Drillbit Taylor (2008)

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

An entertaining movie on the whole, but I would neither call it a comedy, nor a drama.It's *supposed* to be a comedy, but you'll be hard-pressed to find any funny moment in it. Entertaining is not the same as funny. It would probably pass for a 'drama', but it isn't serious/deep/believable enough to be classed as that.Too much violence for a movie with such a theme, and that scene at the end, when Drillbit's finger gets cut off... it was really out of place and uncalled for.Owen Wilson looks bored and uninspired throughout the whole movie. His performance is quite poor, and his character - unlikeable.The kids were very good, though. They were convincing in their respective roles, except the Asian girl. I didn't understand the skinny guy's crush on her. She was completely wooden, and why was she at the bully's party? I thought Filkins (the bully) was too old for the part. He looked at least 10 years older than his victims! No bully of his age would pick on kids that much younger, so it all looked like a joke really. He is actually quite likable and doesn't quite pass for a bully to begin with.I won't even mention the principal, Drillbit's cronies, or the boys' families... those characters were so incredibly unconvincing... utter failure.Anyway, it's a half-decent movie that you can watch more than once and still find entertaining. If you're into analyzing movies, then you won't like this one; but if it's just some light-hearted entertainment you're after, then this movie is definitely worth seeing.

Based on an original idea by the Great/Late John Hughes, 'Drillbit Taylor' is a heart-warming film, that deserved a better deal, critically & commercially! I loved it & Owen Wilson's incredible performance, just made it superior.'Drillbit Taylor' Synopsis: Three kids hire a low-budget bodyguard to protect them from the playground bully.'Drillbit Taylor' isn't path-breaking cinema & it never pretends to be either. This under-rated comedy is a heart-warming film, that deserves a watch for the deliciously funny moments it packs in. Kristofor Brown & Seth Rogen's Screenplay is damn funny & equally engaging. Steven Brill's Direction is good. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are decent.Performance-Wise: Owen Wilson delivers an incredible performance as Drillbit Taylor. He's at his best! Troy Gentile is superb. Nate Hartley & David Dorfman are unforgettable. Leslie Mann does her bit well. Alex Frost is very genuine, while Danny R. McBride leaves a mark.On the whole, 'Drillbit Taylor' is an under-rated comedy, that shouldn't be missed, especially by the fanatics of Wilson.

Three kids--best buds Wade(Nate Hartley)and Ryan(Troy Gentile)and shrimpy,spaz-like Emmett(David Dorfman)--are united by a common anxiety in their freshman year in high school: the perpetual abuse of ruthless thugs Terry Filkins(Alex Frost)and his toady Ronnie(Josh Peck). Fed up with the abuse in short order,they seek the help of a bodyguard and after going through a number of candidates whose asking prices are more than these lads can pony up,they settle on a charismatic Army vet named Drillbit Taylor(Owen Wilson,charming as a seemingly oft-unscrubbed target of abuse,both verbal and physical)who can talk the talk of a tough guy/guardian/sensei but seems to be more intent on...well,something more.That something more is mostly sponging money and swag from the kids' well-to-do families,which he helps pirate with the counseling of his fellow societal cast-offs(led by the always priceless Danny McBride). Drillbit,you see,is much more of a "homeless slacker" than "master warrior/guardian",and is in the midst of pulling off a fairly well-trailed con. All as the boys he's "taken under his wing" take to heart his lessons and simultaneously try to avoid their tormentors/get them back in the process.Nothing really new or inherently interesting in and of itself(i.e. the 'high school is unfair',heroes as persecuted,bullies being heartless jack-offs,tough-guy to weakling budding relationships,etc.),and director Steven Brill,along with co-writers Seth Rogen and Kristopher Brown(I believe both also writers of the considerably better SuperBad)don't engineer anything exceptional as a whole product. The real attractions are Wilson,milking every ounce of his own distaff,bent charms and loser charisma,McBride as the less-honorable crony of Drillbit's,and the five principle teen players just mentioned. Engaging,sympathetic,tangible and none-too-much-over-the-top characters make this less-than-two hour exercise more than tolerable,even quite funny(if not exceptional or even really memorable).Movies being increasingly more expensive(and that's even WITHOUT the 3-D glasses),it makes one like myself consider carefully which shows to try and plunk down any geld. I was initially kinda curious about this one but didn't act on it. Seeing it some time after it's gone to rentals doesn't change my verdict,but I can still feel good about giving this one a spin.

Drillbit Taylor was a movie I had no expectations for coming in, not because I'm not Owen Wilson's biggest fan, it's just the movie didn't appeal to me that too much, but I was pleasantly surprised. I laughed quite a bit whenever Owen would try to impress the kids with his tactics, but ultimately ended up failing. It also helps that most of the kids were likable as i'm very picky on kid actors. Owen Wilson was actually pretty likable in this one, he can be a talented comedian but he overdoes it sometimes.Bottom line. This is just a nice enjoyable movie to sit down and watch to pass the time. It was much better then I thought it was gonna be, and that's really all I could ask for. Recommended7/10