Summer School

The 1980s was the decade for teen comedies. What separates SUMMER SCHOOL from the rest of the teen comedies of the decade is the unique premise. To my knowledge, SUMMER SCHOOL is the only movie about the title subject. No other movies have been made about summer school. This is the one and only. Despite the unique premise, many of the characters are still stereotypical teen comedy teenagers such as the geek, the jock, and the stoners. That doesn't make the characters any less enjoyable, it just makes them feel like characters that have been seen several times before. Out of all the characters, the best one is Chainsaw, wonderfully played by Dean Cameron. His sidekick is played by Gary Riley, who surprisingly did not go on to do much after this film. It's a shame since I really enjoyed his performance here. The other stand-out character among the group of teenage misfits is Pam House, played by Courtney Thorne-Smith in one of her earliest roles. She does a good job with her role and is quite cute as well.

No SUMMER SCHOOL review would be complete without talking about Mark Harmon's performance as Freddy Shoop, the gym teacher who gets stuck teaching the group of teenagers Remedial English. Harmom is extremely likable and charming in his role and without him, the movie wouldn't be half as good as it is. This is Harmon's movie. He brings the character to life like no other actor could. Thanks to him, SUMMER SCHOOL remains an 80s classic. Highlights include the gore scenes, the field trip scenes, and Jerome Watkins' (Duane Davis) line at the end of the movie, which is just one of the great lines scattered throughout this underrated gem. I give it 7/10.

When the summer vacation comes, the gym teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon) is ready to travel to Hawaii with his girlfriend. However, he assigned by Vice Principal Phil Gills (Robin Thomas) to give English classes in summer to undisciplined and mediocre high-school students. When Phil promises to fire Freddy unless his students pass the test, he agrees to grant a wish from each student if they study the English lessons he prepares with the support of the history teacher Ms. Robin Elizabeth Bishop (Kirstie Alley).

"Summer School" is a funny and entertaining comedy from the 80´s and underrated by professional critics. This movie certainly would never be an Oscar nominated but it is hilarious and makes the viewer laugh. Mark Harmon´s procedures and deal with the class is very funny and Kirstie Alley and Courtney Thorne-Smith very beautiful. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Curso de Verão" ("Summer School")

When this movie came out, i was only 4, so i didn't see it when it came out in the theater. I happened to stumble upon it 3 years ago and i've watched it above 100 times since. The best part is when Dave and Chainsaw do everyones make-up and they do their rendition of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Classic!!

"Summer School" is a prime example of a film that over-achieves. It appears to be a typical teen comedy, but its screenplay is so smart that it is hard dislike. Carl Reiner's direction is substantial as he never tries to make the film more than it is. Mark Harmon does some of the best work of his ho-hum career as a high school physical education instructor who must teach a group of lazy students who all have more personality than brains. Kirstie Alley stars as the next-door teacher who teaches Harmon a few things about education. All of the students have their moments as well. However, it is Dean Cameron as "Chainsaw" who steals every scene and makes the film fun throughout. A strange over-achiever. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Summer School is not your typical Carl Reiner film because it doesn't contain much of the ridiculous stupid-comedy you'd find from say, The Cheap Detective or Fatal Instinct. But Reiner presents a nice film, and a fantastic 80s movie, even if he doesn't stick to his formula.

Summer is approaching at a California high school. Gym teacher, Freddie Shoop, a laid-back surfer type, has the misfortune of having to teach summer school remedial English. He has no choice, as he is up for tenure. Says Shoop, pleading to get out of the dreaded responsibility of having to spend summer in a classroom rather than in Hawaii, "I'm not a real teacher. I had out basketballs, check for jock straps. I'm like real challenged."

And Harmon's students don't help to add any enthusiasm. Many are underachievers who are just as interested in finding more interesting ways to spend their time. It starts out with nothing but good times as Shoop and his class ditch school for fieldtrips to the beach, the petting zoo, and the amusement park. But, Shoop, threatened to be fired after the Vince Principal Gillis (Robin Thomas) learns of this. Desperate to keep Gillis from telling the Principal when he returns from vacation, Shoop bargains with Gillis that he will get every student in his class to pass the English skills test at the end of the term. This isn't going to be easy with a class like Shoop's. It isn't that they're dumb. It's just that they're not interested. It's the summer and summer means good times. So, Shoop, already good with bargaining at this point, must also strike deals with each of his students, who promise to help Shoop fullfill his promise to Gillis, if Shoop grants each of them a favor in return. And this is where the fun begins as Shoop clearly gets in way over his head.

This movie is great because of the various characters. Harmon is perhaps the best I've ever seen him as the happy-go-lucky guy trying to get the attention of fellow teacher, Robin Bishop (Kirstey Alley) who is likewise a good match for Shoop. The students themselves are equally enjoyable, with the most hilarious being Chainsaw (Dean Cameron) and Dave (Gary Riley) two guys with a fondness for grossing people out with a handy supply of fake blood and latex. Surprisingly, the movie never seems to have achieved the recognition of other 80s teen movies, though it should have as it is a film that delivers a load of laughs.