Frank's film tip: "Orange County" is another "fruit"-less comedy that randomly goes through its run-of-the-mill vibes as a teen laugher
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The pedigree for the participants in "Orange County" are a viable one considering the casting with the likes of acting dynasty offspring Colin Hanks (son of two-time Oscar-winning Tom Hanks) and Schuyler Fisk (daughter of Oscar-winning Sissy Spacek) not to mention the directing prowess by Jake Kasdan (son of moviemaker Lawrence Kasdan) on board for the ride. So with that in mind, why does "Orange County" come off as a rudimentary, unpolished teen laugher despite the gene pool of talent involved in this half-hearted jittery project? Kasdan, who made a splash with the Bill Pullman-Ben Stiller flick "Zero Effect" a few years ago, helms "Orange County" in a way that suggests how gauzy his comedy really is. Riddled with typical high school-related cliches' and sporadic goofy humor that frequently misses the mark, "Orange County" does fare a tad bit better than the average teen farce that continues to bombard our cinematic senses.

Southern Californian high schooler and resident surfer dude Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) becomes inspired and sets his mind on a career in writing when he accidentally comes across a paperback novel that captures his imagination. The book triggers a consciousness in Shaun to the point where he writes his own material and forwards his work to the author (played by elder Kasdan reliable cronie Kevin Kline) whom happens to teach at Stanford University. Thanks to the "new awakening", Shaun's matriculating tendencies are more urgent than ever much to the chagrin of his slacker buddies and high-spirited galpal Ashley (Schuyler Fisk). The ultimate goal: attend Stanford and realize a dream in the making. Of course this is all easier said than done.

Shaun has everything riding on his gamble to experience the collegiate life. Not only will he attempt to further his literary aspirations, he'll get the opportunity to escape the confines of a wacked-out, dyfunctional family. Surrounding poor Shaun is his clueless workaholic father Bud (John Lithgow), a juiced-up mother Cindy ("Home Alone's" Catherine O'Hara) who loves to drink and is remarried to a wheel-bound Bob Beugler (George Murdock), and a portly-built druggie older brother named Lance (the always delightfully outrageous Jack Black), a stoned Neanderthal in the making.

When Shaun's high school counselor (Lily Tomlin) convinces him that he has a great shot to be accepted at the prestigious Stanford, he confidently doesn't bother to apply to any other colleges. But then a faux pas occurs--Shaun's wrong transcripts are sent off and in the process, he gets a rejection notice. Feeling dejected and dazed, Shaun lingers about until his lunkheaded sibling Lance and dedicated main sqeeze Ashley decide to try and get him out of his current funk.

"Orange County" starts out relatively promising as a teen flick that may have had a tilt toward more substance than fluff, but then Kasdan decides to cater to the conventions of a frantic, fruitless showcase. Cobbled together are some scenes of familiar foolishness that automatically take away this movie's ounce of distinction. The overused gimmick of a university board member's spouse inadvertently drinking Lance's urine while mistaking it for vintage wine feels so utterly tired. And when the dean (Harold Ramis) mistakingly gets up close and personal with the party drug ecstasy, you come to the conclusion how much Kasdan and company desperately wanted to hang on to the mindless madcap imagination of its primary movie demographic. And Kasdan's windowdressing of some top notch cameos (the aforementioned Kevin Kline and Lily Tomlin along with Ben Stiller, Chevy Chase, etc.) that parade around in his staggering film can't rescue "Orange County" from its ridiculously plodding and perfunctory existence.

Colin Hanks does seem to possess the Everydayman qualities of his decorated dad Tom. However, the film reduces Hanks's protagonist Shaun to merely moping around and reacting to the inaneness of the other characters and the silly situations that pop up around him. This does a disservice to Hanks and we never really get to appreciate Shaun's verve beyond his status as a bland lackey for the brainless craziness that surrounds him. As the adorable Ashley, Fisk is sweet in her role as the supportive force for her depressed boytoy Shaun. And as expected, Jack Black goes out in full force as the movie's favorite misfit--a given guarantee that his substance-abusing lump-on-the-log Lance steals the key moments in an otherwise patchy, mediocre teen scene vehicle. Black is undeniably riotous but is in immediate danger of typecasting himself as the flabby frat boy in flimsy, frolicking flicks. Black is refreshing as the resident slob devoted to causing mayhem but his antics sometimes ride on the rim of intolerance; a little of his buffoonery goes a long way, especially in a transparent comedy that voluntarily begs for his infusion of nonsense. It's a mixed bag that Black may utilize as a helpful movie career move or more seriously, as an inescapable hinderance that could haunt him.

"Orange County" clumsily tells the tale of one individual who should have come to the realization that being yourself and appreciating what you have in life is more important than trying to take on a persona that ultimately one cannot live up to. Woefully recycled gags packaged in a moral lesson about being comfortable in your own skin has all the compatibility of a hillbilly at a Republican fundraising event. Clearly, nobody will mistake Kasdan as a modern-day Aesop as his floundering yet free-wheeling fable "Orange" has the unwelcoming taste of a dour lemon.

Frank rates this film: ** stars (out of 4 stars)

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