Judd Apatow seems to have a Midas Touch when it comes to comedy.  Whether it’s directing (The 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up), writing (Fun With Dick and Jane and Walk Hard) or producing (Superbad, Anchorman and the TV series Freaks and Geeks) he never misses.  In fact, the “worst” movies/TV shows he’s been involved in (that I’ve seen) are still attempts.

I thought that streak was coming to an end, however.  Trailers for his latest film, Drillbit Taylor (released 3/21), made me think it was an unnecessary Superbad prequel (which itself was essentially a 40YOV prequel) mixed with a little Fool’s Gold.  Directed by the same man who directed such “films” as Mr. Deeds, Little Nicky & Without a Paddle, I really didn’t think Steven Brill’s Drillbit would bring anything new or funny to the Apatowniverse™.  You have Ryan (Troy Gentile) as Seth (from Superbad)–pudgy & foul-mouthed; Wade (Nate Hartley) replaces Evan–skinny & awkward with girls; Emmit (David Dorfman) is McLovin’ Jr.–geeky look & geeky voice; and Drillbit (Owen Wilson) seems a character worthy of only Matthew McConaughey (there’s even a shot of Drillbit shirtless–McConaughey would be thrilled).

Even the “jokes” in the trailer are lame:
     A Tupac reference!
     An Asian guy who burns his hand in coffee!!
     Frank Whaley getting his butt kicked!!!
     “Ju-don’t know who you’re messing with”!!1!
     Bums in the teachers’ lounge!!11!
     Fat kid sleeping naked!!!11!
     “Crotch-blocker”!!!11! LOLZ!!1!1
All gems… or not…  But still, I thought this would be a huge disappointment that would provide good fodder for the SodBlog readers, so I prepared to suffer through opening night for the benefit of you, my reader(s?)…

Only to be mildly surprised with the film!

D’oh…

The lame jokes that were in the trailer are all here in the film (obviously the one was replaced with “cock-blocker”) but there are some better jokes that, strangely, didn’t make the trailer.  The kids are actually quite funny–McLovin’ Jr., not as much as the rapping fattie or the love-sick stringbean, but all three carry this film more than their adult counterparts.  There are some plot holes (could the kids really miss this much school for their “training”? Is this bully really that convincing to teachers and the principal?) but overall I found myself laughing too much to care.

Wilson is a bit grating (not sure I can really call this “acting”) and he seems to infiltrate the school (and Leslie Mann’s panties) a bit too easily.  I’d be able to believe it if he just hung out around the school, guarding the boys’ bodies (sounds dirty), but he actually is substitute teaching some classes!  What are the actual teachers or substitutes doing while some bum is teaching these kids?!

The writing is clever at times, even if the story feels like a John Hughes knock-off (thank you Edmund Dantes).  The middle section–as Drillbit enters the school–feels too drawn out, and the end–the final fight between the bullies and the bullied–feels too short.  And, I’ll admit that my heartstrings were pulled by Wade’s crush…

I’m not sure if high school bullies are ever quite this evil (samurai swords?! please…), but they need to be in this world of director Steven Brill, otherwise there would be no need to search for a bodyguard.  Nor, would there be a need if any of these kids’ parents were ever around… I guess in L.A. high schoolers don’t need parental guidance–just some encouraging words from a homeless guy.

In the end, Apatow only has a Touch of Bronze or Nickel instead of Gold for Drillbit.  But when you go in expecting so little, it’s easier for you to enjoy yourself (although not always the case—I knew Wild Hogs was going to be bad, and it didn’t disappoint!).  Or, maybe I should stop thinking anything Apatow has a hand in could be any less than