The Faculty

Starring: Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy, Famke Janssen, Piper Laurie, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Usher Raymond, Jon Stewart, Elijah Wood, Salma Hayek
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Box Office: $40,283,321
1998

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Strange things start happening at Herrington High. A small group of students soon realize their faculty have been taken over by extraterrestrial parasites, bend on world domination. This group, composed of a geek (Elijah Wood), a rebel (Josh Hartnett), the popular head cheerleader(Jordana Brewster), a new student (Laura Harris), athlete(Shawn Hatosy), and a got chick (Clea DuVall) must figure out a way to stop the aliens, before their high school is taken over, then the city, then the world.

Review:
Tim: This film takes a fairly silly plot: aliens planning to take over the world, starting with a high school in Ohio(?), and adds into it intelligence, humor, and a slew of excellent actors. This film is not incredibly scary, but that doesn't matter. The film is entertaining from start to finish, and you quickly find yourself wrapped up in the characters, relating especially with the stereotype that you yourself fell closest towards while you were in high school.

The cast was wonderfully put together. Josh Hartnett is perfectly cast as the rebel, and brings a quieter, more intelligent side to the character. Elijah Wood is excellent as the geek, having some of the best lines in the film, and my favorite character in the movie. I believe this is the first film I've seen Laura Harris is, but I was very impressed with her. She didn't do anything incredibly spectacular, but I really enjoyed her performance. The cast as a whole is so strong, from the students, to the faculty themselves: It was nice seeing Jon Stewart, although he didn't have much room to be funny, except when he screams, and it was fun spotting Salma Hayek in her small role. Robert Patrick plays his typical chilling self, as the head football coach. He was scary in Terminator 2, and is scary in this film.

Like I previously mentioned, the film really isn't all that scary, but there are a number of quite suspenseful parts, and I believe I muttered, "Oh shit" three or four times. This film isn't anything extraordinary by any means, nor does it shed new light on anything in particular. However, it is quite entertaining, albeit a bit far fetched. The cast makes you love them, and really make this movie much better than it otherwise would have been with a less talented bunch of actors. Its worth watching this movie just to see the crop of young actors performing excellently. Its definitely a teen flick, however, for better or for worse.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Thirteen Ghosts, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Cruel Intentions, Scream