Die Girls von St. Trinian

Okay, so I don't usually watch this type of film but after being gagged and blind folded I didn't have a choice. The first Belles of St. Trinian's was made in 1954 and to be fair to St. Trinian's 2007, it has remained close and true to the original concept. As usual, the school is threatened with closure by their bank and education board and responsibility to save the day falls on the pupils.

Gemma Arterton is the head girl, who's voice is made for Eastenders but has the presence and looks to become a big star and along with Talulah Riley as new posh girl Annabelle Fritton carry the film forwards to it's satisfying conclusion.

Rupert Everett steals the show and with a fantastic cast of quirky children and familiar faces including Colin Firth, Stephen Fry as himself, Lena Headey and our very own Jack Sparrow, Russell Brand make the film all fun.

What's nice about St. Trinian's.is that the whole cast of characters get a chance to do their bit, it's all team work, it's St. Trinian's.

St. Trinian's is probably never going to top anyone's list of greatest films of the 21st Century but there's no denying it is funny. It could so easily have been terrible, but it isn't, thanks to a witty and clever script that pays tribute to Ronald Searle's original cartoons as well as to the classic "Belles of St Trinian's" Writers Piers Ashworth and Nick Moorcroft have successfully reinvented St. Trinian's for the 21st century, avoiding the obvious pitfalls – the school could so easily have been turned into a combination brothel and crack den – instead creating a world in which the girls can run wild. A world in which it seems no-one bats an eyelid at ten year old girls playing with explosives, but God forbid they should ever take up smoking.

Rupert Everett is in fine form as the headmistress Camilla Frinton though admittedly he's no Alistair Simm (then again who is?) and Colin Firth is a more than capable straight man, quite happy to take pot shots at his own career. More surprisingly Russell Brand makes a very effective Flash Harry, While distinctly different to the original in both appearance and manner to George Cole, there his something indefinable about his performance, he could almost be the grandson of the original Flash.

However where this film really succeeds is in the girls themselves. Talulah Riley is the heart and sole of the film as Annabelle Fritton, slowly blossoming from shy awkward daddy's girl into red-blooded St Trinian, and Gemma Arterton as head girl Kelly commands the screen in every scene she's in. Between them Riley and Arterton steal the move from under the noses of the more experienced Everett & Firth.

But it's not just them, a combination of astute casting and good writing ensures that all the students come across as characters in their own right from twin terrors Cloe and Holly Mackie through to the 'Posh Totty', brilliantly underplayed by Tamsin Egerton, Amara Karan and Antonia Bernath.

In years to come this film will be remembered not for the sight of Rupert Everett in drag but for giving screen time to so many of the next generation of starlets.

Annabelle Fritton joins St Trinian's, a school for 'young ladies' that prides itself on the anarchic doctrine of free expression. Fritton struggles to fit in at first, but manages to win them over as all the girls band together to try and save the school from bankruptcy.

Okay, so 'St Trinian's' is a pretty awful film, nobody is going to argue that. It's unashamedly predictable, full of stereotypical characters and clichéd scenes and sequences. At every turn, the film gets more and more absurd, and I found myself shaking my head continuously.

But here's the thing: as awful as it is, there's something about the film which stopped me from hating it. Because, to be fair, it was made to be awful. 'St Trinian's' is a good old-fashioned British pantomime on the big screen. You have the man in drag, you have the overly-stereotyped characters, you have the completely ridiculous story where nothing makes sense. Perhaps the only thing missing were songs but, other than that, this may as well have been a panto.

More than that, though, what endears me about the movie is just how much British talent is on offer. It's like a who's who of young British actors – Talulah Riley, Tamsin Egerton, Lily Cole, Juno Temple and Gemma Arteton to name just a few – all given their time to shine and doing a good job. Egerton, in particular, is excellent as the stupid blonde, getting by with her sex appeal and sheer good luck. It's also nice to see actors like Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Rupert Everett especially make fun of themselves.

Like I say, this is a really awful film, but it's a movie so rubbish that it's actually quite good. I'll never voluntarily choose to watch 'St Trinian's'; but get me drunk enough the night before, and this is a more than adequate Sunday hangover movie.

Very good adaptation, went with my family and all ages were laughing.

Rupert Evveret plays 2 very different characters and succeeds well in both.

Colin Firth is a lovely as ever fitting into a role that suits him very well and a certain scene from a Jane Austin adaptation is resurrected.

The newcomers who make up the majority of the school children are superb, not only do they achieve in acting well beyond their years. They provided as much entertainment as the other more experienced cast members.

The most surprising cast member of them all was Russell Brand. I went into the film with a despise of the man and thinking he would ruin the film for me, but he was actually pretty good.

In all I found St Trinian's to be a good film and definitely one for teenage girls to watch, but don't worry if you get dragged along to I guarantee you'll leave laughing.

Don't forget to listen the song in the credits!!!

St Trinian's is neither a great movie or a terrible movie. It is an entertaining one, and I respect the fact, it wasn't trying to make itself a classic. It is constantly silly, but the performances from all involved make it a fun film to watch. The film does have a great soundtrack, and there are some very funny moments. The film does have its flaws, it is predictable, and the film's structure is rather episodic. The film's pace is a little uneven in places too. However, the script is sharp and witty, and the performances are delightful. Rupert Everett especially gives a stellar performance in the title role, and Colin Firth plays it straight as the Government Minister. All the girls are charming and likable, and the supporting turns from Stephen Fry, Anna Chancellor, Toby Jones, Celia Irmrie and Russell Brand(despite the dreadful German accent he had in one scene) are all fun. All in all, has its flaws, but entertaining nonetheless. 6.5/10 Bethany Cox