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Movie Review: Drillbit Taylor
By Robert Waldman
Created 03/29/2008 - 22:24

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Master producer Judd Apatow again proves he’s top notch with comedy as he hones in on feelings felt by millions. Here the comic chaos centers on three sad sack losers who have the misfortune of going to high school for the very first time. Fourteen-year-olds year olds Wade, Ryan and Emmit are the ultimate misfits. Entry into McGinley High School spells trouble from day one as the trio are picked on mercilessly by local tough guy Filkins.

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Scores of kids undergo such ridiculous mayhem all too often. Whether our boys can rise to the occasion and give the bullies a message is the six million dollar question here. Audiences will be furiously rooting for the underdogs as the kids sink deeper and deeper into the cesspool of the local toughs who are out to make their lives miserable.

Desperate and out of control Wade and friends go on a wild recruiting drive to find a bodyguard to save their bacon. From out of nowhere local beach bum Drillbit Taylor surfaces. Totally inept at protecting himself let alone his new “employers” it’s a laugh a minute as this jerk tries to whip these wimps into shape. Shots at the school with Drillbit going “undercover” are priceless and the intended audience, preteens and teens, will laugh it up.

Local boy done good Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) again shows his comic ability and knack for delivering the goods by carefully crafting this story with experiences all children will be able to relate to. Whether Rogen himself experienced such humiliation as a child is neither here nor there: he nonetheless nails the plight victims suffer by carefully dissecting the fear bullies generate in their targets.

Tourism officials from B.C. ought to give the filmmakers here a special award for somehow making our province a central plank in the comic chaos during this 102 minute escapade. Not as funny as Rogen’s other recent vehicles Drillbit Taylor nevertheless is a riot for kids and parents can let their little ones attend without a fear in the world. Oh, and by the way, Nate Hartley and Troy Gentile are very realistic as the victims with Adam Sandler alumnus Steven Brill (Mr. Deeds) nicely directing the kids and their adult charges, including an effervescent Beth Littleford (Mystery, Alaska) as a swooning teacher.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com [1]

Pullquote: 
Master producer Judd Apatow again proves he’s top notch with comedy as he hones in on feelings felt by millions.
Average: 5 (2 votes)

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