‘Guaranteed to jack you up…’
In some ways, it’s more challenging to review a beloved film that has survived numerous viewings. I’ve probably seen The Faculty more than any other film (albeit not for around 15 years) and so it is impossible for me to offer any kind of objective opinion on this movie. It’s all wrapped up in too many of my adolescent memories, it’s too familiar. I can pretty much recite this movie line for line, and so, of course, I absolutely loved watching it again after so many years…
When the faculty of a small town high school appears to be overrun by aliens, only a group of outcasts and misfits can save the day. And what a group: Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Clea DuVall, Jordana Brewster and Shawn Hatosy already makes for a wonderfully eclectic collective. Throw in a supporting cast featuring Salma Hayek, Robert Patrick, Piper Laurie Jon Stewart, Christopher McDonald and Usher (!) and you are talking about probably the most bizarre collection of people to appear on screen together throughout the entire decade of the ’90s.
I love everything about this movie. I love the soundtrack (The Offspring! Oasis! Garbage!). I love Hartnett’s walking contradiction Zeke who is for some reason a dropout drug dealer repeating his senior year and an accomplished scientist. I love Jordana Brewster’s shitty dialogue (from the pen of Scream co-creator Kevin Williamson, no less). I love it all. Sure, I was the right age for The Faculty when it arrived which is important, but I stand by the opinion that this is genuinely a great film that deserves a better reputation. It also came as part of director Robert Rodriguez golden run that also took in Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn. For a while there, he was one of the most promising directors in Hollywood. And then he made Spy Kids. But at least he’ll always have this wonderful piece of ’90s goodness. And so will I. What a world.
I honestly have no idea how The Faculty would hold up today for a first-time viewer, nor do I care. This is one of those movies that feels like it is mine and mine alone. Coming at it as a grown-up, someone who is literally part of the faculty rather than closer to high school age, only gave me a welcome fresh perspective adding an extra layer of enjoyment to what was already an incredibly enjoyable experience. Put simply, one of my all-time favourite genre movies.