Join us for this week's episode "Recess: School's Out". We talk character archetypes, diary blackmail, cool lasers, James Woods, and harkening back to a time of peace, love and not being able to trust anyone over 30 maaan. Does this movie have us wishing for an endless summer or are we ringing the bell for the first day of school? Find out now!
Storyline : It's the most exciting time of year at Third Street Elementary-- the end of the School Year! But boredom quickly sets in for protagonist TJ Detweiler, as his friends (the other 5 protagonist children) are headed for Summer Camp. One day, while passing by the school on his bike, he notices a green glow coming from the school's auditorium. This is the work of the insidious ex-principal of Third Street, Phillium Benedict and his gang of ninjas and secret service look-alikes! Benedict is planning to get rid of Summer Vacation using his newly-acquired Tractor Beam, which he stole from the US Military Base in an effort to raise US Test Scores, and it's up to the Recess Gang to stop him! In the end, TJ and the gang, with the help from the other students, Principal Prickly, Ms. Finster and the other teachers, destroy the laser, Benedict and his henchmen are arrested, and the kids (TJ's buddies) decide to spend their Summer with TJ.
Directors: Chuck Sheetz
Writers: Paul Germain, Joe Ansolabehere & Jonathan Greenberg
Stars: Rickey D'Shon Collins, Jason Davis, Ashley Johnson, Andrew Lawrence, Courtland Mead, Pamela Adlon, & Dabney Coleman
Awards: None
Film Budget: $23,000,000 (estimated)
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $44,460,850
This movie actually did have a pretty legit soundtrack. Here are some of our favorites below
There will be a pop quiz on these facts later, make sure to check them out!
At one point in the movie, Miss Finster yells out "HEY, Teacher! Leave them kids alone!". That is a line from, and a direct reference to, the 1979 hit "Another Brick In The Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd and later done by KoRn.
Burt Reynolds was originally cast as Benedict but was replaced with James Woods as the producers thought Reynolds' performance was too over-the-top and sinister.
The film was originally planned as a direct-to-video release, but due to the show's popularity, Disney allowed the film to be given a theatrical release.
At one point in the movie when Gus exclaims "ninjas why'd it have to be ninjas!" this is a direct reference to the Raiders of the lost Ark 1981
The 1960's models of Phillium Benedict is based on the character "Captain America" (Peter Fonda's character) in the movie "Easy Rider", the Song Born to be wild from the same film is also played in the film.
This Disney TV movie favorite is available here on Disney+
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