Review of School Daze (1988) by Kevin R — 02 Oct 2014

Please, wake up!

A fascinating picture about fraternities at black universities. A geeky pledge at a gamma fraternity goes through numerous initiations to join the gammas. Meanwhile, the geeky pledge's older cousin strongly disapproves of fraternities, but actually endorses his cousin pledging. There is also another sub plot about the older cousin breaking up with his girlfriend because she wants to join a sorority.

"It takes a real man to be a gamma man, because only a real man is a gamma man.".

Spike Lee, director of Inside Man, She Hate me, 25th hour, Clockers, He Got Game, Girl 6, Jungle Fever, X, Do the Right Thing, She Gotta Have It, and Mo Better Blues, delivers School Daze. The storyline was interesting and worth following. I did like all of the characters and how they were portrayed. The ending was a flop. The acting was very solid and the cast includes Laurence Fishburne, Spike Lee, Giancarlo Esposito, Ossie Davis, and Joe Seneca.

"Fuck you, scrotum face!".

I generally enjoy watching Spike Lee movies. They are fairly inconsistent with some being much better than others. This is an above average film that I enjoy watching unfold. It isn't as dramatic as Higher Learning or nearly as impactful, or as funny as Animal House. In terms of quality, this is a big step down. But this is entertaining and worth a viewing.

"Roll call!".

Grade: C+.