Search - Old School [Unrated Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Adult Language, Profanity Movie Release: 2003 DVD Release: 06/10/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 32 mins Studio: DreamWorks Total Copies: 33 Genres: Comedy, Farce See Also: Old School, Old School [Unrated Fullscreen], Old School [HD DVD], Old School [Blu-ray]

Three men relive their carefree college years by killing off as many brain cells as possible in this over-the-top comedy. Mitch (Luke Wilson) returns home from a less-than-pleasant business trip one evening to discover his wife, Heidi (Juliette Lewis), involved in a ménage à trois with two blindfolded strangers. Feeling less than welcome at home after this, Mitch rents a house near the campus of a nearby college; two of Mitch's old college buddies, Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank (Will Ferrell), stop by to cheer him up. They soon become regular guests at Mitch's place, despite the fact that Frank only recently wed Marissa (Perrey Reeves), while Beanie and his wife, Lara (Leah Remini), are busy with two kids. Beanie decides to throw a housewarming party for Mitch, and since Beanie sells audio equipment for a living, he's able to trick out the big bash with a massive PA system and an appearance by Snoop Dogg. Mitch soon finds he's the not-entirely-willing proprietor of the school's leading party spot, which raises the ire of Pritchard (Jeremy Piven), a dean at the college who was the target of Mitch, Frank, and Beanie's abuse when they were all students. Pritchard arranges to have Mitch's neighborhood zoned into a student housing district, but Beanie and Frank respond by forming a fraternity and making Mitch's home their headquarters. Mitch, however, is not enthusiastic about the idea, especially as he's trying to impress Nicole (Ellen Pompeo), a beautiful divorcee who is less than enchanted with Frank and Beanie's "party hearty" lifestyle. Old School director Todd Phillips knows more than a bit about the seamy side of fraternity life as director of the infamous unreleased documentary Frat House. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Luke Wilson - Mitch
Will Ferrell - Frank "The Tank"
Vince Vaughn - Beanie
Jeremy Piven - Gordon Pritchard
Ellen Pompeo - Nicole

Unquestionably the Animal House for the 21st century (there are too many similarities to count!), Old School has come to DVD from Dreamworks, and they've done a fine job on this title. The 2.35:1 anamorphic image is outstanding in every way. Detail is strong, and colors come across perfectly. The transfer is as close to a direct translation from the theatrical print as you could get. As is common now, there is a chopped pan-and-scan version available separately and both rated and unrated versions for the widescreen version. Both 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS tracks are included, which may come as a surprise. Occasionally there are some directional effects, but for the most part, this soundtrack is centered in the forward speakers. Regardless, these are fine tracks, distortion free, with clear dialogue. This release is further punched up by the addition of a number of supplements. Up front is a commentary from director Todd Phillips and stars Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Luke Wilson. Just as with the film, this track is a party and a pleasure to listen to. Also included are eight deleted scenes, some of which could easily have been kept in this short 90-minute film. For anyone familiar with cable's Inside the Actor's Studio, a 21-minute "Inside the Actor's Studio Spoof" with the same group in the commentary will produce additional laughs. In addition to standard biographies and productions notes is a studio PR featurette, photo gallery made up primarily of direct shots from film, the theatrical trailer, and four television spots. It's hard not to laugh at the crude humor of Old School and this DVD simply adds to the experience. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide