Masterminds (1997)

Basically, a private school filled with rich twats and silly teachers disconnected from reality, is taken over by a computer genius and his armed thugs, as a part of a much bigger robbery heist. However, one of the school kids, who is also a computer genius and the social outcast, manages to evade capture and makes the lives of the bad guys a living hell. In other words, it's basically Home Alone, just taking place in a school and instead of mechanical contraptions you get computer gimmicks.I caught this movie one lazy afternoon on TV, and despite its childish dialogues, unrealistic portrayal of computers and other miscellaneous things that characterize a bad movie, it still made me laugh and spend a pleasant 90 minutes. Don't expect much as far as acting goes, and it doesn't help that 90% of the cast is either a stereotypical unimaginative mercenary hired by the bad guy, or a stereotypical unimaginative student/teacher, with the addition of a few stereotypical unimaginative cops (and soldiers at one point). Patrick Stewards certainly does a good job as the bad guy, but he knows this film is not going anywhere and it shows. He's just there having fun.The people who made this obviously had no idea what actual computers look like or how they work, or at least they made the assumption that the audience wouldn't know the difference, as is the norm for 80s and 90s movies (as well as plenty today). Particularly weird, is a scene at the beginning, where Oswald Paxton (the protagonist) is trying to pirate a game before its release and the security system of the company he's trying to hack into makes him play a racing mini-game, where he has to make it to the exit of a long corridor piled with skeletons coming out of closets, at which point he is granted access to the game files. "Oh brave hacker, pass the test and we shall see if you are worthy to pirate our game. Only the chosen one will distribute our game for free".At any rate, its certainly enjoyable. The dialogue, although badly written, is actually quite funny and the gags are also. The plot also isn't that bad, as you aren't informed on what the bad guys are actually trying to steal, but you get pieces of information as the film progresses and is revealed at the end, which is something that kept my attention. Also, seeing Patrick Stewart as the bad guy was actually pretty fun, and you get plenty of action too. 6/10

In terms of family films, 'Masterminds' would be rather average were it not for the fact it has somehow manages to boast a talented group of adult actors cast in key roles. The film focuses on sixteen-year-old delinquent Oz, who has just been expelled form his private school for yet another prank gone wrong. But after walking his eight-year-old step-sister to school one morning, he finds himself caught up in a ploy by a criminal group to hold the children hostage in exchange for a million-dollar ransom. Oz must then use his talent for pranks to free his step-sister and the other children.Vincent Kartheiser (better known as Connor in 'Angel') give a reasonable performance as Oz although a few might find the character too cocky and a bit annoying after a spell. But it is the adult actors who steal the show. Patrick Stewart is excellent as Rafe, the criminal heading the heist on the school and a man who is initially cool and reserved until his patience is increasingly tested by Oz. He has some great lines that he utters with the right amount of collected decorum. Brenda Fricker is a nice surprise as the disapproving school head teacher and Callum Keith Rennie is hilarious as one of Rafe's low-class henchmen.This film will probably entertain kids aged six to twelve who like action flicks and but are a little young for Bruce Willis yet want something more hard-hitting than 'Home Alone'. But for adults, it's worth a look-in for the adult cast. Besides, there aren't many films where you get to see Patrick Stewart in a Man. United shirt shouting 'United'!

Like seriously this movie is SO bad this kid is such a plug like seriously cut your hair and how dumb can these bad guys be he walks onto coal and see the pull cord things right beside him and the kid wouldn't of had time to but the burner against the nob. Also Wtf is with the mine scene that was SO bad they some would have died and your going to jail for ever anyways you terrorists just kill someone seriously toy soldiers is Way better and they would of killed the cops when they shot like 1000 bullets and them like what the shiz what are the cops doing just charging thats so stupid i would just kill the children I'm not even and the terrible sewer scene yet that I've herd so much about. PS how the hell does the kid know how to do that impossible hack thing he did wow such a bad movie as if professor x is in this disgrace.

I first saw this movie on cable, and loved it. After that i saw it a few more times, and each time noticed a little someting more new. Adults (over 25) may think of this as a foolish or dull movie, but it was not targeted towards them. It was targeted towards the high schooler who wishes something like this could happen so that he could feel better about himself. Each individual part is very well acted, and adjusted to work with the acting styles of the other actors. The harmony among the actors is impresive to say the least. V. Kartheizer is an actor that very few have heard of, but the work he does is outstanding. If you are looking for a movie to see on a friday night, this is it.