Old School

Mitch, Frank and Beanie are three thirtysomething guys who decide their lives need a reset. Tired of dull jobs and creeping adulthood, they start a new fraternity near their old college to recapture the energy of their youth. Their plan is simple, reckless and full of bad ideas: recruit a ragtag group of misfits, throw wild parties and try to act like the guys they once were. Predictably, their antics collide with campus rules, exes and more responsible adults, leading to escalating pratfalls and awkward attempts at keeping a fledgling brotherhood afloat without giving up whatever future they might still want.

Old School was released in 2003, directed by Todd Phillips and written by Court Crandall, Todd Phillips and Scot Armstrong. The movie arrived during a wave of early 2000s comedies that leaned on crude humor and star chemistry.

The film did well with audiences and proved commercially popular, drawing solid crowds thanks to its loud set pieces and big names. Its success helped studios see value in broad, male-oriented comedies aimed at young adults.

Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson stood out, with Ferrell in particular delivering an unpredictable, scene-stealing turn that fans still recall. The movie amplified a certain brand of frat-house comedy and contributed phrases, scenarios and visuals that other films and TV shows have echoed, even if it didn't invent the genre.

Critics were mixed to positive, and viewer ratings reflect a generally favorable response, the film holding a mid-to-high average on aggregate scores. Reviewers tended to praise the comic performances and chemistry while noting the script leans on gross-out gags and predictable beats. Underneath the slapstick there's a simple theme about friendship and the awkward gap between nostalgia and real life, treated more for laughs than deep reflection.