I got to hear of Kicking
and Screaming thanks to my movie research, and pursuit of off-beat and not
so popular movies. Every now and then you find something that’s a diamond in
the rough, and more often than not, you come across some very lackluster and
forgettable movies. Without making it seem like more than it is, let me be
frank and tell you that Kicking and
Screaming clearly is a case of the latter. There is a reason it isn’t
popular, and that’s cause there is very little about it, that makes it worth
watching. The post-graduation, high-school
premise doesn’t really stand out, and it just feels like yet another
high-school movie, that sadly isn’t even funny. Add to that, the central
character Grover played by Josh Hamilton is yawn inducing. While the
performances are good, pretty much all round, the characters fail to create
interest. The nail on the coffin is that though it’s a 1995 movie, its feels
terribly dated. The humor though noticeable is weak, all the characters are
boring, and it’s hard to really connect with anyone, except for being left with
the feeling that they’re all annoying. Jane as a character, played by Olivia
d'Abo of Wonder Years fame is about
okay, but her screen time is minimal. Overall the plot doesn’t really go
anywhere, and the more you watch the movie, you’re left with the feeling of
futility. Considering the barrage of movies that are out there vying for your
time, it’s fair to say that this one deserves a miss.
My Recommendation: Skip
It (A boring bunch of high-school kids that don’t make for good entertainment)
