Not your typical 80's high school comedy.
Casey Siezmasko stars as Jerry Mitchell, a meek dork( He does the whole Matthew Broderick thing, but better than Matthew Broderick). Richard Tyson co-stars as Buddy Revell, an angry new student whom Jerry inadvertently pisses off. This leads to Buddy challenging Jerry to a fight after school, which Jerry desperately tries to find new ways out of before the clock strikes three.
The plot sounds pretty basic, but it's all in the execution. The direction (by Phil Joanou), cinematography (by Barry Sonnenfeld. Yes, THAT Barry Sonnenfeld), and editing (by Joe Ann Fogle) are all superb. The score by Tangerine Dream (always great) helps to accentuate the dream-like quality this flick has throughout.
The film has a surprisingly "elevated" look and style to it. The whole thing feels increasingly surreal, nightmarish, huge, edgy, and epic (in other words, it doesn't feel like a high school comedy). It helps that Three O'Clock High isn't afraid to get bonkers at times. Right from the opening shot of Three O'Clock High, you should know you are in for something special.
I was surprisingly motivated and inspired by this flick. To take what should be a dime-a-dozen, predictable high school comedy and find a way to make the proceedings fascinating, interesting, and new....it's impressive. Most of the film takes place in and around a high school, but it's easy to get forget that. The way the shots look and the shot composition throughout is jaw-dropping at times. I never thought high school interiors could look so cinematic and so different.
Three O' Clock High sets itself up as an average 80's high school comedy, and while it does fall prey to some tropes of the genre, average this is not. The film takes great joy in constantly surprising viewers. It's a damn shame that Three O' Clock High didn't become an instant classic. If you're looking for something visually inventive, stylish, and different...give Three O' Clock High a look.
4.5 STARS
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