You’ve seen the teenager redemption story a thousand times. Kids try to become cool by being something they aren’t. Failing, they become demoralized for a while before realizing that being cool is nothing more than being comfortable and confident in your own shoes. Redemption usually comes in an ending party scene. American Pie, Dazed and Confused and Superbad come to mind.
Now add Drillbit Taylor, Superbad’s pre-pubescent brother (Judd Apatow produced both films). Three boys who eerily resemble younger versions of the three Superbad teens are hopelessly trying to fit in as high school freshmen. Unlike their Superbad counterparts, these boys are looking for kisses, not hookups; acceptance, not booze. Standing in their way is the mythologized high school bully Filkins (Alex Frost), who gets his kicks by kicking, punching and pulling pranks on kids half his size. Why the sophomoric senior is always the most popular guy at school is beyond me. This guy has a few clever pranks, but they are nullified when he commits the way-overdone stuffing of a kid in his locker.
If the hijinks have any value, it’s to allow the movie to set up its premise: The cruel punishment sends the boys running for help. In struts Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), an army-deserting bum fashioning himself as a bodyguard so that he can rob the parents’ house and make a break for Canada. Of course, Drillbit has a change of heart. He comes to like the kids, teaches them some hilarious improvised moves to help take on Filkins, and plants himself as a substitute teacher for further protection.
The movie finds a groove once Drillbit establishes himself at school with all the other characters. Wilson is up to his Wedding Crashers tricks, creatively deceiving everyone with his new identity— including a love interest—and then having to pull himself up after getting caught.
Yes, the plot is extremely predictable. But the humor is mostly fresh and Wilson and the child actors make a good team. Little brother Drillbit can’t fill big bro’s super-huge shoes, but who really expected it to? This movie works just fine as an entertaining B-comedy.
Three out of five stars
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