This movie is one of the most cheesy teenage comedies I’ve ever seen, but that is what makes it pretty entertaining especially for its age. It still holds up after all these years. I have seen it a few times now, and I still find it to be a trend setter for gender bender comedy movies. If anyone takes this to be serious, then they are completely missing out on a pretty good time.
This was directed by Lisa Gottlieb who only has a few credits to her name. However, she seemed to capture a piece of the 1980’s here, and for those of us who remember growing up during this time, you will appreciate seeing the fashion and hearing some bits of music here and there while following this simple plotline.
I think writer Dennis Feldman had a clever idea and ran with it. He co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Franklin and together they delivered some remember able lines. Joyce Hyser plays the leading character named Terry Griffith who is interested in becoming a journalist. Her obsessive passion leads her to trouble as she goes undercover becoming a boy at the same high school she attends – while trying to get the scoop for her story. Later on, things backfire for her as you will see. However, there was a romantic interest introduced played by Clayton Rohner as Rick Morehouse. Was it just me? or did he seem too old to be in high school? I guess he was held back a few times. Leigh McCloskey plays Kevin who is Terry’s older controlling boyfriend.
Terry’s sex starved brother’s antics filled in the downplayed storyline portrayed by actor Billy Jayne . I thought his character Buddy Griffith certainly added something to the movie. Toni Hudson played Denise who is Terry’s best female friend. William Zabka plays Greg Tolan who is the popular jock and self proclaimed stud at the school. You might remember him from other films such as The Karate Kid (1984). He does a good job at playing a jerk.
There are a number of stereotypical type characters in this who are featured throughout the film such as: Stuart Charno playing a guy nicknamed “Reptile” who is always lugging around rodents, lizards and the like. I guess he was sup post to be the weirdo kid in school. A very young Sherilyn Fenn appears in this as Sandy. I believe this was only her second feature film. She isn’t the only one to get some type of notoriety out of this; a young Arye Gross plays Willie who was one of the Star Trek nerds in the film. Robert Fieldsteel plays the other nerd character named Phil. John Apicella plays Coach Mickey Morrison, Kenneth Tigar plays Mr. Raymaker and Steven Basil plays Mark.
There are some moments which any guy will remember watching this, especially towards the end of the film. I recommend this one to watch with friends if you feel like seeing a comedy film with a near no brainer storyline. It has a few funny and original scenes worth seeing. I found Joyce Hyser’s performance pretty witty; it isn’t the easiest role to play. If you liked this film, you may also enjoy It’s a Boy Girl Thing (2006) which was a better film than this, and the story is a bit different.
This is a true classic from the 1980’s. If you have never seen The Karate Kid, then you surely you must have heard of it. It was a standout picture from this decade, and brought some remember able moments in cinematic history. John G. Avildsen directed this one, and it was written by Robert Mark Kamen.
The simple tagline was “Only the ‘Old One’ could teach him the secrets of the masters”
The basic story is about a boy who grows up trying to fit in. He is lost without his former friends from where he lived before. He fancy’s a girl at school who has had a better life than him in some ways. He wants to be popular and yet surprisingly tries many ways to find acceptance at the new school he is at. He has no father, and is raised by a single mother. The character Daniel Larusso played by Ralph Macchio is mentored by the late Pat Morita who plays the infamous Mr. Kesuke Miyagi. He teaches Daniel discipline through the ways of martial arts, particularly karate. Miyagi molds Daniel into growing up with his wits and using his fists as a last resort.
Daniel loves his mother dearly, and would willingly do anything he could to help her. There are moments of teen frustration and anguish throughout the story, which most people should identify with. He meets up with Elisabeth Shue who plays Ali Mills she helps to encourage him along the way while falling for him. The final showdown happens later between Daniel and Johnny Lawrence who is played by William Zabka who does an excellent job playing a real jerk. More appearances in this include Ron Thomas as Bobby Brown, Rob Garrison as Tommy, Chad McQueen as Dutch, Tony O’Dell as Jimmy, Martin Kove is John Kreese, Israel Juarbe is Freddy Fernandez, and William Bassett is Mr. Mills. Larry B. Scott is Jerry, Juli Fields is Susan, and Dana Andersen is Barbara.
I think the characters are interesting and you get to know them well in the story, this movie spawned a total of 3 more sequels, and the entire collection is available on DVD. You will appreciate seeing this one. I recommend everyone to watch this if you haven’t already. Peter Cetera’s “Glory of Love” would later be used as the theme song in the sequel “The Karate Kid, Part II (1986)”.
