Reviews

Yes, Owen Wilson is always likable in these kinds of roles. Yes, it has more than a few funny moments. Yes, it's easy to like the heroes and hate the bad guys. Why does no one find it disturbing?? Because it makes a happy ending, typical Hollywood wrap up, to violent, disturbing, deeply troubling and criminal harassment and torture. Only people who don't care and don't ever think about why they like what they like and how the film-makers manipulate, would not object here. It is an irresponsible film and really glorifies the problem by making it a fun buddy caper. I hate to sound so uptight, and I don't think I really am, but some of the sadistic attacks on these children made me cringe and rage as I saw it... not because it went too far, but because to some degree this sort of thing happens everyday, and the system, the school, the parents the other students stand by just as they do in this film. However, here we have a fantasy about some crazy solution. It would be fun and cute if it weren't such a vile topic - one nobody seems to take seriously. If you have children, or know children or care about children in the public school system, this film should not be fun for you. Do not suspend your disbelief. Is rape a fun topic for a happy ending buddy comedy? Is murder? Is child beating? Domestic violence? No? Really?? No one would say yes to any of that? Then why is a topic that can lead to things like school shootings and suicide, not to mention the endless fear, deep emtional damage and daily desperation and unhappiness of many children's lives, so easily translated into a cutesy buddy film with a happy, feel-good ending? The makers of this film should bear some scrutiny for exploiting such an issue, for diminishing it and making light of it. As I started by saying, yes, there is fun involved, but those who are so immune to the ugliness portrayed here, the wrong, the real problem that goes as ignored in the real world as it does here, that this is enough, should do some thinking when they watch films.

No, I am not angry at the people/person who created this film. People churn out garbage all the time in all walks of life in all sorts of jobs. So they failed, fine, c'est la vie... I am not angry at the horrible acting, stupid meandering plot, irritating effects... I AM VERY ANGRY at the "professional" reviewers out there who wrote reviews panning this film, but claiming it would be funny and that at least it isn't boring. The "so bad it is good" sort of review. Everyone reading, please, hear me now... It is so bad it is just plain bad. It is deadly boring and not even slightly amusing in its incompetent performances and stupid "plot".

Oh dear, and if all these bad reviews have you curious, and you want to see what all the fuss is about so you want to watch it anyway? Trust me, I don't think anyone who really appreciates this film for what it is would wish that on you, least of all me... You will be sorry. Beware. You will hate this film and be very angry too.