High School High

1996

High School High

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

19%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 16

37%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 36,187
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Movie Info

In this comic send-up of dramas set in urban schools (such as Lean on Me and Dangerous Minds), Jon Lovitz plays Richard Clark, a teacher who is persuaded to give up his position at Wellington Academy, an upscale private school (where the receptionist cheerfully answers calls with the question "Are you white?"), to take over a class at Marion Barry High School in Inner City, U.S.A. Marion Barry High is a far cry from the ivory-tower atmosphere of Wellington; the statue in the courtyard holds a crack pipe, the Michigan Militia sets up a booth for career day, and there's so much violence on campus that the school has its own graveyard; however, Clark is determined to reach his thick-headed charges, and he hopes to also make an impression on Victoria Chappell (Tia Carrere), a beautiful woman also on the teaching staff. Clark does battle with Evelyn Doyle (Louise Fletcher), the school's militaristic principal, in an effort to raise standards for the school's star straight-C students, and he finds that he's getting through to one of the school's toughest students, Grig (Mekhi Phifer). Screenwriters Pat Proft and David Zucker helped create The Naked Gun and its follow-ups. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (adult situations/language, violence)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Hart Bochner
  • Written By:
    Robert LoCash, Pat Proft, David Zucker
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Jon Lovitz
as Richard Clark
Tia Carrere
as Victoria Chapell
Mekhi Phifer
as Griff
Louise Fletcher
as Mrs. Doyle
Malinda Williams
as Natalie Thompson
Guillermo Díaz
as Paco
Lexie D. Bigham
as Two-Bags
Gil Espinoza
as Alonzo
John Neville
as Thaddeus
Brian Hooks
as Anferny Jefferson
Natasha Gregson Wagner
as Julie Rubels
Marco Rodriguez
as DeMarco
Nicholas Worth
as Rhino
Eric Allan Kramer
as Hulk
Lu Elrod
as Miss Bernie Wells
Eve Sigall
as Miss Foley
Michael Nye
as Mr. Arnott
Joan Ruedelstein
as Griff's Mom
McNally Sagal
as Female Teacher
Mallory Sandler
as Operator
Carlos Flores-Recinos
as Blind Student
Sonya Eddy
as Nurse
Adam Otokiti
as African Translator
Seami Nakamura
as Viet Translator
Marabina Jaimes
as Central American Translator
Baoan Coleman
as Mou Mou/Bartender
Michelle Jones
as Maitre d'
Vernon P. Burton
as Cop
Pat Harvey
as Anchorwoman
Christian Dyer Mills
as Student
Susan Breslau
as Thaddeus's Secretary
John Ducey
as Student With Paper
Ricky Harris
as DJ
Steven Kent McFarlin
as Panhandler
Christopher J. Keene
as Faculty Member
Thom Barry
as Teacher
Abdul Goznobi
as Tourette's Kid
Drew O'Connell
as Rookie Cop
Jeff Wright
as Security Officer
Shauna Robertson
as Little Slut
Kotoko Kawamura
as Asian Woman
Ali Hojat
as Drama Coach
Charlotte Zucker
as Woman smoking pipe
Jeremy Breslau
as Wellington Student
Ben Breslau
as Wellington Student
Isaac D. Ardolino
as Wellington Student
Io Perry
as Moaning Woman
Allen J. Smith
as Watch Salesman
Michael W. Williams
as Kid in Hallway
Nicole Ann Cohen
as Girl in Class
Mina Nims
as Stripper
Rachelle Roderick
as Stripper
Mark Swenson
as Pizza Guy
Vitamin C
as Singer
Stephen Cilurzo
as Flowbee Announcer
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Critic Reviews for High School High

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (13)

  • The movie makes two mistakes: (1) It isn't very funny, and (2) it makes the crucial error of taking its story seriously and angling for a happy ending.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Except for dated homages to Deer Hunter and Rebel Without a Cause, High tries to squeeze guffaws out of the crumbling educational system, not exactly gut-buster material.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 1.5/4
    USA Today
    Top Critic

  • 'High School High' may push the envelope a little too far at times, but you won't be able to hold back the tears from laughing so hard. The first 30 minutes are pure gold!

    Jun 10, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Preston Barta

    Denton Record-Chronicle

  • Does drive home a few laughs, but not nearly as many as the Zucker name would lead you to believe.

    Sep 14, 2005 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Michael Dequina

    TheMovieReport.com

  • High School High has one or two genuine laughs with several chuckle-worthy moments peppered throughout, but this is pretty much a lackluster effort.

    Aug 1, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    David Nusair

    Reel Film Reviews

  • One joke movie that's one joke too long

    Jul 11, 2003 | Rating: 2/5

    Caffeinated Clint

    Film Threat
View All Critic Reviews (16)

Audience Reviews for High School High

  • Jul 02, 2012
    Decent comedy, but never anything good, High School High is a fairly forgettable comedy film that uses stereotypes to create its humor. The film manages to be fun, but is never good because the script is poorly constructed and the gags get tiresome after a while. With that said, this film doesn't withstand multiple viewings. This is the type of comedy that doesn't stand the test of time. Most of the jokes here aren't that funny to begin with, and what is supposed to pass a humor, just isn't that funny to begin with. Overall this is a fun film with minor laughs throughout, but is never anything great. This film is quite forgettable in the long run, and it doesn't have the qualities necessary to be a very good comedy. As a whole, it's a decent film, but relies too much on stereotypes which just becomes tiresome. This film could have been much better and it had a good idea for its plot, but like I said too many stereotypes cloud this one from being a good. Memorable comedy and it just ends up being a decent film with a few laughs. Nonetheless it's a fun film, but is not that good. If you're looking for a decent comedy with minor laughs, then this is a must see. However keep in mind that this film is never anything good, simply a decent film. The film had potential of being much better than this, as it stands, it's funny, but lacks anything really memorable. This is the type of comedy to watch if you have nothing else better to do. Not a bad film, but not that good either. This film could have been much better.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • May 15, 2010
    I wanted to see this movie because Jon Lovitz is on the cast list and because this movie was made by the same people who made Airplane. I thought this movie was much fun and Jon Lovitz is entertaining as always.
    Naughtia N Super Reviewer
  • Jan 11, 2010
    Decent parody of the genre. Also a good fit for <a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/jon-lovitz">Lovitz</a>.
    Ed K Super Reviewer
  • Oct 30, 2009
    When I 1st watched this movie in HS-I just thought it was stupid but now I just watched it again & I really enjoyed it.What happened to me???
    Brody M Super Reviewer
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