“Drillbit Taylor” is a traditional comedic vehicle for Owen Wilson’s considerable skills, co-written by Seth Rogan (“Superbad”) and produced by Judd Apatow (“Knocked Up”). This winning comedy team has a knack for choosing young talent, with its three main characters perfectly portraying the victims of an out-of-control bully. With the pedigree of those involved, this high school coming of age story is only mildly amusing in its first half. The humor has been watered down a bit to gain a PG-13 rating, which does take some of the zing out of the jokes. Overall, Wilson’s charm and growth as a character during the film, together with a strong finish, makes “Drillbit Taylor” worth a viewing.
Where “Superbad” uses the backdrop of three high school seniors close to graduation, this movie explores the story of three freshmen just entering the hallowed halls of high school. Wade is gangly-looking with glasses, Ryan is overweight, and Emmit is petite for his age. Ryan and Wade gain the attention of the high school bully, Filkins, when they speak up against his treatment of Emmit on the first day of school. Filkins and his buddy decide to make these boys’ experience at school a living hell, as we see some rather extreme bullying. The three boys decide they have had enough and start looking to hire a bodyguard. Drillbit, unbeknownst to the kids, is living the life of a bum, but is played with Wilson’s trademark sharp wit and likeability. He convinces the kids to hire him for a modest fee, and uses his arsenal of tricks to protect them.
Wilson has some good lines in the course of the story. He is so full of himself, the audience tentatively believes in his wild stories and purported abilities. He is the kids’ mentor more than the main character, sharing screen time with his young protégés. The kids, while likeable, are not as funny as their equivalents in “Superbad,” but in their defense the dialogue is also inferior. The creative team does have a knack for showing realistic situations and relationships amongst today’s teenagers, separating them from prior generations. The story gains momentum as Drillbit takes the role of protector more seriously and the kids use some of his lessons - with mixed results.
The character of Filkins is especially terrifying. He is every person’s worst nightmare of a bully, a crazed senior with a bad home life and nothing to lose. The normal places kids would seek protection are useless, as Filkins is able to gain the school principal’s and parent’s sympathies for his situation. Drillbit gives the kids what they need: someone to believe them and take the situation seriously. As a fellow movie-goer perfectly encapsulates, “Drillbit Taylor” was decent up until the last half hour when it really “brings it.” I concur, the end is the perfect high note to the story, as a reckoning must occur and humor effortlessly pours forth.
Rated PG-13 for crude references throughout, strong bullying, language, drug references and partial nudity.