Remember your days in high school? Were they fun and crazy or were they tough and hard? Imagine that your days were fun at times but also sometimes a little tough. Now throw in the fact that all of that changes next year, maybe your family moves, or the district lines change and now you are forced to reestablish your life at school. This high school adventure follows some type of change that forces our heroes to need to find a way to prevent this from all happening.
On the verge of merging, two rival private schools clash as the wrecking crew from St. Matthew’s and their bully leader Vince (Blaine Maye – Son, and Joe Bell), seek out three well known misfits from Our Lady of the Crusades (Owl’s) as a final score. Having no way out and with the decision fast approaching these oddballs, Leo Grecco (Rudy Pankow – Outer Banks, Uncharted), love struck boy from Our Lady of the Crusades, Sean Murphy (Khalil Everage – Shooting Stars, Cobra Kai, and the Chi), one of Leo’s best friend and a football player, and Jack Nozak (Ryan Ashton), Leo’s wild and crazy other best friend, try and find a way to avoid their future doom.
During their journey the boys, Leo, Sean, and Jack, get some help from a few friends from the all girl high school, Sacred Divinity. Jess (Indiana Massara), Sean’s controlling girlfriend, Ryan (Ashley Nicole Williams – No Way Out), girl who has a crush on Leo, and Caitlyn (Hope Quattrocki), friend of Ryan and has a secret crush on Jack. Running from Vince and his gang, they must try and avoid any possible way they may run into them. While in school and on the run they get direction, good and bad from Coach Krieger (Nicholas Turturro – Black Klansman, Paul Blart Mall Cop 2, NYPD Blue, and The Longest Yard), Football and Weightlifting Coach, Emily Kerpial (Anna Maiche – SWAT), Rudy’s Tutor and Italian Poetry teacher, Mr Marshall (Peter Siewerth), a teacher that makes things difficult, Dean Whitman (Greg Davis Jr. – Bad Escorts) School Principal, and Mr. Podkowa (Mike Starr – Goodfellas and Dumb and Dumber), Ex-cop and neighborhood guy who gets pranked on often by the wrecking crew. Here is where they must discover a solution to their upcoming doom or they will have to remain in this predicament till graduation.
Director and writer Leo Milano puts together a funny entertaining story about two private schools possibly merging due to budget constraints. In today’s expensive world it is very possible that this could happen and Leo creates a realistic attempt to make this amusing tale believable. By putting together this talented cast, Milano pulls off a successful narrative that I know will be enjoyable to watch on video or a streaming service. Rudy, Khalil, and Ryan do a wonderful job establishing their characters and bringing this escapade along. With help from some talented actors, like Mike Starr, Nicholas Turturro, and newcomer Anna Maiche, the undertaking is successful.
The joyful quest through the experiences of boyhood during their high school years touches on many horrors, and anxiety many have when going to school. New relationships and changes to the surroundings can establish many fears, but when things go off the wall it becomes a hilarious voyage.
Final Comment: I based my grade on the enjoyable storyline and entertaining performance by the cast.
Stars 3 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Rudy Pankow, Khalil Everage, Ryan Ashton, Indiana Massara, Anna Maiche, Ashley Nicole Williams, Hope Quattrocki, Nicholas Turturro, Greg Davis Jr., and Mike Starr
Directed and written by: Leo Milano
Genre: Comedy, and Drama.
MPAA Rating: Not Rated Yet
Running Time: 1 hour and 37 minutes.
Release Date: July 7, 2023
Distributed By: VMI Worldwide
Release In: Standard
