Lengthy Earlier than the MCU, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson Teamed Up for This Heist Film

A short time earlier than Captain America and Black Widow have been kicking villainous behinds, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have been scheming to steal the long run… effectively, kind of. 2004’s The Excellent Rating paired the long run A-listers up for a really totally different type of mission the place the stakes have been good SAT scores as an alternative of a hefty payday. However for a gaggle of teenagers determined to interrupt free from the strain cooker of highschool, which may as effectively be the identical factor.

What this heist dramedy does is take the classic caper method and commerce high-tech devices and vaults for a plan to swipe the solutions to the SATs. Mixing humor, teen angst, and a contact of revolt, The Excellent Rating completely captures that early 2000s vibe full with a pop-punk soundtrack, loads of denim, and a boldness that’s uncommon nowadays. Evans performs the charming insurgent, Johansson the too-cool-for-school artist, and their rag-tag crew delivers all of the chaos one would count on when a bunch of youngsters attempt to pull off a “excellent” crime. On the finish of the day, it is probably not probably the most formidable heist flick on the market, but it surely’s a time capsule of pre-superhero Hollywood and a reminder that even Marvel heroes needed to begin someplace.

‘The Excellent Rating’ Is Extra About Bonding Than Breaking Into Vaults

Summing all of it up, The Excellent Rating is a highschool film with coronary heart. Whereas it’s technically a film about breaking right into a testing facility to steal the solutions to the SATs, the narrative leans extra into the relationships cast alongside the best way. In its personal approach, the movie is much less like Ocean’s Eleven and a bit extra like The Breakfast Club with an additional splash of revolt. It throws collectively an unlikely group of teenagers comprising Kyle (Chris Evans), the dreamer; Francesca (Scarlett Johansson), the artsy cynic; Matty (Bryan Greenberg) the lovesick goofball; and Anna (Erika Christensen), the overachiever. There’s additionally Desmond (Darius Miles), the basketball star below strain, and Roy (Leonardo Nam), the lovable stoner. At first, they couldn’t be extra totally different in the event that they tried. Nonetheless, their shared desperation to ace the SATs brings them collectively.

Maybe the precise promoting level right here is how The Excellent Rating makes use of the heist as a backdrop for his or her struggles. Although they’re as totally different as day and night time, every character has a novel and legitimate motive for wanting to drag off the caper. Because the plan unfolds — and inevitably falls aside — it’s their budding friendship that steals the spotlight and by the tip, the SAT solutions really feel virtually irrelevant. So, whereas everybody loves a superb heist film, the true win right here isn’t their bid to ace the check, however how they discovered unlikely kindred spirits in one another even when their plan went up in smoke.

‘The Excellent Rating’ Is a Time Capsule of Teen Insurrection and Actual-World Points

A good teen movie isn’t full with out some over-the-top commentary on the struggles of rising up. In that regard and extra, The Excellent Rating ticks all of the packing containers after which some as a result of whereas it’s a heist film on paper, it’s additionally a playful jab on the ridiculous strain teenagers face to plan their futures round a single check rating. For example, Kyle’s frustration is over being rejected from structure faculty due to his SAT rating and this highlights how unfairly this single check defines college students. There’s additionally Anna, who’s so obsessive about acing the SATs that she has observe exams in every single place she goes. Desmond worries that his athletic scholarship relies on a rating he is aware of gained’t mirror his true intelligence. Every difficulty is as relatable as the subsequent and The Excellent Rating brings all these anxieties to life, albeit with a little bit of exaggeration for comedic impact.

The Excellent Rating is undoubtedly peak early 2000s teen angst, however the movie additionally goals on the one-size-fits-all system that reduces youngsters to numbers with out being heavy-handed in its messaging. It additionally affords a gentle touchdown for its critique utilizing some good ‘ol normal humor and absurdity. Take the scene the place Kyle tries to memorize the SAT solutions upfront however finally ends up zoning out whereas looking at a surreal motivational poster. It’s such a goofy take a look at the real-life phenomenon of panic-cramming for exams. Much more, it makes viewers root for these characters as a result of they’re attempting to do one thing that’s relatable, cathartic, and excessive. By the tip of all of it, and as anticipated, the group realizes that stealing the solutions gained’t clear up their issues. That’s the place a transparent message emerges — generally the system wants questioning, however actual development comes from discovering out who you’re.

The Excellent Rating is accessible to stream on Paramount+ within the U.S.

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