“Slackers” movie review

By Amanda O’Donnell
Staff Writer

“Slackers,” an offbeat comedy along the lines of an “Animal House” for the 21st century, has some refreshingly outlandish moments when Director Dewey Nicks, with his debut film, tosses the college-comedy rules and angles to get in touch with this movie’s inner weirdness. “Rushmore’s” Jason Schwartzman livens up the screen with crazy antics and ‘spazz attacks’ enough to get plenty of laughs.
The typical romantic-deception story line features three conniving university seniors, Dave (Devon Sawa) and his cronies (Jason Segel and Michael Maronna), who cheat, scam and defraud their way to graduation until an unpopular oddball who has named himself ‘Cool Ethan’ (Schwartzman) figures out one of their schemes and blackmails the guys. Fearing that they will be expelled, the trio must figure out a way to hook him up with the girl of his fevered dreams, his price for keeping quiet. The object of ‘Cool Ethan’s’ affection, Angela (model/actress James King from “Pearl Harbor”), defiantly possesses that ‘come hither’ appeal sure to entice the fraternity movie-going boys. Meanwhile, Sawa (“Final Destination”) has that all-American boyish charm which ignites chemistry with Angela . . . creating some turmoil with his eccentric counterpart, ‘Cool Ethan’.
Though less than a work of moviemaking art, “Slackers” is sure to give you some of that beer bashing, hormone raging, “American Pie 2″ sort of humor with a twist. Packed with some inventive ways to use a sock puppet, cheat on a final exam and an appearance by a hair doll, this college comedy could have even the late James Belushi amused.
Starring Jason Schwartzman, Devon Sawa, Jason Segal, Michael Maronna, James King and Laura Prepon. Directed by Dewey Nicks. Written by David H. Steinberg. Produced by Neal H. Moritz and Erik Feig. Comedy. Rated R for strong language and sexual content and for brief drug use. Running time: 86 min.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 15 2002. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry