Also, if you’ve never seen Animal House, well, see Animal House. Old School is fine for what it is if you know going in you’re not about to see anything remotely original. You’ll laugh, and its main characters have enough to carry the thin story, but there’s not enough material worthy of a new movie. 
Some edge enhancement problems are noticeable on this HD transfer, along with light compression artifacts. Otherwise, this crisp presentation shines with bold detail, especially during close ups. Colors are bright, and black levels are fine. 
Frat parties light up this Dolby Digital Plus effort. Bass is delivered in powerful form when music kicks in, and the general rowdiness of the crowd fills the sound field. Scenes such a van speeding through the city showcase some excellent positional movement.
Extras begin with eight deleted scenes totaling 13 minutes, and provide little of value. Old School Orientation is a blatantly promotional behind-the-scenes featurette running 13 minutes. Inside the Actor’s Studio Spoof is exactly what it says it is, with Will Ferrell playing the host in heavy make up. A lively commentary with Ferrell, Vaughn, Wilson, and director Todd Phillips is worth a listen. Five minutes of funny outtakes and a trailer mark the end of this brief feature set.
As with so many DVDs these days, Old School is plastered with “Unrated” on the case. The difference between this and the R-rated theater cut? A few extra seconds of nudity.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments