It was the time when pop culture was obsessed with high school aesthetics, barbie looks and nu metal was on the rise for angsty teens. "Faculty" is one of those cultural milestones that captures that era perfectly.
A lot of older actors who became known for roles in classic 80s and 90s movies like Terminator (Robert Patrick), Happy Gilmore (Christopher McDonald), Dust Till Dawn ( Salma Hayek) as well
I agree 1000%! I also think the cast had incredible chemistry together and they felt like real, average high school kids who almost looked the proper or close enough age compared to movies who cast 30 year olds to play 16 lol. I also cared about these characters and were rooting for them to make it to the end. Even the bitchy, bully popular girl had a nice arc and redeemed herself for being a bitch by the end of the film.
One of the things I appreciated on a recent rewatch is the progression of the invasion through the school. Symbolized by that fighting couple who by the end of the day is walking arm in arm. You see people lined up at the water fountain, everyone handing out water bottles - the world building is so good and tense, even though it’s just one school.
It took me way too many rewatched to realized that the dude in the fighting couple is played by Jon Abrahams, aka Bobby from "Scary Movie". 2 of the movies I've watched the most in my early teens...
I agree. As a young actor he was a lot of fun to watch. As the people in here have said collectively: The Faculty, Halloween H20, Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbor, Lucky Number Sleven, were all great movies, and at the time I also loved what was it, 40 Days and 40 Nights - might be cringey now but I would have to re-watch to confirm. It is a shame that his youthful charisma didn't carry over well as he got a little older. I had really hoped to see him in a lot more but he seemed to hit a wall by the early 2000's that he couldn't quite get over.
Oh man, Chris, I love that you love this movie. Been a not so guilty pleasure of mine my entire adult life. I love the cast, the tongue-in-cheek humor, the practical effects, the 90s nostalgia-it’s just a really, really good time.
I can't believe you didn't mention Piper Laurie from Carrie as one of the teachers and Salma Heyak as the class nurse who is addicted to pills. And that scene you talked about where they are passing around Zekes drug to test if they are alien or not is such a great tribute to The thing where they are testing the blood. Such an underrated movie and one of my favourites from that era.
I LOVE this movie. The cast is SO awesome, that you can feel almost everyone of them could be the total protagonist of this story. They are written that well.
I've always loved this movie. My sister and I always watched it when it came on TNT in the late 90s and early 2000s, which was a lot. I was so happy to hear you reference the TV edit with Josh Hartnett yelling phooey. That always cracked us up. That and at one point someone says something like, "I'm gone for five minutes then come back and everyone's a fuzzy alien."
The film definitely does feel like a cross between Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, The Thing, and The Breakfast Club. And I do think that Robert Rodriguez is one of the best working directors in the last 20 years.
This and sin city have kind if convinced me that much like Zack Snyder, Rodriguez is a great director with a great who should never ever write his films.
Yes! I lost the CD years ago but remembered enough of it to download the music and I still listen to them! I love the song when Josh Hartnett drives up to school 😎 Helpless
Always loved this movie. You forgot to mention two things: Bebe Neworth also kills it in this movie! She’s hilarious. Also the SOUNDTRACK slapssssss I saw it on Vinyl in my local record store and I totally regret not buying it. My favorite band Garbage is on it along with the Offspring, Soul Asylum, Sheryl Crow and a cover of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall… sooooooo good!
3:04 yeah great cast and you forgot to mention Elijah Wood, who’s also in the film and he gives a good performance and he has good character development as well.
The cast of the Faculty is nuts. I thought that then and I think that now. Full of stars and talented artists. baby Frodo. I saw this in the theater and watched it all the time on cable growing up.
Before I watch this review, I just want to say I love this movie. Edit: Wait...did you do an entire review without even mentioning that Elijah Wood was one of the main characters? That was weird.
He hates Elijah. Elijah and him got into a fist fight in the parking lot of a Chili’s. He said “what’s up hobbit, are those baby back ribs too big for you?” And then it was on.
I remember watching this multiple times on the SyFy channel like half a lifetime ago. The climax was my favorite part, because of the queen. She had a freaking cool design! I love that shot of her in her human form walking through the locker room naked, with the shadow of the creature spread all throughout the room. That shot says everything about this movie to me. I need to watch it again, especially after watching this review.
Same here; except I was in the hospital until earlier today. Nothing big, I just threw up while having a seizure, again. But while i was in the hospital, I saw Chris's upload of his review of The Faculty, one of my favorite Teen horror movies. With Robert Patrick, Jon Stewart, Josh Hartnett, Usher Raymond(the famous R & B singer), the girl from the X-Men movie trilogy, and even Elijah Wood, the cast in this movie were amazing. And this movie being directed by Robert Rodriguez too? I forgot how great this movie was. I haven't seen it in a long time. First time I saw it, was on tv, as a kid, in 1998. Great movie. It's also got the dude who played Hyde from That 70's Show, one of the best sitcoms ever. This movie's got an AMAZING cast. That's why I saw it. Like Chris said, not that scary, but it's somewhat scary, if you don't know what to expect. Like aliens, Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Usher, Robert Patrick, etc., this movie's better than most people give it credit for. And I've only seen The Faculty like, 3 times. Still great. Glad Chris covered it. It's still one of the best horror movies out there, that doesn't feel like a horror movie, but a combination of The Thing, The Breakfast Club, and Invasion of The Body Snatchers, according to another commentor, but I definitely agree, and also think that it's like The Thing meets The Breakfast Club and Invasion of The Body Snatchers. But more so taking elements from all 3 movies. And I could definitely see it again. I hope Chris also covers Fright Night, either the 1985 original, or the 2012 remake. They're both great horror movies, even though the original was better, and I also saw it on tv as a kid, i wasn't born in the 80s, but the early 90s. And while i wasn't a HUGE fan of horror movies, i could always appreciate both The Faculty and Fright Night(both versions of Fright Night). Both The Faculty and Fright Night are still great movies, and definitely will be for years to come. But that's just my opinion. I also agree, thanks for the awesome videos, Chris!
The scene where they all get zoinked and leading up to the football game playing Another Brick in the Wall pt 2 by Class of 99’ will forever be one of my all time favorite scenes in a film. Excellent movie.
"Bull Flippin' Spit!" That's my favorite television edit in a film. It was from 'The Crow'. It was made all the more glorious by the fact that the ADR was weirdly well matched, so it almost felt like an actual line in the movie.
Good call on "The Faculty"! It does go under the radar and could use some props! I would include "Phantoms" which also came out in '98 as a similarly under appreciated film. Heck let's throw in 1988's remake of "The Blob" while we're at it! A good monster triple feature I would say!
The blob is just the best. I seen it when it was on TV way back in the early nineties and remember really enjoying it just a year or so I bought the DVD but was a little afraid to watch it for fear it wasn't as good. The film is an absolute unquestionable masterpiece genuinely funny horrifying claustrophobic fantastic cast and importantly a great story,
I had actually read the book "Phantoms" by Dean Koontz before renting the tape, and I was satisfied with the adaptation! Sadly they had to cut the B-plot with the bikers and shit, and the monster "Proteus", isn't as cool as he is in the book, but it was still, for the time, a solid adaptation.
Born in 96 I would always catch my mom and aunt watching it on tv and never payed enough attention...rewatched it about 2 years ago and man what a great movie with more than enough young stars in the making ..this movie will always hold a good memory in my heart
I remember this from the theater back in the day. Ive been trying to remember the name of it. Now Mr Stuckmann has fulfilled the hole in my soul. Til tomorrow anyway.... keep it up man. You're reviews feel something like community.
This was so in my wheelhouse. I was in eighth grade, working at the theater, and got me and all my friends in for free. It was just so fun and I thought all the characters were soooo cool. Scary moments, funny moments, and honestly a fairly relatable high school movie. I seriously love this movie. It holds up pretty darn well, too. Some years later I randomly got to speak on the phone with Famke Janssen. I told her this basically this exact same thing hahaha.
I love this movie! The Faculty is better than most people let on! Along with Scream, Scream 2, I Know You Did Last Summer and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer make me miss the 90s more.
Zeke had the best arc as he finally accessed his massive potential, helped save the world, started applying himself in the epilogue, and got Famke Janssen as a bonus.
Only watched this for the first time earlier this year and it's now one of my favourite movies! The storyline felt like it could of been from a goosebumps book which I loved to read as a kid, that's what I loved most about this movie
Man, I can’t believe you didn’t mention the soundtrack!!! There is a version of another brick in the wall with Lane Staley (Alice in chains) singing and Tom morello(rage against the machine) on guitar, and Steven Perkins(janes addiction) on drums. It’s great
Same here. How could you NOT talk about The Faculty? One of the most underrated horror movies in the late 90s, that had one of the best horror movie casts out there. But I only saw the edited for tv version where Josh Hartnett's character screams "FOOEY!" instead of "FUUUCK!" Which was always hilarious to me as a kid. But I still loved the movie. There was nothing to really hate about the movie. Unless they made an awful sequel that I didn't know about? But I could probably still see it. If Fright Night can survive 2 awful sequels, then I'm sure The Faculty can do the same. It's one of the best horror movies out there for a few reasons, starring a whole bunch of actors who'd hit the big time, or were about to, when this movie was coming out. And they did. And even the dude who played Hyde from That 70's Show was in this movie. It deserves to be remembered as a classic. It's not the scariest movie out there, but there's ALOT of things to remember about The Faculty. And I've only seen The Faculty like, 3 times. But I never forgot it. Maybe Chris can talk about more classic horror movies like Fright Night. And if you never heard of it, it's a classic mid 80's horror movie that had a remake in 2012. And both versions had a sequel. If you're into actual vampire horror movies, I highly recommend Fright Night, one of the most original 80's vampire horror movies starring Roddy McDowell, Chris Sarandon, and a whole bunch of other actors. So if you never saw it, check out Fright Night(either the 85 version or the 2012 remake with Mclovin from Superbad, David Tennant, and Colin Ferrell. The remake isn't perfect, but it's still pretty much great. Anyways, I'm glad Chris talked about The Faculty too. Love this movie.
I def went to the theatres for Usher, stayed for Jordana Brewster who at the time in my 10 year old brain was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen lol
For a few years after this came out, every time I heard Another Brick in the Wall, I would immediately think of this movie. And School's Out, but that was mostly due to the marketing. Always found it funny that the queen alien could easily shift from a petite teenager to this Lovecraftian monstrosity. Part of the fun.
I think you might be thinking of Disturbing Behavior in relation to the Pink Floyd song? I don't remember it being in The Faculty (although I can certainly see the relationship). Maybe it was in both.
Love you, happy Halloween special. been watchin' ya for years. you help me get through work shifts man. proud of your growth, hope your family is well. :)
THANK YOU!!! Underrated as hell, great acting, script and vibe. It just nails what it sets out to do. Shout out to Hybride for doing lots of great VFX on Rodriguez's late 90s and early 2000s work (The Faculty, Spy Kids series, Once Upon a Time In Mexico, fucking Shark Boy and Lava Girl, Sin City)
Just revisited this for the first time in years, funny that he's reviewing it now. I loved it as a kid and it still holds up well. It's a shame it wasn't as much of a smash hit and known classic like Scream.
thank you so much for this review. been waiting on it forever. such a good cast and such an entertaining movie. one of my favorite overall movies from the 90s
This movie is a Classic. A TV-edit that stayed with me was for "Speed", they changed "fuck you." to "get you." Not "I'm gonna get you", just "get you". And it's at the beginning of the movie when Jeff Daniels says it right before he dies because he's annoyed, the edit is said like it's trying to be badass and it's hilarious.
I remember when I watched this movie at the movie theater. I was the only one of my gang that liked. And I even bought the soundtrack CD and listened to it every day over and over. I think I will watch it again.
This thing came out in the era of I know What You Did last summer, scream, etc. I'm not into monster movies but I do like a good mystery or a who is the bad guy sort of thing and this looked like most of it would be right up my alley at the time so I bought it on VHS back in the day. It had one of those real cheap prices on a sale I think so I just grabbed it cheap. I saw enough of the ads or hype around it to have a good idea what the movie would be like and it looked like it was a very interesting and pretty diverse cast considering the type of movie it was also. I guess I could tell it had a lot going on and was a little bit better than it first appeared to be. Much of that credit is likely due to Robert Rodriguez doing such a great job. Sure it was kind of a alien monster invasion thing but it was an interesting alien monster invasion thing with a setting I could relate to as a youngster. I was around the same age as those cast members were so I was all for it. I remember being surprised that occasionally I kept re-watching it. I thought I would watch it once or twice and kind of be done but again and again every now and then I kept thinking why not watch that movie again. It's a good movie, sort of, and I always enjoyed the rewatches. Also I agree the scene where she does not hesitate to shoot her bully at school. Awesome scene. That character was awesome, much of the movie is awesome. It's a pretty good flick. Great Halloween pic. Since it was a VHS copy it has been years and years since I have seen that though. I think it's time I found it streaming somewhere or found it however needed to add to Plex and re watch it yet again. Looking forward to it, that movie is a lot of fun. Always lots of fun too we watch a movie at 40 plus with a 2021 perspective on movies I last remember seeing more around the age of 20 when I was a young dumb kid who didn't know what I know now. Only now can I accurately tell what is good from what is bad. Older and wiser... ;)
You can see why he gets along with Tarantino so much...they have such a love and unbridled love for their work...all they care about is their vision for a film and it shows in their work.
Thank you for this.This movie has alot of great memories for me and I havent thought about it in a long time. Will definitely by my first watch on Halloween.
This is one those movies you think it's a guilty pleasure and when you see Chris Stuckman speak so many positives, you realize it's actually f... awesome!
That was the last Halloween movie I ever watched. I had no idea it existed until a few years back. Whereas Halloween: Resurrection has been deservedly enshrined in the category of "legendarily bad movies", "The Curse of Michael Myers" has been written out of history. Nobody wants to acknowledge that it's even a "thing". ...Long story short, I didn't believe a Halloween movie could be worse than Resurrection. I was wrong. I was very wrong. :(
This movie used to constantly play on the sci-fi channel in the early 2000’s. Me and my dad would always watch it whenever it came on. I love this movie.
I've always thought Josh Hartnett is a really, really good actor, but he gets overlooked for the most part. I don't even know if he makes movies anymore, I don't think I've seen him in a while.
@@slayer45670 Absolutely! He was also really good in Halloween H20. He filmed H20 and The Faculty pretty much back to back/simultaneously and H20 was the first out and therefore had the “Introducing Josh Hartnett” tag in the credits. He shared great chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis and I totally buy them as mother and son. One of the many reasons H20 is my ending for the Halloween series. I think people let Pearl Harbor kind of color their view of him, but honestly he did fine in that film. He didn’t really embarrass himself.
@@ericspearman2998 Pearl Harbor is a horrible film, but Josh Hartnett did his best with what he was given. I'd totally forgotten he was in that. I only saw it once and hated it.
I also never understood it...because I'd seen him as an up and coming leading man and co-star to people like Harrison Ford etc...then he went quiet for years until I saw him in Penny Dreadful which was so good.
I liked the scene when they were snorting the caffeine drugs….it was very much like the scene in ‘The Thing’ where they need to find out who among them is human and who isn’t
This movie was always one of my favorites growing up. Amazing Cast and Characters, Amazing story. It hits all the right beats. I need to go watch this again.
I complete forgot about this film! Thank you for the reminder, this movie was interesting when I first saw it. Glad to see it get some praise it deserves!
I saw this in theaters with a friend of mine when I was 17 and we both loved it. It's still one of my favorite movies and one of the top from the 90s in general.
Haven't watched this movie in forever!! But I loved it!! Always liked this movie for some reason!!! Gonna have to give it a rewatch now, deff 90s vibes
TY for doing this! I remember watching this for the first time in 2018. Thought it was so good and I was blessed to come upon it! I'm young if you couldn't tell from this comment. You're right, very 90's and in a natural way
