The Faculty (1998)

Number Rolled: 44

Movie Name/Year: The Faculty (1998)

Genre: Horror

Length: 104 minutes

Rating: R

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Writer: David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel, Kevin Williamson

Actors: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Salma Hayek, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Christopher McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Usher Raymond, Jon Stewart, Daniel von Bargen, Elijah Wood, Jon Abrahams, Summer Phoenix, Susan Willis, Pete Janssen

High school movies, in the 90’s, all pretty much followed the same recipe. You had your obligatory stereotypes that all hated each other: jocks, nerds, goths, valedictorians, rebels, and (occasionally) the new kid. It was a moving caricature of actual high school, all the cliques with an extra dose of heightened violence (this coming from someone who spent most of her childhood in Brooklyn public schools). “The Faculty” was only different in that they spent less time fighting each other and more time fighting the pod people that made up their school.

I know that might sound like I hated the movie, but I really didn’t.  

By today’s standards the graphics were crap, but you have to take into account when it was made. This is a 90’s movie, you’re obviously not going to get 2013 graphics. Even in something like this where the upgraded graphics would have made a significant impact, I will always work to digest it without taking the subject into account. It’s all about story line, acting and overall enjoyment.

The actors were outstanding, all of them. DuVall was the quintessential outcast actor of the 90’s; perpetually type-cast even now, but great at what she does. Then you’ve got the rest of the cast that are mostly celebrated. I’ll admit to squeeing when I saw Jon Stewart and I added it to my queue because of Hartnett – neither of whom disappointed.

On top of the acting, the storyline was adorable. Ok, maybe a sci-fi-horror flick isn’t supposed to be adorable, but it was to me.

An old co-worker suggested I add this to my instant queue because I would love it, and she was right. I’ll likely watch it again.

Overall Opinion – 4/5