In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

John, a high school student, will inherit mucho moola if he stays out of the detention room at school. He fails to do it and gets socked with demerits. When the principal is away on a conference, erstwhile John arranges for a skid row denizen to take his place. Pourquoi? Because the new principal Fitz (Kevin Nealon) can get into computer files and erase any black marks on John's record. The course of true treachery, however, never does run smooth. And, behold, Fitz has cast his eye on a nice female teacher and aspires to run a tight ship.What an enjoyment this movie is! Nealon does a great job as the bum who cleans up good and charms. The students around him are typical teenagers who try to get the better of him, but, he does not have feet of clay. There's even a romance to satisfy those incurable types out there. Recommended as family fun, fun, fun till Daddy takes the VCR or DVD player away.

"Principal takes a Holiday" showcased the rather unorthodox acting style of Kevin Nealon, where he showed signs of brilliance with his quick wit, physical comedy, and dry humour. Zachary Ty Brian also showed promise, and expanded his already impressive young repertoire with this film. Although I wouldn't consider it a brilliant film by any means, I am going to recommend it for anyone that doesn't mind a few cheesy spots, yet is looking for a heartwarming "feel-good" movie, with a few moments thrown in aswell. At any rate, don't expect to be blown away by this film, or else you may be fairly disappointed.