Of All The Teen Films This Summer....This Is The Best!

Rating: Null/10 (12 July 1999)

I really very much enjoyed this film. 10 Things I Hate About You unfortunately will be lumped in with the slew of teen films already out or coming but this movie will endure I feel where as the others will be forgotten. A very well done updating of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare I feel and I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't contain any sex, language that was too foul, or demeanor that was offensive. It was a very good way to spend an afternoon and I can hardly wait until it comes out on video.
All of the characters were very well written, but I didn't feel one way or the other about Ms. Perky the school councilor. My favorite character the school bad girl Kat is very well thought out and written. She's not scarey like the girls in The Craft by comparision. You wouldn't have to worry about her sacrificing the school mascot but you'd still stay clear of her none the less otherwise you'd catch her wrath. She's opinionated, doesn't take anything from anyone, still participates in some activities, and is written as a very smart young girl.
Each of the characters was written and cast perfectly. They were each written smart and not typical teen. Then they were cast correctly as well. Michael the audio/video nerd and ultimate sidekick to Cameron wasn't in fact a nerd. Bianca the school princess yes was a princess but wasn't stuck up about it other then a few brief glimpses. Patrick, whose actor was a little too old for the part but none the less well cast, was well written to be a match for Kat. Under his gruff exterior lied a round about nice guy. And Joey was so full of himself and had such an ego that it was both belieable and funny to see him strut himself straight out of Bianca's likes and get used without even knowing it. And good marks to Cameron for liking Bianca for who she is and not what she is or represents. And also for calling her on the carpet for not wanting to try new things rather then just letting her have her way cause she's a proverbial princess.
Well thought-out, well scripted, and well done this film should stand out with die hard teen film fans. While it won't be remembered as fondly as some of the films that grossed more or had bigger stars, this film is still a hit. Go see this movie if you haven't already, you won't regret it.

Bello