin Hanks does an admirable job playing the straight man in a whirlwind of insanity that hilariously envelopes him at every turn. The supporting cast is terrific and really makes the film hum along. You feel like you're along for the craziest adventure of your life with these nuts. 4.5 stars for Orange County.
Rating:
Summary: Fruitilicious!
Review: Orange county will get your juices flowing, guaranteed! it takes the typical teen movie premise and turns it into something smart and original. Jack Black is hilarious, as ever, and Colin Hanks shows he gets his acting talent from his father Tom. there's plenty of good support from John Lithgow and the mother from Home Alone and enough stoner and homosexual jokes to satisfy the American Pie fans. The main character being an aspiring writer is a new twist that makes it a lot more intelligent than most teen movies, and it's chock full of cool cameos from celebrities to keep popcorn viewers happy. The DVD is also really cool, with one hilarious deleted scene that should have stayed in. peel this open and eat the chewy flesh inside right this moment.
Rating: 
Summary: COMMERCIAL RUBBISH
Review: In Brief Shaun Brumder is a surfer dude from the sunshine state, whose outlook on life takes a U Turn following the death of a friend and the discovery of a book on the beach. Realising his desire to become a writer, he sets his board to one side and pursues acceptance at Stanford University. A straight-A student he should have been a shoe-in but a series of obstacles block his path as he sets out on a journey of personal discovery. Review Though the marketing department behind Orange County would like us to believe that this film is a laugh out loud riot, unfortunately it is not. This is a weird breed of filmmaking as it is essentially a feel good movie for teenagers. Now that's not to say that this film isn't funny, but the comedy gems are spread out and generally come courteously of Jack Black. Black, for those of you who don't know, is part of the comedy genius behind Tenacious D (the satirical folk metal band) and the man who memorably stole the show in High Fidelity. Here he plays Shaun's older stoner brother to perfection, but criminally his total screen time is short and one can't help but wish he featured in the film as heavily as he does in the promotional posters and press releases. Like Black's performance the strength of the film comes through its attention to the very small character traits or idiosyncrasies (or should that be inconsistencies) of teenage life. The ironic focus on relationships and finding ones path in life is unfortunately overshadowed by hardcore Californian mush. Remember California Dreams from 90's morning TV, well its not that bad! However if one were to lift a plot from said TV Show and add a shiny new 12A rating, thus creating more ... jokes before leaving to soak in a syrup of sentimentality, you would be closer to the quality that is Orange County. That said, this is not a bad film, its weakness is that is not memorable, it is pleasant, and pleasant does not memorable make. While any film featuring Chevy Chase isn't hard to dislike, I can't fault Orange County on its use of classic comedy actors. Their presence, if anything, lends a thin story some comedy kudos. However one can't help but feel slightly cynical about a movie that stars the children of Tom Hanks, Sissy Spacek and Lawrence Kasdan - as you imagine that the kids wanted to make a funny film and they got mom & pa's pals to come and be in it. Its not easy to make a good teen flick, as one can go too far either way, but viewing the movie with some perspective you can't help but feel that the creator was looking back on their life through rose tinted glasses. This is not a slacker movie to the quality that Kevin Smith has shown us and nor is it a caper along the lines of American Pie or Road Trip. Getting this one right was always going to be hard, giving the warm glow treatment to the teenage market just doesn't feel right, I'll settle for Jay and Silent Bob any day: Snoochie Boochie Noochies this ain't! The Verdict Orange County is worth seeing as it's a nice film, but its use of 20% plot concentrate, 20% comedy and 60% watered down feel good factor is not gonna make me want to see it more than once.
Rating:
Summary: There's no "ecscaping" Orange County
Review: I have to admit that I didn't really expect much from "Orange County", but having now watched it several times I can happily say that my expectations were entirely wrong. Not only is "Orange County" a very funny movie, but it is also a biting satire and a touching look at family, albeit through absurdist lenses. Moreover, the DVD is a great value featuring quite a few extras and well laid out, appealing menus. "Orange County" presents the tale of Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks), and his relentless quest for a spot at Stanford, which he views as the key stepping stone in his burgeoning career as a writer. Helping (or at least attempting to while frequently hindering) him are a superb ensemble cast that includes another newcomer, Schuyler Fisk, as Shaun's girlfriend, Catherine O'Hara and John Lithgow as his parents and Jack Black who brilliantly plays his drug addled, lunatic brother. When you combine them with cameos from Harold Ramis (the dean of admissions), Chevy Chase (Shaun's principal), Ben Stiller (a fireman) and Kevin Kline (the author/professor whose work inspired Shaun) you have the makings of a great movie. The cast doesn't disappoint, but it is the younger actors who really make the movie. Hanks shows all of comic timing and sensibility his father displayed in his early years as a comedic actor and Fisk shows a down-to-earth sensibility and honesty that could have easily been treacly but comes across as sincere. Black, however, steals the show; the stoner role has been done to death, but somehow he manages to inject a manic edge to it that makes it fresh. A perfect example is when Black, wearing nothing but underwear and socks, stops to take off said socks before jumping into a pool to save his brother from drowning. What elevates "Orange County" above any other teen movie, however, is the biting satire that fills every scene. By setting the movie in Orange County, and then populating it with clichés, the directors have created a film that takes a swipe at the very culture that spawned it. Moreover, it is no coincidence that Shaun ultimately finds himself through his flawed, but devoted, friends and family. While they may be caricatures, they are still the only people whose emotions are honest; and what is more important to a writer than emotion? My only complaint about this film is that Chase and Stiller are rather underutilized. Chase in particular is perfectly positioned to take a larger role in the film, but is rather jarringly ignored after one brief, but classic scene. Likewise, Stiller, who is one of the few actors who can match Black's mania, is oddly subdued in his appearance. However, these are minor complaints about an otherwise superb film. "Orange County" manages to be both funny and heartfelt at the same time, as it deftly blends an engaging story with excellent performances from as strong a cast as one is likely to find. There are a lot of movies with funny jokes that get watched once and then tossed aside, and that's because all they are is a string of jokes with no plot holding things together. Thankfully, "Orange County" is a movie you'll watch repeatedly (I know I have) as the story will draw you in even as the jokes make you laugh. Enjoy! Jake Mohlman
Rating:
Summary: Almost good
Review: This is a light, fun, dumb movie that could have been good. Colin Hanks plays a young guy who wants to be a writer and not a surfer. His family is crazy and no one understands him, but his girlfriend is supportive. The jokes are unoriginal but dependable --- people in wheelchairs slam into moving cars, someone flips out during a dinner party, eccentric teachers act weird for comic effect, someone accidentally takes drugs and does something crazy, etc. Jack Black stands out (as usual) as a stoner brother with a healthy slacker attitude. He's usually in his underwear, telling everyone to chill out. The only really good moment is at the end, with a cameo appearance by a famous actor. At that moment, the movie suddenly becomes interesting. It's a moment that emphasizes just how mediocre the rest of the movie is. I recommend this to anyone who likes mindless entertainment. You'll laugh a little, you won't feel ripped off, and you'll forget the movie a week later.
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