College

OK, this movie is a real stinker.

If you are looking for a quality movie experience, look elsewhere. Yes, it is not original, it is predictable, the jokes aren't good, and the characters are one dimensional. But it's so bad, it's good. The clichés and raunchy-ness just add to the fun. A bit of a let down at the end when it tries to get serious, and not a classic in the "so bad it's good" genre. Don't be expecting Barbarella or Bolero, but there is some good raw material here. A stupider (not just vapid) ending would have gone a long way.

A few beers will enhance the experience.

If you go into college expecting the bare minimum of a movie and taking it for what it is (a mildly entertaining cliché filled coming of age comedy) you will still not enjoy yourself. The reason is simple, it tries too hard to be funny. It's most easily compared to that annoying guy at work who stands at the water cooler making immature mom jokes or an annoying teacher at school who desperately wants to impress the students. The script surprisingly isn't bad but this movie rips off of Superbad so much with the character of Fogel in relation to this movies Morris you could call it plagiarism. The ever so ridiculously cliché character that brings sympathy and laughs from the audience because of how naive he is always being so sexually insecure and inexperienced is just so old. The only actor who deserves any sort of a nod is Drake Bell for his mediocre acting and decent carrying of his co actors (Andrew Caldwell and Kevin Covais.) It's sad watching this movie really because the actors so desperately want to be funny (except Drake Bell) so that they can get recognition and be cast into an Apatow film. They have a chance really with the script and extremely humorous atmosphere filled with jocks and egotistical lunatics both male and female. They're acting coaches and idiotic attitudes hurt them here as they failed to make a humorous movie. You average group of teenagers may enjoy this, which is not a bad thing but if you go into this movie looking for a cohesive story line and enjoyable plot then go watch Tropic Thunder where the actors actually succeed in some of these categories.

... you might actually kinda enjoy this. Not that it is any good compared to many other "raunchy" teen comedies (some of the best lately being the first American Pie movies), but if you stop comparing this to other movies (like Superbad, another great comedy, that cannot be touched by this movie), this won't be a complete waste of time. The characters are cliché, but while mostly bland, the actors still try their best and almost achieve to give them some edges.

There are many flaws (if I start to think about them, it'll loose a point or two), but in the end, this movie delivered, what you could expect it to do. So while my rating is low, if you happen to have low expectations too, they will be met, by this. Of course the fecal and urine jokes are not really the best side of this, but it's up to you to decide, if you wanna go down "that road".

Some story lines are being left in the dark, others are underplayed (or dealt with wrongly, the girlfriend storyline), but the three main girl characters have a sweetness to them, that is kinda fun. I guess I liked seeing them try ...

What you get with 'College' is, a lamely executed farce of a comedy that relies on idiotic humor that not even idiots would find funny. Luckily, the film has more boobs in it than any film of recent memory, and a couple of the female characters are extraordinarily good looking. That means, of course, that if you're either gay or female, you're going to want to kill yourself from boredom.

A simplistic plot for a simplistic movie doesn't allow for a lot of surprises, though the film's ending does get points for departing from the formulaic 'boy has epiphany and gets girl' ending, and adding a little more to it. Our three leads are tolerable at best. 'College' boasts a mostly unknown cast, with the only 'names' in the film being Drake Bell, Kevin Covais, and Verne Troyer. Andrew Caldwell's performance as a wannabe partier is basically a teenage version of Chris Farley's entire career. Except this one doesn't have the laughs. Bell is alright, but fails to gain the audience's attention as the leading man so many tween fans already tout him as. Kevin 'Chicken Little' Covais has a few funny moments, especially whenever he's acting drunk, but adds little to the film. He's a MUCH better singer than actor, as evidenced by American Idol. Haley Bennett was my favorite part of the film as Bell's love interest. Gary Owen is hilarious as 'Bearcat', the typical crazy frat guy.

'College' has heart, and gets credit for trying, but the execution on the part of the director, casting directors, producers, and to a lesser extent, the screenwriters is what hurts the film. First, I like that Drake Bell is trying to shed his Nickelodeon image, but he was the wrong guy to cast here, mostly because he isn't a big enough name to draw in the people, and what little fans he does have aren't old enough to see this film...there lies the problem. Bell's fans can't see the movie, and I seriously doubt all the people that voted for Covais on American Idol are fond enough to waste their money on this movie. Next, the rating of this film, while very much deserved, hurts the film the most. Had the film been made as a PG-13 film, it might have been just as 'good' in terms of quality, not to mention it would have made more money. Third, all the 'f' bombs and nudity were completely unnecessary, and seem to be there just to secure the R rating. Fourth, having been to college myself, this film is nothing like the real thing. The parties are crazy, but this is too much. It is so unrealistic on every level that it's just astounding. At least Superbad was realistic...in some regards.

'College' is a painful and sad attempt to recreate college life on the big screen. If you want something more realistic, try 'Fifty Pills'. Or just take fifty pills of something. Bell is seriously miscast, and Deb Hagan's direction, along with her producers' bad choices, drag down what could have been a mildly entertaining and mildly successful Superbad ripoff.

Kevin Brewer (Drake Bell) is going with bookish friend Morris Hooper for his scholarship meeting. His girlfriend Gina (Alona Tal) is going to Miami without him. She breaks up with him for being a dork. Fletcher tells the guys about a wild college weekend trip. Kevin decides to go partying with Morris and idiot best friend Carter Scott (Andrew Caldwell) at the University. He falls for college girl Kendall (Haley Bennett) and faces frat bully Teague (Nick Zano).

A large part of my dislike hinges on Andrew Caldwell. He is the standard fat loudmouth best friend. The problem is that he overplays the annoying card. He's far too unlikeable. His early interaction with his friends is off-putting. I need to laugh at him. Instead, I'm annoyed with him. Drake Bell is a dud. He's obviously trying grow out of his Nickelodeon TV show which I never saw. I don't blame him for trying but his acting is stiff. I like the endearing dorky third wheel Morris. On the other hand, Kenall is also a dud. Haley Bennett has always struck me as a high maintenance girl. She fits Gina much better and Alona Tal would have been a superior Kendall as a girl next door. This is not a particular special college party romp and the leads lack good charisma.