Rating: Summary: UNRATED Review: For those of you looking to purchase this DVD, one bit of advice - remember it's UNRATED. As soon as you put the DVD in, the menu pops up showing two women with no shirt on. This was highly offensive and undesired (especially with my spouse next to me). There's also a lot of curse words. The movie is still pretty funny, hence the 2 stars.
Rating: Summary: I had high expectations, but didn't think it was THAT funny Review: I had heard from tons of people I know (college aged people) that old school was totally hillarious and that I HAD to see it. I should say also that I have always been a big fan of Will Ferrel, the great Vince Vaughn, and "raunchy" comedy in general, so I had really high expectations, but when I finally rented the DVD I was pretty dissapointed. Don't get me wrong, there are some funny moments, but they are few and far between. I spent a lot of the time yawning and waiting for the funny parts, most of which I had seen in the previews. Some of the DVD extras are pretty good, including the cut sceens, but I also didn't think the inside the actors studio spoof was that great (vince vaughn just didn't seem to be into it). As far as this being an "unrated" version, what was added? I didn't really see anything that seemed very wild. Anyway, I would just recommend to people like me (who didn't see it at the theaters but think it would would be a good purchase) to rent it first.
Rating: Summary: Grade School. Review: Given the talent involved with this flick it's truly a shame how utterly bland OLD SCHOOL is. A superb cast is wasted on jokes that are unfunny and/or poorly executed. There are a dwarfs handfull of humerous scenes and they do not make up for the banality of the rest of the package. Do yourself a favor and watch ANIMAL HOUSE for the sixty-third time because I guarantee it will produce more laughs than this snoozer. Poor writing and direction drags a comedy dream cast to the Deans office, a damn shame.
Rating: Summary: Not as good as all the hype Review: I was expecting a movie that I would be laughing my [behind] off at. This movie isnt that. I did laugh a few times but after a while it got boring. Will Ferrell wasnt funny enough. Most of National Lampoon's movies are better then this, and this isnt a new "Animal House"
Rating: Summary: Surprisingly good Review: One look at Old School and one will no doubt label it as another brainless gross out comedy, but that is far from the truth. Despite it's cheesy plot and conflict, Old School succeeds where most other recent comedies fail. Beginning with a great cast (Luke Wilson, Will Ferrel, and Vince Vaughn) as three thirtysomething friends with marital problems who are trying to rekindle the glory days of their college years. For the most part Old School is roaringly funny, and while it does lag more and more towards the end of the film with a predictable ending, you'll undoubtadly be laughing your head off getting there. The rest of the cast also features smaller roles from Leah Remini, Craig Kilborn, and Juliette Lewis, plus cameos from Snoop Dogg, Andy Dick, and Sean William Scott. The bloopers & outtakes DVD extra is worth the price of admission alone.
Rating: Summary: Good Comedy; Be Careful With the Unrated DVD Version Review: First off, a word of warning to those who haven't seen the unrated version of Old School...the menu screen features topless girls. Not that I'm a prude or anything like that, but it might be a good idea to send younger children out of the room BEFORE you put it in the DVD player.Having said that, I feel it is necessary to address the comments of one customer reviewer who asked how anyone could dare to compare Old School to the classic Animal House and complained that the plot had been "done before". As to the first complaint, it should be noted that Old School was produced by Ivan Reitman, who has been associated with a number of great comedies in the last few years, including Animal House. As to the second, I must respectfully disagree. The notion of some thirty somethings starting their own fraternity has not to my knowledge been done before, although this movie is somewhat derivative of college comedies such as National Lampoons Van Wilder and PCU. The basic plot of Old School is simple enough-three 30somethings played by Vince Vaughn, Will Farrell, and Luke Wilson decide to relive their college days by starting their own fraternity. All three actors are in top form here, even Wilson, who is cast against type as a straight man. But it's Vaughn's performance as the group's leader that really makes Old School funny. Jeremy Piven, also cast against type, is the uptight dean of the college who carries a grudge because he was picked on by Wilson's Farrell's and Vaughn's characters when they were younger. Much like Animal House's Dean Wormer, he tries to get the frat tossed off campus but is unsuccessful. While Old School isn't quite as funny as Animal House, it is certainly worth watching as it carries on the comedy tradition set by that film, although the formula is slightly different.
Rating: Summary: Best absurd comedy in a while Review: Ok, granted this is not a thinker, but it's one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. The comparisons to Animal House etc are a little bit off, I think. The humor is really more of a modern variant, sort of dry with clever timing. Picture Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tennenbaums) and the Coen brothers (the Big Lebowski, Fargo) getting falling-down drunk. The three main chacters are all excellent. Luke Wilson plays the likable straight-man, with some of the more subtle humor of the movie (I use 'subtle' in a relative sense) as he responds to all the absurdity. Vince Vaughn is beautifully ridiculous as the mover and shaker of the frat. To make a fight club analogy, he is the proactive Brad Pitt to Wilson's reactive Edward Norton. Will Ferrell is also at his best - a wonderful loser, making us simultaneously cringe and laugh as he blunders through his life. There is perhaps a little too much emphasis on the plot, which is pretty much the standard for a college movie (the evil dean is trying to get rid of the fun people). But I suppose a little plot is necessary, even in a film like this.
Rating: Summary: Funniest Movie of 2003 Review: I absolutley love this movie. I saw it the night it came out and laughed my bum off all through the movie. It has some very funny scenes and Will Ferrel adds his charisma wonderfully in Old School. I recommend this not because it was a great movie but its funny every single time you see it, and to me thats worth buying the DVD.
Rating: Summary: Instant Classic Review: For all of you reading thinking "how in the world is this getting a 5star from some and 1star from others?!?!?" Have no fear, THIS IS A FUNNY MOVIE. I love Animal House, this is not animal house, but this FUNNY. I was rolling on the ground while watching it.
Rating: Summary: MEDIOCRE and nothing more Review: Old School has its good points and its bad points. The movie is good, although they revealed way too much in the trailers. It is not nearly as funny as Road Trip or other college comedies. I was slightly annoyed at how they pumped this movie up so much, and it wasn't that funny. Anyways, the DVD is better. The "UNRATED" EDITION features nothing more than a few more women walking around topless and a scene that is rauchier. Nothing spectacular. The Extra features are good. The extended scenes are hilarious, and I wonder why the didn't put these in the movie...it would have made the movie funnier. Also, the blooper reel is very funny. There are a couple of standard 8 minute documentaries and the normal trailers and cast etc. Nothing spectacular. The menus get very repetitive and the music is VERY ANNOYING. IN conclusion, if you loved this movie, you'll love this dvd. If you thought the movie was okay...save your money.
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