School's Out Forever

This wasn't awful by any stretch of the imagination but it also was really that great. It worth a watch if you have nothing better to do. Generous 6.5/10

This is newb filmmaker Oliver Milburn's second full length feature film as editor, writer and director, with only a few previous shorts on his resume. His main forte has been Visual Effects on some popular TV shows, and that talent was evident here.

The cinematography and his directing was very impressive, as was the score, landscape and sets. Casting and performances were all great and convincing. This story, adapted from the Schools Out novels by Scott K. Andrews, is cross between Lord Of The Flies, Shaun Of The Dead, Red Dawn and The Road. As a movie, Milburn's screenplay certainly could've used some edits from a seasoned writer. It had some pacing and continuity problems, as well as some plot and technical issues. I felt some scenes were too long and/or unnecessary. I'm sure the sealed letter he held onto (no spoilers) for most of the first act was a metaphor, I think, but it wasn't elaborated. In the 105 min runtime, "a lot" happens in the last 20 minutes, but anything prior felt too long and somewhat unnecessary. It would've been much better if his screenplay had more substance, and less filler, and extending (the best part) more than the 20 mins. Even cutting out much from the early parts and leaving the last 20 mins untouched but with the overall runtime no more than 85-90 mins, I would have enjoyed it much more.

Overall for a young newb filmmaker, this UK production was very well executed. Had the writing been tighter, it would have been great. Did I enjoy it enough to recommend it? Yes. Would I see it again? No.

Troublemaker Lee Keegan gets kicked out of an all-boys private school. Soon after, the world is hit with an apocalyptic pandemic and only those who have O neg blood type survive. He goes back to the school to rendezvous with his mother who is trying to journey home.

I have a tough time rooting for anybody other than the nurse. First, the main kid is a brat. He's annoyingly whiney while trying to project boyish charms. His friend is a psychopath. The boys are mostly Lord-of-the-Flies proto-frat-boys. They spend their time drinking rather than preparing for the inevitable attack. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that they didn't rape the paralyzed prisoner. The teacher is pathetic and arrogant. I don't like most of these people. I do like the nurse's final act. I like some of the action. It would help if Lee is a more likeable character.

I have to admit that when I read that the movie was set to take place during the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, I was a bit thrilled and interested in watching this 2021 movie from writer and director Oliver Milburn.

And so I did.

But the movie wasn't really what I had hoped for. Sure, "School's Out Forever" was watchable, but this was just a movie that ended up being too mundane and bland. It was essentially the storyline that failed to entertain me, as I had expected a bit more from the movie than what it turned out to be.

Initially the movie started out alright and it seemed to be heading in the right way as the apocalyptic event started to take place, but then writer and director Oliver Milburn sent the movie on a journey down a sloped hill; a journey from which "School's Out Forever" never bounced back. The story settled into a slump and ended up being nothing more than mediocre actually.

It should be noted, though, that the acting performances in the movie were definitely good from everyone on the cast list. So that was certainly something that carried the movie a great long way. And the characters that the actors and actresses had to work with were well enough detailed and fleshed out. Just a shame that the storyline itself sort of sank into the mud and never got back on track.

Ultimately, while I managed to sit through the entire ordeal that is "School's Out Forever", then this wasn't a noteworthy or memorable movie experience. It was watchable, yeah, but that was essentially all there was to it.

My rating of the 2021 movie "School's Out Forever" lands on a very bland and mediocre five out of ten stars.

Start as a comedy, then black humor to more drama with gruesome moments. i was expecting a dud, but i was surprise and please overall with the actors. Because of covid times , it deserve an 8 . Soundtracks and soundscape also good.