Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Marva-nova Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

bkoganbing Spencer Tracy was once asked what he looked for in a movie script and he answered 'days off'. Gym teacher Mark Harmon had the same attitude toward teaching, summers free. But when director Carl Reiner wins a lottery he who was stuck with teaching remedial English he says goodbye to the profession and this southern California high school needs a Summer School teacher.And it's Harmon who lands the assignment because he still hasn't got his tenure and because he wasn't fast enough out of the parking lot. It's unanimous that these underachieving kids as well as the teacher don't want to be in class for July and August.Stuck with it they are though. These kids are quite the collection, ranging from a pair of brain dead fans of slasher flicks, to a pregnant girl, to a kid who sleeps all day in class, to an athlete who thinks football is all there is in life. There's even a foreign exchange student from Italy who just wants to improve her English a bit before regular school starts.School psychologist Kirstie Alley is there who Vice Principal Robin Thomas is putting the moves on. He's also the one who stuck Harmon in Summer School. As Alley shows more interest in Harmon he looks to sabotage him.It wouldn't seem possible, but Harmon actually learns to care for his charges and is genuinely interested in them improving their literacy skills.Although this film is a comedy it also has a subtle message against illiteracy. I was once involved with someone who was unable to read beyond a second grade level and he faked getting by in his short life. It's a terrible prison the mind is put in.I have to say that Dean Cameron and Gary Riley who seem to be a harbinger of Bill&Ted were quite funny as the lunkheads who like slasher flicks. The greatest film ever made according to them is The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Harmon shows it in class to get their attention. Summer School is an enjoyable view by a comedy master Carl Reiner.

welshkay-1 This is just a great comedy/summer movie. It's light -- though with some serious moments -- and just a lot of fun. Mark Harmon as Freddie Shoop is so believable, and likable, as the lost-at-sea-but-with-a-good-heart teacher forced to teach summer school. His class of misfits is great, believable and likable too; a cluster of perhaps damaged souls and "outsiders" going through a tough time in anyone's life – high school. Shoop is a bit of a slacker, in his own right, and manages to get himself into some awful situations, that in real life could go horribly wrong. But in the film world he's allowed to work them out and turn them -- and his young charges -- right. The situations are hilarious -- some, painfully so. And Robin Thomas as the sneaky-bastard vice principal Mr. Gills is truly unlikeable, in a very fun way. Kirstie Alley's Ms. Bishop is sedate and sensible -- the perfect foil for Shoop. And, of course, there's Wondermutt. What a great dog – and the perfect "mascot" for this film. Everything about this movie works, and I highly recommend it. It will make you laugh and feel better about life.

angnizzle I love, love, love the film Summer School. It is one of my favorite movies, and I love 80s movies. My favorite characters in this film is chainsaw and Dave. They love horror movies just like me, and have Freddie Kruger on their locker, and I love Freddie. Also i met Shawnee Smith, she was at a horror convention. Whoever hasn't seen this movie has to see it. Trust me you'll love it just like i do. First of all great cast, great director. I love Dave because he is from Stand By Me, and he met Corey Feldman, and I just love him. Another thing R.I.P. to Gary Riley the guy who played Dave. He has just died from a major car accident. I loved him. Sorry I'm such a movie freak, cant help it, but don't feel like typing all of my favorite movies. Love everybody from Summer School, and great job.

ebanfi-fusiorari Oh gosh! I really enjoyed this movie from the first time I ever saw it. I remember it was the summer of 2000, I was 14 and it was the beginning of the summer, and I saw this movie from a local Italian TV (here this movie is called "Lezioni D'Estate", which it means "Lessons In The Summertime" and its never been in cinemas, only TV). I can recall I used to pass the entire month of June (before to go on holiday) watching this movie again and again...The VHS was always stuck in that old thrashed-up VCR...and after Summer School there was recorded "Teen Wolf"....what a perfect couple! I was dreaming about the girls and the beach and the fun....It was really so innocent at the time...even if u think about getting' high or getting' drunk or getting' laid...And I think that what makes so good Summer School is its naif spirit...there aren' to bad words and is really clean...it's not Spring Break or Revenge Of The Nerds...it's a summer teen movie bit it's not so stupid...I still really enjoyed now that I'm older. It really makes me laugh so hard...the script is brilliant, like the "I don't know anything!!!" scene. P.S. One thing more: the summer of '00 for me was great: plenty of booze and girls for the first time and my friends used to call me "Chainsaw"...Thanx to this little movie.