Warner Archive is a great way to find Warner Bros. films that have never been released on DVD. From classics of the ’40s and ’50s through to modern films like 1992’s Class Act starting the popular hip-hop group (of the time that is) Kid ‘N Play.
Breaking away from their House Party film series the two rappers-turned-actors star in this silly comedy about mixed up identity. Duncan Pinderhughes (Kid) is a square nerdy brainiac on track for an Ivory League school if only he can pass P.E. Blade Brown (Play) is a tough street kid who is forced to get good grades in school or he’ll go back to jail. When a freak accident switches their identities in the school records they both see this as an opportunity and run with it.
Ultimately both Duncan and Blade end up learning more about themselves, growing as people and even getting the girl. Okay, so it doesn’t have the most original plot, but it’s a very silly fun film that actually has a lot of laughs. There’s some great physical comedy, a big car chase and a Scooby-Do style chase through a wax museum. You even get a small cameo from a very young Pauly Shore.
This film screams early ’90s which, depending on how you look at it, could be a good thing or a bad thing. From a nostalgia factor I gotta kick out of it. One joke in particular really got a loud cackle out of me.
Guy to girl: “You’re as hot as Robin Givens. I could be your Mike Tyson.” Sure, kinda jacked up in retrospect, but still pretty funny.
The film is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen. Sound is in 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo sound. This is my first experience with a disc from the Warner’s Archive. It looks and sounds pretty good. The middle of the film did skip for a second and when I examined the disc it didn’t have any smudges or scratches or anything so I don’t know if that had something to do with the burning process or not.
Trailer.
This was a fun film to watch and totally brought me back to my high school days in the ’90s. It’s a very silly film and I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Unless you grew up on this film I can’t recommend it as a buy. But it’s worth adding to your Netflix queue.
Warner Home Video presents Class Act. Directed by Randall Miller. Written by John Semper & Cynthia Friedlob. Starring Kid ‘N Play. 98 minutes. Rated PG-13 for sensuality and sex-related dialogue. Released on DVD: May 18, 2010. Available at the WB Shop.
