SLACKERS

“SLACKERS” is surprisingly far better than its trailer suggests. While comprised mostly of low-brow/gross out humor, it’s well directed, tightly paced, and offering enough good actors to overcome some of the lamer moments. All of them are involved with one ridiculous scam or another, their recent best involving cheating on an exam. But, when another student
uncovers their cheating, he blackmails them.  If they don’t help get a beautiful girl, James King, to fall in love with him, he’ll squeal.  Unfortunately, one of  the three falls in love with the girl in the process.  This and many of the  jokes are predictable, but it’s still entertaining on some immature/amateur level.

Jason Schwartzman is much less likeable here as the nerd/blackmailer than he  was in “RUSHMORE”, and his character lacks the depth of the one in the other film.  Here, Schwartzman is the weakest link, and King, almost single-handedly, makes up for his performance. She’s just a pleasure to watch and hear.  She has “it”.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has offered the film in both 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhancement and pan&scan via an option after loading.  The image is well polished, and the film’s impressive production design is fully realized here.  The colors are bright, often vibrant.  Fleshtones appear natural throughout. The pan&scan is tolerable, but with considerable grain at times.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound offers limited surround use, focusing on the front soundstage for most directional effects. Music, which is essential to the film’s fun atmosphere, is boosted through all speakers. Dialogue is always intelligible.

Theatrical trailers for “SLACKERS”, “I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER” , “NOT JUST ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE”, “THE FORSAKEN”, and “RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS” are included.