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by Raul Burriel Published: July 23, 2002
My DVD library includes all the standards: "Gladiator," "Saving Private Ryan," "Snow White." But these are all for show. Does anyone ever actually watch these movies more than once? In my DVD library, there are only a handful of films that I can pop into my DVD player at any time of the day or night and watch from start to finish with a big grin on my face. These may not be excellent, award winning movies, but they're movies that make me happy. These have historically included "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "10 Things I Hate About You." Add now to that list "Orange County." What does it mean that all three of these films are about high school kids doing zany things? I don't know. I'll leave that for someone else to figure out. But I do realize that finding a gem like "Orange County" is not an everyday occurrence. I only regret not having discovered it before. I knew long ago that I wanted to see this movie. The commercials and trailers were not only hilarious, they were captivating. They drew me in and made me beg for more. Sadly, schedule conflicts - and a lackluster box office - kept me from seeing this film in theaters. But when it finally came to DVD, I greedily lay my hands on it. And quickly discovered that desire was not wasted on this film. "Orange County" tells the story of Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks), a surfer dude in California's Orange County who, after an epiphany, realizes he must escape the shallowness of his home county, and believes that getting into Stanford is his only means of escape. Most of the story takes place over a one day period as Shaun realizes he's been declined acceptance into Stanford because an error by his guidance councilor results in the wrong transcript being sent to the Stanford admissions office. What follows is a series of misadventures as Shaun, a straight-A student, does everything he can to get the error corrected. Colin Hanks, son of Oscar winner Tom Hanks, carries the film, appearing in almost every scene. It's no mean feat, given that his previous acting experience boils down to a supporting role in the teen sci-fi drama Roswell. Hanks's supporting cast is no less impressive. Schuyler Fisk, daughter of Oscar winner Sissy Spacek, plays Shaun's supportive girlfriend Ashley in what is essentially her first major role. Jack Black steals the show as Shaun's doped out brother Lance, appearing throughout the film in his underwear. Jack Black has reached a point in his career like John Belushi and Chris Farley before him where he's destined to die just before he attains acting greatness. Hopefully, though, unlike those before him, Jack Black will stay on the straight and narrow and avoid their fates. Other A-list talent appears throughout, including Chevy Chase as the high school principal, Catherine O'Hara and John Lithgow as Shaun's parents, Garry Marshall and Dana Ivey as a member of Stanford's board and his wife, and Harold Ramis as the dean of admissions (Egon got fat!). There's even a couple of "surprise" cameos from actors who have worked in the past with both director Jake Kasdan and his father Lawrence Kasdan. What Jake Kasdan manages to do with this movie is nothing less than miraculous. In only his second outing as a feature film director, he puts together a well edited, well paced film that manages to captivate, entertain and enthrall. Most of the younger Kasdan's past experience comes from the highly underrated but always critically acclaimed shows "Undeclared," "Freaks and Geeks," and "Grosse Pointe". You will, in fact, see several cast members from these shows throughout the film. Kasdan's co-conspirator in this project is screenwriter Mike White, who also wrote a couple of episodes of "Freaks and Geeks." White's script manages to be poignant while at the same time succeeding in always being funny. There's a point in the film when Shaun visits a fraternity in Stanford, and as a song starts up, girls get together and perform a choreographed dance. And you realize then and there, simultaneously with Shaun, that no matter where he goes, he cannot escape Orange County. It's a realization that never needs to be verbalized because it's written so perfectly, and acted so expertly by Hanks. There is a weakness in the film when Shaun later meets with his mentor and his mentor in essence summarizes the moral of the story for us (in case we're too dumb to do it ourselves). It's unnecessary, but with the film weighing in at less than 90 minutes, it doesn't particularly make the film feel any longer. It's just not needed. "Orange County" is a popcorn movie. It goes by incredibly fast but still leaves you satisfied. So much so, in fact, that after watching it the first time, I immediately watched it a second time, this time with the commentary. The only other time I have ever done this was with "The Matrix" (something I greatly regret, given the horrible commentary for "The Matrix" which can easily be bestowed the title of "Worst Commentary Ever"TM). The commentary, by director Kasdan and writer White, starts off slowly. You get the unmistakable feeling from these two that they're novices and not yet comfortable in their newfound roles as major motion picture makers. But as the commentary moves on, they become more at ease and manage to give us a few anecdotes. You won't lose anything by not listening to it. But it's a nice way to spend 90 minutes. The DVD also features a few deleted scenes, the obligatory trailers, and some interstitials (clips made to resemble scenes from the movie but which were actually filmed exclusively for MTV). The interstitials, many featuring screenwriter Mike White as the high school English teacher, are well worth your time. The fashion in which they're compiled, though (obligating you to select each one of the nearly 20 interstitials one at a time), could have been done better (a "watch all" option would have been nice). "Orange County" is one of those films I will never get tired of watching. My only worry is that I'm going to wear out the disc well before its time. Rating: A+ |
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