Review
'Kickin' It Old Skool' should be kicked out
May 4, 2007
One of the saddest things about America is that there are actually people out there who enjoy these types of movies. "Kickin It Old Skool" feeds the lowly minds with cheap slapstick comedy and stereotypes that I didn't even know still existed. It seriously disturbs me that I supported this waste of film in the box office, only to further encourage people to keep making movies this terrible.
"Kickin It Old Skool" is Jamie Kennedy's latest endeavor about a young break dancer who falls into a coma in 1986, only to awake 20 years later. Still at the mindset of a 13 year old, Justin Schumacher gathers up his old crew, now in their 30s, to recreate the Funky Fresh Boyz and win big money in a dance contest. The dance contest is conveniently hosted by his middle school rival, Kip (Michael Rosenbaum) who is also engaged to Justin's love interest, Jen (Maria Menounos).
Sound familiar? Well, it should because odds are you have probably seen this movie before; if not, you're fortunate beyond belief. Not only is the plot completely trite in every way, but the jokes aren't even funny. OK, there is the occasional laugh from the many '80s pop culture references and even one unexpected scene that counts for the movie's sole hint at originality.
I was shocked at the amount of racial jokes made throughout the movie. Justin, the white male, is the main character who first finds his black friend, Darnell (Miguel A. Núñez Jr.). Darnell needs money badly because his girlfriend will kick him out if he doesn't bring back diapers. The next of the crew found was Hector (Aris Alvarado). Hector is a plump Mexican with a low-level job. The last of the crew is the Asian, Aki Terasaki (Bobby Lee). At one point he hints at the fact that he is "The Asian Guy," but they continue to laugh when he impersonates the "booby trap" line of "The Goonies." He is also the only member of the crew who has a well-paying job because he is the smartest. The movie sickened me with its racial slurs and even some jokes demeaning women's worth.
Movies that deem this style of themes, whether it is football, "riced" cars, music or dancing, all conclude with a major event at the end in which the same thing happen. The lead character backs out before the event or competition, the love interest finds them moving away or at a bar and convinces them they are amazing, the lead character gets to the event at the end to win the big prize and humiliates his rival in public.
I have some respect for this movie. There is a sub-culture that can appreciate this movie. If I had not seen this movie with my little brother, whom is a skilled break dancer, then I would have depicted this movie as pure rubbish instead of a crap movie that was made for 80s nostalgia and the break dance moves of these times.
Teresa Aviles is a student at UW-River Falls.