La rivincita dei nerds

I was late to the party, though I grew up on films like this I never got round to watching the Revenge Of The Nerds movies but I'm really glad I finally did.

I expected Porkys (1981), I expected a semi-brainless raunchy 1980's comedy but what I found was SO much more.

With an immensely talented varied cast ranging from those who became huge stars like John Goodman to underrated talents like Curtis Armstrong this near perfectly crafted comedy benefits from an outstanding cast who make the film that much more special.

Side splittingly funny, well written, excellent 80's soundtrack, feel good vibe and without excess T&A the Revenge Of The Nerds ticks every box twice and entertained me in a way I never expected and haven't experienced from a comedy like this in recent memory.

I personally cannot wait to get around to the sequels and find out what our Nerd friends get up to next.

Typical 1980s teen comedy that is near the top of its unspectacular genre. The title says it all as college freshmen led by Anthony Edwards and Robert Carradine learn that university life is even worse than high school life as they are bullied by a fraternity of football players led by Ted McGinley. Revenge does take place as a civil war of students ensues and is fueled by gross-out jokes, sexual situations, and all sorts of other crazed perversions. When all is said and done the film is a curious over-achiever in the end. The main reason is the cast is so likeable. Donald Gibbs steals the show as one of the crazed football players and established actors like James Cromwell, John Goodman, and David Wohl also leave lasting impressions. Former NFL star Bernie Casey is also great as the nerds' fraternal sponsor. Far from excellent, but still an enjoyable little film. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This film begins with two high school students by the names of "Lewis Skolnick" and "Gilbert Lowe" on their way to become freshmen at Adams College. However, when a nearby fraternity comprised of football athletes known as the Alpha Betas carelessly burn down their own house their head coach demands the same building where Skolnick and Lowe are currently residing. And because the dean is easily intimidated, he does exactly what the coach says and orders everyone currently living there to be temporarily housed in the local gym until they can find a fraternity of their own. Some are taken in but all of those identified as nerds are left on their own. Unfortunately, it doesn't end there because once Skolnick, Lowe and the rest find a dilapidated house and fix it up, the Alpha Betas continue to harass them and continue to make life as difficult as possible. So, realizing that they are defenseless without a fraternity of their own, they petition every national one available-but they are subsequently turned down because they are nerds. Then one day they finally come across one that cannot refuse them-a national black fraternity known as Lambda Lambda Lambda-and things become quite interesting after that. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I enjoyed this film when it first came out and--even though it isn't quite as funny as I remembered--it still has some good laughs here and there and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

Revenge Of The Nerds came out during the 1980-86 R-rated teen flick bonanza that was coming out of Hollywood. While this one is much milder than some of the others, it does have it's moments of raunchiness.

The story is simple: two young men are attending Adams University; but find out quickly that their type (the gawky, glasses wearing, intellectuals) are treated like nobodies. In fact, any male who isn't a jock or a WASP isn't even allowed to live in the dorms. A group of "misfits" including the two main characters Lewis and Gilbert are forced to live in the gym. They do find accommodations but they continue to suffer humiliation and embarrassment from the Alpha Betas. And so, like in the title of the movie, they get REVENGE.

This is a movie that certainly can't be made today. Affirmative Action certainly would be in place to disallow discrimination on college campuses. The "villains" make fun of anyone who isn't like them. Still, when it's all said and done the film sends out a message that you should be proud of yourself and how you look and not let anybody tell you otherwise.

Yes, as an 80's film you'll see every requisite of the decade, but you'll also see something that's a portent of the future. The Nerds raid the women's dorm so they can cause a distraction so others can install cameras in the bedrooms and showers so they can be spied on. That has become very popular on the 'Net.

As for the cast: Oh my! You'll never see this intriguing mix too often. Like in Freaky Friday, you'll see a lot of actors who made it big on T.V.

Ted McGinley - The leader of the Alpha Betas. He's been on a zillion T.V. shows. I always thought he was more of a nerd than jock.

John Goodman - Head coach of the football team. He looked so lean. Along with Roseanne; he's a superb supporting actor in major motion pictures but a weak lead actor.

Anthony Edwards - Gilbert Lowell. Dr. Mark Greene on ER. Considered a heartthrob during those years.

Robert Carradine - Lewis Skolnick. Member of the Carradine acting family.

Timothy Busfield - Poindexter. Elliot Weston on "thitysomething".

Matt Salinger - Danny Burke. The son of "The Catcher In The Rye" writer J.D. Salinger.

Curtis Armstrong - Booger. Remember him from Moonlighting?

Even James Cromwell makes a brief appearance as Lewis' father.

As for the comments of Julie Montgomery's beauty; sure she's beautiful. Especially if you like the Kate Moss, Calista Flockhart, J. Cynthia Brooks, Paris Hilton, Samia Ghattas, etc. skin and bones body. I don't, myself.

All in all, this is still a good film that does its job. Just avoid the sequels. None of them are good and lack the bite of the first film.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984) was a surprise hit. The film follows the adventures of two "nerds" as they go to college and try to join a fraternity. Oh the trials and tribulations they go through. Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards are the two "nerds"who do everything they can to try and fit in with the rest of the college crowd.

This one is the first and best of the series. They should have left well enough alone. But since this was made during the 80's, a mandatory sequel was made. I recommend this movie. It's entertaining and worth watching. But like all 80's movies

it has to have a message. That's my only real complaint about the movie. A funny film none the less. Just avoid the rest of the series.

Worth a view.