The Underclassman 2005

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: Marcos Siega's direction is well-paced, but writers David T. Wagner and Brent Goldberg haven't brought anything sufficiently fresh or original to a formula plot. Read more

Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune: Underclassman flunks out. Read more

Christy Lemire, Associated Press: Consists of little more than tired racial jokes and fish-out-of-water gags. Read more

Joshua Katzman, Chicago Reader: This is geared toward the preteen set, but director Marcos Siega proves inept at executing the most basic dramatic and comedic setups, and Cannon's mugging and preening quickly grow tiresome. Read more

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: Hu, Marin and a very fine British actor, Hugh Bonneville (Iris) playing the school's headmaster, bring some desperately needed authenticity and texture to this Miramax film. Read more

Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle: Less an original product than a shoddy tribute to other mediocre cop movies. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: This is one of those movies where at the end of the year you'll say, 'Underclassman, what was that about? I don't even remember it.' Read more

Nathan Rabin, AV Club: Almost comically unambitious, Underclassman seldom tries to be funny, and never even attempts to be original. Read more

Kathy Cano Murillo, Arizona Republic: A been-there, done-that snoozer. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: Let me float the suggestion that it be rated PG-13-only, since anyone older than that will quickly realize he or she has better things to do than attend this pitiful Beverly Hills Cop retread. Read more

Michael Booth, Denver Post: Within that worn formula of cop-shop banter and implausible car chases, lanky Nick Cannon offers some mild entertainment for teenagers looking for a safe bet at the multiplex. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Like a student project sloppily cribbed from other kids' notes. Read more

Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly: The script, by David T. Wagner and Brent Goldberg, is breathtakingly bad. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: Screenwriters David T. Wagner and Brent Goldberg don't have tin ears, exactly; they've just recycled every movie quip they've ever overheard. Read more

Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger: The film is of little use to anyone except casting directors, fixed on selling a performer rather than telling a story. Read more

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: It's off to detention for Underclassman, a remedial comedy for idiots. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: The latest bit of damaged goods offered up in the Miramax clearance sale, Underclassman plays like the longest episode of 21 Jump Street ever made. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Underclassman doesn't even try to be good. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: It's not horrible, but it's not worth rescheduling your Labor Day barbecue around. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: It gets a failing grade even by the low standards of late-August Hollywood releases. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: If it weren't for the racist and puerile humour and the general laziness of the production, you could almost understand a movie like Underclassman. And maybe even forgive it. Read more

Mike Clark, USA Today: That sound you hear is from jet engines gassing up, about to zoom Underclassman to DVD-ville. Read more

Justin Chang, Variety: So far-fetched as to make Kindergarten Cop look comparatively austere. Read more

Nick Sylvester, Village Voice: Nope! I'm sorry, this won't do. Read more

Teresa Wiltz, Washington Post: If you saw 21 Jump Street back in the '80s, or any of a number of shows featuring cute and cuddly cops, you pretty much know where this flick is heading. Read more