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.
This article appears in June 12 • 1992 (Cover).