Drillbit Taylor
March 13th 2008 22:27
This time, he's starring in "Drillbit Taylor", a movie about nerdy freshmen, trying to survive at their new high school. Wilson plays a homeless army vet named Drillbit Taylor, who the young boys hire to protect them from the school bully, a psychopath named Filkins.
If it sounds done before, it has, but as long as there are high schools, there will be bullies, which creates an infinite demand of movies where the nerds get their revenge.
"Drillbit Taylor" comes from good hands... it was produced by Judd Apatow and written by Seth Rogen, the comedy guys that shot out "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", "Knocked Up" and "Superbad"... if you like young kids with filthy, dirty mouths, you're in for a treat.
Rogen loves to write dialogue for chubby curly haired losers, and he brings himself into the role of Ryan, or T-dog, as he's trying to get people to call him. Rogen's touch is obvious, as Ryan could be a flashback-double for Jonah Hill, of "Superbad" fame.
The story, though, is not Rogen's... at least, not all of it. The credits on the film list Rogen, Kristofor Brown and one Mr. John Hughes.
That is correct... the name behind "The Breakfast Club" and "Weird Science", the comic director of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" has teamed up with Rogen to bring us another movie about being uncomfortable in high school.
Without a doubt, the movie is funny... between Owen Wilson improvising it up on camera, or the young nerds getting tormented, and then the tormentors getting tormented, there's enough comedy to last the length of the film.
It falls short on several levels, notably the plot, which is predictable, and some of the dialogue, which can feel synthetic. Additionally, Leslie Mann, producer Apatow's wife, plays a teacher in the school, who falls for Wilson (is it just me, or do they make a fitting couple? Apatow might not be so funny if his wife ran off with the charismatic lead actor, I think), but her role isn't really necessary, other than it's fun to watch her fool around with Owen.
All of this is irrelevant, though. "Drillbit Taylor" is a movie that's easy on the eyes, easy to laugh at, easy to digest. The entire movie is the foundation for Hughes' touch, which is the bully getting what's coming to him.
I might as well spoil it for you; after all, you'll know that's what's going to happen from the opening moments. The bully is so vilely malicious and cruel, without even a spark of remorse or pity, that we know he's going to get served. At the end, every one of the protagonists will have redeemed himself, and the nerds get the girls.
That's the recipe, and it's brilliantly executed; I think I jumped out of my seat a little and cheered. It's a rush, thinking back to the bullies that we've all faced, replaying the end of "Drillbit Taylor" with your own personal events pasted on top. Watch this film and relive the moment, erase your painful memories and re-record them with the beat down.
I say: Easy comedy and a satisfying ending make "Drillbit Taylor" an easy movie to recommend. Watch for it coming out in Sydney on March 21st...
See it for: The love interest of the main kid is a girl played by Valerie Tian, who is Asian, cute-as-a-button, and comes off as being strong and independent. She could have been fleshed out a little more, but cheers to the filmmakers that casted Tian in the role.
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Comment by JohnDoe
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Comment by Maryam DiMauro
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But if it served it's purpose, then perhaps it was fine.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Maryam, yeah, he's been hit or miss recently...
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Comment by KylieW
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I can't believe that John Hughes had a hand in this! Who better to assist on a teen/coming of age film. God I loved John Hughes.
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Comment by Miswanderlust
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Stop you had me at
if you like young kids with filthy, dirty mouths, you're in for a treat.
Mis
Comment by Cibbuano
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Mis, ha ha!
Comment by Miswanderlust
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Here is a quickie post I did on the series a while back Freaks and Geeks
Run to the video store and rent the series. You will be glad you did!
Mis
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Comment by Britts_xXx
The freshman characters are so realistic and the ending was predictable yet enjoyable.
Thank-you for this review it captured a lot of aspects I hadn't really thought about.
Britt xx