'College' fails to make the grade

Kevin Covais, Andrew Caldwell and Drake Bell in College

By CAINE GARDNER

Film Critic

If you loved American Pie, Animal House or any adolescent aimed comedy, there's no need to watch College -- you've already seen it.

Film continuously looks to reinvent itself, but the filmmakers behind College must have abandon that line of thought long before production began. The story is bland, the hijinks are unoriginal; the only redeeming factor are a few scenes that are sure to get a laugh and the acting.

Drake Bell (Kevin) headlines a young, talented cast that did the most they could with a lackluster script and make the film at least watchable. Andrew Caldwell (Carter Scott), Kevin Covais (Morris Hooper) and Haley Bennett (Kendall) throw down strong performances, with Zano so over-the-top, you'll most definitely forgive him for it.

What happens when a straight-laced high school kid gets dumped by his girlfriend because he's too boring? That is the underlying question that fuels the storyline of College. Already destined for Fieldmont University for the weekend with Carter and Morris, Kevin decides to strip away his old self and reinvent a new and improved Kevin, during which he catches the eye of Kennedy, much to the dismay of his frat house patron Teague (Nick Zano). Threatened to be exposed for what they truly are, high schoolers, the trio is at the mercy of the frat house and become their doormat. But as in all underdog stories, the good guys always win.

The opening credits offer some promise and had me ready to go on a journey, but what followed was just plain flat. Granted, there are a few moments where I was laughing like a hyena, but for the most part, I was left looking at a series of images that were nothing more than boring filler between laughs.

With two comedies that preformed moderately at the box office, it'll be interesting to see what Bell will gravitate to in his next role. He's rumored to be involved in the horror flick Sleepaway Camp Reunion slated for release in 2010.

Caldwell is like a tornado that devastates almost every scene. He overpowers most of his cast mates and offers up some the best laughs of the flick. Bell and Bennett have great chemistry and make a very believable blossoming romance.

The DVD has both the theatrical version as well as an unrated edition.

Final Cut: College squanders its young cast and forces the viewer to suffer through a subpar script to come to a predicable outcome. Bell, Caldwell and Bennett deserve more of an opportunity the shine, hopefully that will come in the very near future.

2 out of 4 stars

College

Rating: R for pervasive crude and sexual content, nudity, language, drug and alcohol abuse.

Starring: Drake Bell, Andrew Caldwell, Haley Bennett,

Director: Deb Hagan

Writer: Dan Callahan, Adam Ellison

Special Features

* Gag Reel

* Theatrical and Unrated versions of the film