Class Act
1992 Directed by Randall Miller. Starring Christopher “kid” Reid, Christopher “play” Martin, Meshach Taylor.
REVIEWED By Pamela Bruce, Fri., June 12, 1992
Those perpetual teenagers/rappers/comedians/Marvel comic book stars Kid 'N Play (House Party I & II) are back again in another silly, harmless high school farce for the under-21 set. An upper middle-class genius and all-around dweeb (Kid) and a bad-ass, jail-hardened homeboy (Play) find themselves unexpectedly caught up in a case of mistaken identity when their scholastic records are accidentally switched on the first day of fall classes. In the confusing situation, both decide to hang loose and go along with the masquerade because it could work to their mutual advantage. Kid needs Play to help him pass PE, or he can kiss his chance for an Ivy League scholarship goodbye. Likewise, Play needs Kid to help him make the grade academically, or he'll be doing the “Jailhouse Rock” permanently. Throw in a couple of love interests (Rogers and Parsons), a bigger, meaner -- but more stupid -- bully (Johnson), a couple of car chases, as well as the absolutely unnecessary, thoroughly irritating presence of timeworn teenager Pauly Shore, and it all adds up to the predictable formula that has been shuffled around in the various teen pictures for the past 10 years or so. Class Act is not without some redeeming qualities, which include a great soundtrack featuring recent hip-hop/rap hits, and a pro-education/anti-drug/safe sex undercurrent for its targeted audience that is effective without being too heavy-handed. And, despite the lame narrative, Kid 'N Play also manage to prove that they are a smooth team who can roll with the flow of intermutual comedic energy. These guys have the potential to develop into a top-notch, cinematic comedy duo -- something that has been sorely missing for quite a long time. All they need is some fresh, clever, more mature material because the house party is over and it's time these two graduated from high school.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Aug. 15, 2008
Toddy Burton, April 21, 2006
Dec. 17, 1993
April 23, 1993
Class Act, Randall Miller, Christopher “kid” Reid, Christopher “play” Martin, Meshach Taylor