Old School Movie Review

“You think I like avoiding my wife and kids to hang out with nineteen year old girls everyday?”

  Old School, starring Luke Wilson (Mitch Martin), Will Ferrell (Frank Ricard) and Vince Vaughn (Bernard ‘Beanie’ Campbell), is classic college comedy released in 2003.  The movie is directed by John Phillips who is experienced in the college film genre, also filming the critical acclaimed movie Frat House.  Old School caught my eye because I am a big fan of Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn.  I had no idea what to expect going into the movie as I have never seen it before. 

                Mitch comes back from a long, unsuccessful business trip to his house to see that his wife is cheating on him with multiple people.  Crushed, he moves out and divorces her.  A few weeks later, Mitch goes to goes to a wedding where he is reunited with his college buddies.  During the wedding, the friends admit their struggles and recent shortcomings to each other, talking about how they lost touch with their old self.   

A few weeks after the wedding, the guys help Mitch move into a new house near a college town.  To help get over his ex-wife, Bernard throws a party titled Mitch-A-Palooza with the backing of his own stereo company.  The party is viewed as a huge success around the campus and the parties continue, irking the dean of the college.  Dean Pritchard was the butt end of many jokes during his college years with Mitch, Frank and Bernard.  To get back at them, he gets the house zoned and makes it part of the campus, meaning that the house can only be used for school purposes.  In response, the guys decide to create a fraternity, to keep Mitch’s house and also relive their glory days in college.  A hilarious story ensues with the guys rounding up a group of misfits pledges who must keep the fraternity running.

A quality college film must have a few traits to be successful.  First off, in college I have no free time, I cannot waste a minute of my time watching a boring movie.  Furthermore, the actors must fit the role well and help create a greater meaning to the story.  Also, it is very important that all the small things are appropriate; dorm rooms, music, parties, and actions of the characters resemble a true college lifestyle.

                Many star-studded movies disappoint, relying on the actors to cover up a weak plot, meaning and special effects.  Old School is unlike these movies, as the actors only add to the depth to the plot and story that comically engages the audience the entire time.  Hysterical scenes of the guys hazing the pledges may not be entirely realistic, but I can relate and laugh at what they have to do, as I am a pledge myself. 

This movie is a must see movie for any big Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson or Vince Vaughn, college movie or comedy fan.  I would especially recommend this movie for anyone who was ever involved in Greek life.  This movie is sure to provide many good laughs, and don’t worry about having too much fun watching it; the pledges will clean up after you.