Movie Review/Retrospective – Class Act

Release Date: June 5, 1992

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Production Companies: de Passe Entertainment

When I did my review on “House Party 3,” I noted that I went back and forth on doing that one and this film. Why? There are a number of reasons. I had wanted to touch on this one for a while, and it was appropriate to combine my “House Party” marathon with maybe a Kid ‘N Play marathon in general. Another reason is that “Class Act” was released between “House Party 2” and “House Party 3,” and I thought I should do them in order of release. This film is unrelated to those films, with Kid ‘N Play playing different characters and it having a different kind of story. Not to mention that it was rated PG-13, rather than R like the “House Party” films, which means that it’s much less vulgar.

I also have to make a note that I grew up on this film. I watched this a lot as a child as it was on HBO all the time. In fact, my sister and I would put it on if it happened to be on at that moment. Given that it was the 1990s, you’d have to be flipping through channels or look at something called the Prevue Channel to check listings, or look at a TV Guide or a listing that was included in the Sunday newspaper that had the listings for the week. My point is that times were different and it would be on frequently throughout the month. Although there were times I would even see it on a local channel on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, or even on BET.

Anyway, the story is a different take on “The Prince and the Pauper.” Instead of Kid ‘N Play sort of playing themselves (I also forgot to mention in my “House Party 1” review that his name was Peter, rather than Chris because both of their real names are Christopher), they are two different characters. Kid plays Duncan Pinderhughes, an overachieving bookworm who is on his way to a fictional Ivy League institution called Halford University, but all he needs is to pass physical education. Whereas Play, well, plays Michael Charles “Blade” Brown (from here on in, I’m just calling him “Blade”), a juvenile delinquent who’s had many run-ins with the law and his parole officer tells him that he not only has to go back to school, but also get good grades, especially being on probation. I must mention that the framing of the story is set with Duncan telling a jail guard the story of what happens during the course of the film while in a holding cell. So what you see at the beginning chronologically happens at the end of the story.

With that being said, Duncan and Blade attend the same school, but when the two cross paths, Blade shoves Duncan into the principal’s office and bumps into the principal’s secretary, played by the late Simply Marvalous (RIP). Which then leads to their records being mixed up because their headshots end up on each other’s records. The principal talks to Blade like he is Duncan as if he is some sort of genius and has him go to the gifted classes. Whereas with Duncan, the principal talks to him like he is some sort of criminal and has him go to the building on the back of the school where the lowest of the low when it comes to students go. It’s definitely the biggest joke of the movie because in what world would the principal think one person is the other, especially when either of them try to explain. Of course, both guys meet girls, with Blade meeting Ellen (Karyn Parsons) and Duncan meeting Damita (Alysia Rodgers). However, both of them meet again, with Blade now knowing someone is assuming his identity. Neither man is happy about this, but Blade decides to make a deal with Duncan: he wants him to pass all of his classes. Duncan wants Blade to pass P.E. for him. Oh, and initially, Duncan (with the reputation of Blade) meets Wedge, a big and muscular bully, who wants to fight Duncan the moment he meets him.

I found the whole thing funny because even as a child when I saw it, I was like “How would anybody think the other is that person?” But it led to some interesting character growth in some areas, like Duncan finding out that he can kick field goals by using science. Blade somehow finding out some other interests. As well as finding other aspects of the two female leads. Also, with Wedge, you would think he would be the main antagonist for the movie. Well, he was, but for the most part he was just the punching bag. But the real antagonist was a gangster named Mink, played by the late Thomas Mikal Ford (Tommy from “Martin”).

I will also note that there are some elements that are definitely of its time, and I am not talking about fashion, the New Jack Swing soundtrack, or even Pauly Shore just showing up. One of the running gags of this film was that Duncan’s parents had some “gay panic” because Duncan would go and hang out with Blade to go to clubs and stuff (which in hindsight, I wonder if their characters had fake IDs to get into). In the makeover scene, I was able to pick up on some, well, questionable dialogue that one could take out of context. Man, I am not even sure if that would have worked a few years after. Then again, part of the joke was that Duncan never had a clue that their parents were concerned about their son possibly being gay. So while the joke wouldn’t fly in some ways, it’s still funny.

Also, it kind of becomes a little cartoony in some areas towards the end with an out-of-place chase scene and ending up inside a wax museum that feels more like an amusement park attraction.

There are plenty of things that I could discuss, like when Blade was released from jail and went to school, as well as Duncan talking to the university recruiters. These happened before school started? What time was it? Blade never went home first? Then again, this is not a serious film at the end of the way.

Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but I’d say this film holds up. I forgot to mention this, but there was a funny character in this named Popsicle, played by comedian Doug E. Doug. I wouldn’t doubt if some of his dialogue ad-libbed. By anyway, it’s definitely a time capsule that felt dated as the 1990s progressed, let alone feels dated now. I still enjoy it, even though it’s not objectively a good film. But it’s a fun comedy if you’re into some goofy comedies.

Well, as noted before, I’m not done with the “House Party” marathon, or maybe I could be. I am still a little unwilling to do it. So I might take a break. Maybe I’ll touch on other things, or maybe I’ll finish it up. I shall see.