'Old School' is 'Animal House' with adult guys

By Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

OLD SCHOOL (Rated R, for some strong sexual content, nudity and profanity) Stars: Typical but often-amusing comedy about three thirtysomething men who start an all-ages fraternity. The plot is redundant, but the gags work more often than not and stars Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell are terrific. Directed by Todd Phillips, Dreamworks, 91 minutes.

Focused on three thirtysomething guys — Mitch (Luke Wilson), Frank (Will Ferrell), and Beanie (Vince Vaughn) — the movie essentially is "Animal House" with old guys, an admittedly funny concept.

Just out of a long-term relationship, Mitch is down for the count, and his buddies decide to lift his spirits by forming an all-ages fraternity. At first, Mitch is reluctant, but all it takes is one raging party and a night with a co-ed to change his mind.

Soon, he's initiating pledges who range from hip, young college students to an 89-year-old Navy veteran. It's impossible to analyze the film without thinking of "Animal House" because it's doubtful "Old School" would exist if "House" hadn't paved the way.

In fact, the "Animal House" crowd seems to be the film's demographic. Most of the jokes revolve around adult men acting like children. While this is a concept teens might find funny, it's the older generations who will see pieces of themselves in the characters.

The script, written by Scot Armstrong and director Todd Phillips, isn't particularly smart. In fact, it's just one more frat-house retread with a simply defined narrative. A bunch of guys start a super-cool frat, the wrong people get jealous, and the guys battle to keep the organization alive. Obviously, it's not the plot that makes "Old School" worthwhile. It's the terrific characters that Ferrell, Vaughn and Wilson build. For the most part, Wilson is the likable Everyman he's played in films ranging from "Dog Park" to "Legally Blonde." This lack of diversity might indicate a limited range, but I've always found Wilson's performances charming.

The real stars are Vaughn and Ferrell. Each has immense fun with the idea of old guys living teen-age fantasies, and they deliver their lines with deft timing and pizzazz. What the script lacks in originality it makes up for with solid gags, the majority of which hit their marks. There are times when bits stall, allowing weak material to slow the pacing, but mostly this is a well-intentioned romp.

Phillips, whose previous claim to fame was "Road Trip," doesn't do anything fancy with the presentation, but he didn't have to. This is a movie that's all about the characters, and his toughest assignment was completed as soon as he signed Ferrell and Vaughn.

Rated R, for some strong sexual content, nudity and profanity.