Being a great fan of the original series of St Trinian's films I admit I approached this new version with some dread. My greatest fear was that the makers had gone for a slapstick comedy, full of swear words and crudity. I need not have worried, as what we have here is a successful updating of a series of films, and cartoons least we forget the roots of the originals - that is full of fun, great in jokes, and a surprisingly good narrative.
Needless to say the basic plot is the same as always, ie the girls have to save the school from closure, and the way this is achieved is, within the limits set by the world the film inhabits, quite believable.
The humour in the film is at time, of course, risqué, but never crude, and I did not detect one swear word, quite a change for this day and age. The performances are universally good, without ever being excellent. Rupert Everett in his duel role may not be an Alister Sim, but he does OK, and Colin Firth as the Education Minister does have some very funny scenes, especially when the dog - Mr Darcy - is...?! See the film and you will see what I mean (of course there is a very nice in joke here, but I think many of the audience I watched the film with missed it!) Of the girls Jodie Whittaker as Beverly handles her role as a Plain Jane becoming a sexy Jaaannneee!!! very well. If there is a weak link in the casting then it must be Russell Brand as Flash Harry. Try as he might he just does not have the charm, or slim, of George Cole, and I am sure there must have been a better Flash out there somewhere! An honorary mention must be made of Stephen Fry as the host of a game show that is an obvious take on University Challenge - on which, of course, Fry appeared many years ago as a contestant (this intercontexuality just goes on and on!). Playing up to his image he has cultivated on QI, the scene in which he is stoned is quite superb! Although it may not go down as most people's favourite film of the year, and it might be a tad too British for foreign markets, especially USA!, this film is nonetheless a very entertaining diversion for 1 hour 40 minutes. Also it has a very good, and clever, soundtrack, with all versions of songs heard being by Female artists - even Girls Are Loud sound good! Finally, for those not in the know one of the girls who help to give Beverly a makeover is Zoe Salmon from Blue Peter, and she is very sexy!
Needless to say the basic plot is the same as always, ie the girls have to save the school from closure, and the way this is achieved is, within the limits set by the world the film inhabits, quite believable.
The humour in the film is at time, of course, risqué, but never crude, and I did not detect one swear word, quite a change for this day and age. The performances are universally good, without ever being excellent. Rupert Everett in his duel role may not be an Alister Sim, but he does OK, and Colin Firth as the Education Minister does have some very funny scenes, especially when the dog - Mr Darcy - is...?! See the film and you will see what I mean (of course there is a very nice in joke here, but I think many of the audience I watched the film with missed it!) Of the girls Jodie Whittaker as Beverly handles her role as a Plain Jane becoming a sexy Jaaannneee!!! very well. If there is a weak link in the casting then it must be Russell Brand as Flash Harry. Try as he might he just does not have the charm, or slim, of George Cole, and I am sure there must have been a better Flash out there somewhere! An honorary mention must be made of Stephen Fry as the host of a game show that is an obvious take on University Challenge - on which, of course, Fry appeared many years ago as a contestant (this intercontexuality just goes on and on!). Playing up to his image he has cultivated on QI, the scene in which he is stoned is quite superb! Although it may not go down as most people's favourite film of the year, and it might be a tad too British for foreign markets, especially USA!, this film is nonetheless a very entertaining diversion for 1 hour 40 minutes. Also it has a very good, and clever, soundtrack, with all versions of songs heard being by Female artists - even Girls Are Loud sound good! Finally, for those not in the know one of the girls who help to give Beverly a makeover is Zoe Salmon from Blue Peter, and she is very sexy!