I love this movie so much

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Oh man, Back To School is one of my most watched comedies from the 80's era. This is the film that transformed Rodney Dangerfield from stand up comedy guy to a comedic actor and star. This is one of his finest performances in front of the big screen and Back To School made a lot of money. With the solid direction of Alan Meter, the screen writing by Harold Ramis and an excellent supporting cast, Back To School is a non stop party from start to finish, but also a solid well made movie that holds up after repeated viewings. In my opinion, this is Dangerfield's best film by far and the incredible support cast of Sally Kellerman (as Rodney's love interest), the criminally underrated Keith Gordon(as his son, and Keith always gave a memorable performance and good in everything I have seen him in),Burt Young,Ned Beatty, M Emmet Walsh,William Zapka(who previously was seen as a bully in The Karate Kid and Just One Of The Guys), the lovely Terry Farrell, an early performance from Hollywood wildman Robert Downey Jr. Plus cameos from maniac comedian Sam Kinison, Adrienne Barbeau and Kurt Vonnegut appearing as himself. Back To School is a great film and cinematic gold, an absolute comedy classic.

The late, legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield shines here in a vehicle for which he also helped concoct the story. He's at his funniest and most engaging, reeling off one priceless one-liner after another; you just can't help but like his character. He plays Thornton Melon, a self made millionaire who created a big business without the benefit of a higher education. When his geeky college age son Jason (Keith Gordon) expresses desire to drop out, not happy with his lot in life, Thornton is motivated to do whatever he can to help out the kid. His brainstorm is simple: enroll in college himself! He manages to buy his way in (donating money to a new business centre) and once settled in proceeds to not exactly take his education that seriously, becoming a life-of-the-party type who sometimes embarrasses Jason. He even has a team of professionals do his homework for him. When he's found out, it's up to him to actually learn some things in order to salvage the whole endeavour. With a screenplay co-written by Harold Ramis, director Alan Metter allows the cast and subsequently the viewer to simply have a lot of fun. The movies' good vibes are pretty hard to resist. There are some brilliant touches; just to name one, author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. cameos as himself, hired to write a paper about his own works, after which a professor exclaims that the writer doesn't know the first thing about Vonnegut! Dangerfields' lines are instantly quotable ("They should donate my body to science fiction!") and he also has a whale of a time singing a cover of the Beatles tune "Twist and Shout" (the same year that Matthew Broderick did this in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). The supporting cast is equally solid and memorable, especially adorable Sally Kellerman as Dangerfields' English professor and love interest. Also appearing are Burt Young, Robert Downey Jr., lovely Terry Farrell, M. Emmet Walsh, Adrienne Barbeau, "Karate Kid" villain William Zabka, Ned Beatty, Severn Darden, the late, great Sam Kinison, Robert Picardo, Edie McClurg, Timothy Stack, and Jason Hervey of 'The Wonder Years'. It's particularly great to see composer Danny Elfman on screen, performing with his band at the time, Oingo Boingo. Overall the movie IS very much of its time, but this is nothing but good if you are like this viewer and retain a fondness for the comedies of this era. If Thornton weren't a basically likable man who just wanted the best for his son, this wouldn't work as well as it does. But it DOES work, and we want to see these characters succeed, and take satisfaction in the way things turn out. The choice of Aretha Franklins' "Respect" to accompany the end credits is most appropriate. Eight out of 10.

Rodney Dangerfield, Sally Kellerman, Keith Gordon, Robert Downey Jr., Paxton Whitehead and Burt Young star in this 1986 comedy. Dangerfield (Caddyshack) plays Thornton Melon, a self-made millionaire who owns a chain of clothing stores and never finished school. Gordon (Christine) plays his teenage son, Jason who is just starting his first semester at college. Jason is having trouble fitting in and Thornton decides to enroll to be with him. At first, Thornton has a bit too much fun and doesn't take his academics seriously. Soon, things get a little tough for Thornton and Jason, but they help each other get through them. Kellerman (Moving Violations) plays Diane, a professor Thornton falls for, Downey Jr. (Iron Man) plays Jason's roommate pal, Derek, Whitehead plays professor, Phil who can't stand Thornton and Young (Rocky) plays Thornton's friend, Lou. This is a great 80's comedy that's definitely one of Rodney's best with a good cast & great score by Danny Elfman who also makes an appearance. I recommend this.

back to school is a great movie,and it would be nice if they made the soundtrack available to buy,because I would buy it.I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to see the soundtrack on compact disk.if anyone has heard anything please post.I have looked all over the internet.I came up empty.I checked amazon,nothing.it must be a hard compact disk to find.I don't think that they have put it on compact disk yet.I'm hoping they will.it would be nice.it's a great movie and has a great soundtrack.I have watched it many many times,it gets better each time.not sure if it will ever go to blu-ray,but that would be nice also.lots to like about the movie,and good actors.rodney dangerfield is always funny,as well as Sam Kinnison.they are both missed.I had no idea that Jim Carrey was considered for the movie.it's definitely one of the top comedy movies of all time.it would have been nice to see Sam Kinnison in more movies.this movie will be remembered as a great comedy,and will make anyone laugh.one of my favorite movies for sure.