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FILM DETAILS

Certificate 15

Cast Luke Wilson Vince Vaughn Will Ferrell Ellen Pompeo.

Directors Todd Phillips.

Screenwriters Todd Phillips Scot Armstrong.

Running Time 91 minutes

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Old School
Disillusioned, cuckolded lawyer Luke Wilson starts a frat house for the disenfranchised.

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Plot
After his girlfriend cheats on him, disillusioned lawyer Mitch moves into a house on the edge of a university campus, where he starts up a fraternity for the disenfranchised.

Review
Comedies set in frat houses - those sinister, sub-Masonic American university organisations which place an emphasis on infantile and frankly dangerous behaviour - have rarely travelled well to these stuffy, reserved shores.

Old School tries to bridge that gap, but quickly stutters after an interesting first half in which Phillips juggles funny set-pieces (the penises-tied-to-cinderblocks scene is a screamer) and an interesting if superficial look at male attitudes to the ageing process.

All this is soon left by the wayside, along with a flurry of underdeveloped and neglected sub-plots and ideas. The sure comic touches of Vaughn (sleazy, caustic yet strangely loveable) and Ferrell (barmy, mostly naked yet strangely loveable) somewhat redeem proceedings, but throughout you can't help but wish the inspired Owen Wilson, and not the dependable but bland Luke, had been the star.

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Average user rating for Old School

You Must've Lost Your Funny Hat

Old School is a reliable, entertaining take on the "American Teen College" sub-genre spreading around, and, sure, it may not hit the same heights as Lampoon's, but deserves great credit. All three leads are equally funny, and it serves to make an all-round, entertaining movie. Definitely deserves more credit than Road Trip. ... More

Posted by TheMovieAddict101 at 14:40, 25 February 2012 | Report This Post

2 starts, seriously?

I have got one word for you: Hilarious! Watch it, then love it, then visit Empire Online and give it (at least) 4 starts. ... More

Posted by FranktheTank at 19:43, 18 May 2011 | Report This Post

Honey, You Think KFC Is Still Open?

To give this comic classic 2-stars is nothing short of criminal. Ferrell and Vaughn are at their absolute best (with the possible exception of Swingers for Vaughn). ... More

Posted by Turd Ferguson at 16:59, 05 May 2011 | Report This Post

Lame review....and too chicken to put your name. Let this reviewer rather crit movies like lawrence of Arabia and get someone with a sens of humour to do it!! ... More

Posted by Samurai7 at 15:25, 19 April 2011 | Report This Post

Empire

Were you high when you wrote this review? Damn!!! This film is hilarious, okay Ferrell and Vaughn may not be to everybodys tastes but I think this reviewer has been a bit harsh on Luke Wilson by calling him bland, he made me laugh!!! Anyway I hope people actually read these comments if they haven't seen this film and wonder if it is worth checking out, it is!!! ... More

Posted by Andybee76 at 13:43, 22 June 2009 | Report This Post

Empire

Were you high when you wrote this review? Damn!!! This film is hilarious, okay Ferrell and Vaughn may not be to everybodys tastes but I think this reviewer has been a bit harsh on Luke Wilson by calling him bland, he made me laugh!!! Anyway I hope people actually read these comments if they haven't seen this film and wonder if it is worth checking out, it is!!! ... More

Posted by Andybee76 at 13:43, 22 June 2009 | Report This Post

So goood!

Great comedy!! So much better than that shit that is Road Trip!! ... More

Posted by gavc1978 at 15:44, 15 June 2009 | Report This Post

WE'RE GOING STREAKING!!!!

A fantastic comedy worth so much more than two stars. Will Ferell was as usual amazing, Vince Vaughn's anti marriage speech at the altar was hilarious and Sean William Scott's tiny role was fantastic. Come on guys get your head out of your asses. It makes you laugh therefore its a good comedy. It does exacrly what it sets out to do. It makes people laugh. ... More

Posted by Ruairt at 13:05, 06 January 2009 | Report This Post

Much better then two stars - far superior to Step Brothers which you gave three ... More

Posted by theoriginalcynic at 22:30, 07 September 2008 | Report This Post

WTF

Old school should be branded a classic and an absolute must in any film collection. Ferrell and Vaughn in the same film equals absolute comedy genius, branded with excellent well timed slapstick. I've never laughed so much at the cinema, and have watched it to many times to count on DVD. 1 word CLASSIC ... More

Posted by nooneyuk at 02:47, 28 August 2008 | Report This Post

2 stars?!

This is so much better than a 2 star film! The Frat Pack at their best! Excellent. ... More

Posted by FortWilliamLoyal at 22:34, 05 September 2007 | Report This Post

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