source: Summer School

This movie sums up the 80's as far as I'm concerned. It's your typical 'High School' comedy, everybody is in there including the Jocks, the Freaks and the Geeks. Two whole years before the unforgettable "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", the wise cracking Chainsaw and Dave were behaving in the exact way we all wished we could. Even if you only watch this movie for the classic scene, when the supply teacher is shocked out of the class, it would have been time well spent. It might be looking a little dated now, but it'll still make you laugh.

Lol..Just typing my summary line brings a smile to my face. Summer School is one of those movies that I continually drift back to every now and then for a good pick-me-up. It has very memorable gags and situations involving Chainsaw(Francis Gremp) and Dave are priceless. Mark Harmon does very well as the laid back remedial English teacher,Freddy Shoop. And Kirstie Alley as Robin Bishop is good in her scenes. The real star of the movie for me is Dean Cameron as the aforementioned Chainsaw. Cameron does his usual slacker bit that he does in Ski School and Miracle Beach. But in this movie, it really worked as his dead-pan enthusiasm for horror flicks makes me crack up every time. There are several stereotypical high school people in here but that's part of the 80's. Basic premise is a bunch of misfits have to take English again in summer school and Mr. Shoop has to teach them in order to get a tenure. However,he is a kid at heart himself and has to grow a little with his students who agree to study only if he does them favors. I was elated to see this film finally out on DVD and I picked it up at FYE for only 9.99. "Remember I'm Chainsaw. I'm Dave. We'll see you at the movies".

SUMMER SCHOOL (1987) **1/2 Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, Robin Thomas, Courtney Thorne Smith, Dean Cameron, Gary Riley, Shawnee Smith. Harmon stars engagingly as a high school gym instructor forced to give up his Hawaii summer vacation and teach remedial English with the usual assorted motley student rejects. Often funny and a nice turn by Cameron and Riley as a pre "Bill and Ted" afficionados of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" making things lively for the dullness of being in school during the lazy, crazy days of summer. Directed by Carl Reiner (who cameos as the assigned teacher winning the lottery and skipping out of his assignment).

"Summer School" is a prime example of a film that over-achieves. It appears to be a typical teen comedy, but its screenplay is so smart that it is hard dislike. Carl Reiner's direction is substantial as he never tries to make the film more than it is. Mark Harmon does some of the best work of his ho-hum career as a high school physical education instructor who must teach a group of lazy students who all have more personality than brains. Kirstie Alley stars as the next-door teacher who teaches Harmon a few things about education. All of the students have their moments as well. However, it is Dean Cameron as "Chainsaw" who steals every scene and makes the film fun throughout. A strange over-achiever. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I'm not a big fan of comedies, or romances, or, romantic comedies. But I had a chance to catch this on television last weekend, and I enjoyed it as much as when I first saw it. Yes, it was utterly predictable (which is why I usually don't watch romantic comedies). But it had something that so many comedies, particularly the newer ones, don't -- heart -- what with how the main character (the under-rated Mark Harmon) and his students helped each other grow up. And it was clever and funny without being dirty or vulgar -- it has not a smidgen of the potty humor that infects more recent offerings. And there was no sex, but it showed a young single pregnant girl making the mature choice to have her baby adopted. If you like this movie, or this kind of movie, try also the original Meatballs, a similar story with the fabulous Bill Murray in the lead.

"Summer School" is ones of those films which you just can't take seriously. Don't expect award winning acting or a deep and meaningful storyline. What you will be treated to is lighthearted entertainment which in some way, shape, or form will make you laugh. Mark Harmon plays a high school gym teacher who must give up his own summer vacation to teach English to a group of easy living students. Along the way they all partake in various adventures thus leading up to a happy ending. Nothing complicated at all. The movie features some rather amusing and quite creative scenes (the classroom gore-fest done to scare away a substitute teacher and the petting zoo prank using toy bunny rabbits as killers)as well as some funny lines(big jock showing up only on the first and last day of class saying his zipper got stuck in the bathroom and he ending up getting an A+ on the final.) I'm sure anybody who lived through high school can relate to many of the students! Looking for drama, look elsewhere. Looking for fun, check out this entertaining movie!

I love this movie. Obviously not serious fare, but just funny and entertaining as hell. Absolutely packed with VERY good jokes EVERYWHERE...every time I watch it I find new ones. And all the jokes work so well. So light-hearted and enjoyable, you can't help but love this movie. It's like watching old Simpsons reruns...never seems to get old.

When the summer vacation comes, the gym teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon) is ready to travel to Hawaii with his girlfriend. However, he assigned by Vice Principal Phil Gills (Robin Thomas) to give English classes in summer to undisciplined and mediocre high-school students. When Phil promises to fire Freddy unless his students pass the test, he agrees to grant a wish from each student if they study the English lessons he prepares with the support of the history teacher Ms. Robin Elizabeth Bishop (Kirstie Alley). "Summer School" is a funny and entertaining comedy from the 80´s and underrated by professional critics. This movie certainly would never be an Oscar nominated but it is hilarious and makes the viewer laugh. Mark Harmon´s procedures and deal with the class is very funny and Kirstie Alley and Courtney Thorne-Smith very beautiful. My vote is seven. Title (Brazil): "Curso de Verão" ("Summer School")

Being directed by Carl Reiner does not always mean an automatic hit. This is a typical high school flick with the usual teacher(Mark Harmon)that does not want to be there. Add in the misfit students that damn sure don't want to be in summer school. Somehow the "teach" hones in on the right wave length and actually gets the students to learn. Of course there has to be a love interest and it is Kirstie Alley looking probably her best. Goofy and off beat. No great shakes. Also in the cast are Robin Thomas, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Dean Cameron and the hot Shawnee Smith.