Degrassi High: School's Out!
Running Time: 120 minutes
Rating: M
Distributor: Force Entertainment


A conversation arose the other day around the question of why exactly the Degrassi TV series from the '80s and early '90s was so good. No-one could really answer with any conviction, and I still can't put my finger on any one certain aspect. Maybe it's the fact that instead of child actors, everyday, real kids played the parts. Maybe it's the controversial topics that are portrayed without any backward steps, educating so many. Maybe it's the heart-warming idea that whilst the Degrassi kids grew up, we too grew up with them, forming some sort of Australian/Canadian extended family thanks to the trusty government programmers at AB TV. Of course, if you're over 30 years old, or under 21, you probably just - don't - get - it. How unfortunate. Both for those keeping the Degrassi faith and the curious few who want to know more about such fanaticism, now is the time for you to re-live your teen years thanks to Degrassi's evolution to the DVD world.

"School's Out" is the big feature-length movie finale from 1991 to end the Degrassi series. As a side note, this is not your typical movie structure with four TV-friendly 25 minute episodes following each other, divided by credits and lengthy 'what happened last episode' blurbs. It's cute, that's all. I dare to say the cuteness stops there, but that's not true. When Joey (Pat Mastroianni) loses his virginity and dates two girls at once, the coverage is provocative but only in a school-ish, cheeky sense. A tone of innocence and fun lingers when Joey and Wheels (Neil Hope) tease Snake (Stefan Brogren) about his virginity. Out of the blue comes the memorable and punchy 'f' word from Snake, quickly repeated by innocent Caitlin (Stacie Mistysyn) but despite the scandal and shock - it's still just so cute.

Hitting a lot closer to home is the car-crash sequence in which only the brutal aftermath is shown. Shot tastefully yet with impact, a young child's body is carried by an ambulance officer and the hard-hitting line again blurs with the show's so darned endearing side.

Degrassi hasn't dated a day, because despite teen issues varying in specific nature, the fact is that teens always have issues. Focusing on the ideas of community and facing some of the worst things that can happen in life is what makes Degrassi such compelling viewing. Hollywood teen-movies with their political correctness and emphasis on contemporary conversation should take note.

Steven Williams