This is supposed to be a "family film." It's movies like this that give "family films" a bad name. Yes, it's a comedy, but 'comedy' shouldn't equal 'silly.' This film has a plot that could work, but it doesn't because we're either cringing at its phoniness or groaning at its naivete. Come on, folks, 'family films' don't need to be dumbed down. The funny lines don't need to be punched. The absurd characters don't need to be played over the top. The villains don't need to cackle or gloat. The morals don't need to be spelled out. A good comedy doesn't need to show off. A good comedy is funny because it is, not because we need to be constantly reminded. This film has good actors saddled with a silly script. Scott Christopher is a skilled actor and a very funny guy. His Will Duncan character is not allowed to take advantage of that. Instead, he has to constantly try to keep Will from coming off as a total doofus. Bobby Edner has several films under his belt which demonstrate that he can play the smartest guy in the room. Instead, his Dusty Farnsworth character constantly has to be the credulous mark for his devious schoolmates, when Dusty is obviously much sharper than that. The writers, who are also the directors - a tag team operation that so often isn't a good idea - seem to believe that "families" will only appreciate a movie if it is aimed at 6-year-olds who love multiple pratfalls and food fights. (A family film would not make light of dropping a stroke patient while making a bed-to-chair transfer.) The script constantly sets up some very nice moments, but they are nearly all compromised by something foolish or silly. This film could have been a very intelligent effort. The story is solid; the cast is excellent; the production elements are first rate. If the directors had told the writers to trust what they had, it could have been a mainstream winner rather than direct-to-video.
