DRAMA Heroes are ordinary men who do extraordinary things at extraordinary times.

THE SKULLS tries to live up to the catch line that you see up top. The only problem is that there are no heroes in this movie, nor are there any extraordinary things happening, nor are there any extraordinary times in this film. This film just exists to showcase Joshua Jackson from DAWSON'S CREEK & CRUEL INTENTIONS and to give another stereotypical role for Craig T. Nelson(COACH). It is a film with very little substance trying to convince us that it has substance. Now don't get me wrong there are some nice bits in the movie but they are overshadowed by plot holes so big you could drop a hummer in.

One good thing about the film is that a lot of it is shot in beautiful picturesque areas of St. Catherines near my home town. The rest is shot in Toronto.
The film has to do with a secret society that has been in existence since the 1700's which obviously shows that it has been around a long time. The Skull Society has been working in the background for centuries. Now you would think that a society this old would be well equipped for secrecy. Not in this movie. Their security is so slack that a bunch of two bit break and enter thieves can waltz right in to The Skulls' secure headquarters. Plot hole...wow...careful California is going to fall in. This would have made a fine television movie.
WE LIVE BY THE RULES WE DIE BY THE RULES!
The basic idea of this film is simple. College boy from hard luck past has money problems. He needs the scholarship assistance of a fraternity. The Skulls are the best ones to join. He knows they will paick their members, you can't join. He knows it is a secret society with a disreputable mythology. He wants in. He gets in and then he wants out. Okay that's it go home now.


Hey are you still here. Okay in that case I'll tell you more about the movie.

Luke McNamara played by Joshua Jackson is a hard working college student who has gained admission through his hard work and the crushing burdens of student loans. Remember those things that took you forever to pay off. He has worked his way to top marks and and the captainship of the championship rowing varsity crew team. Law school demands more than that unfortunately...$45,000 a year would be about right. The Skulls would be able to help him. Membership to this organization would be a dream come true. At school he has two main friends Chloe played by Leslie Bibb and Will Beckford (Hill Harper), an enterprising journalism major. Will has a real disdain for The Skulls, one that will cause him much distress. Overnight Luke is chosen for admission into this highly secretive socity. The membership has alway consisted of the best of the best and the brightest of the brightest. They are usaully descendants of the rich and powerful. Acceptance has guaranteed him both financial means and law school connections and a mean looking car. He figures this will secure his future and his chances with Chloe's rich family. What it leads to is a not so rosy situation with Chloe and Will his best friend. "If it's secret and it's elite, it can't be good," Will cautions him. Chloe understands the attraction but hopes that the experience will not change him. As part of their initiation Luke and the other select initiates have to partake in a series of traditional rituals to test their loyalties, honesty and strength of character. THose that succeed will be rewarded with lifelong brotherhood, influence, position and money. They only have to remember to keep things secret and live by the rules. To help each other the initiates are assigned a "soulmate". Caleb Mandrake(Paul Walker, Varsity Blues) is the one assigned to him. He is a handsome and charismatic fifth generation Skull. They become friends and cover each other's back. Luke has qualities that that Caleb lacks such as self-reliance, ambition and drive. In Caleb, Luke sees what he wants, wealth, sophistication and prestige. Caleb's father is Litten Mandrake(Craig T. Nelson) a prominent judge and one of the highest members on The Skulls council. Everything seems to be going well, money, cars and friendship. The Mandrake family seems to forming a strong bond with Luke, Judge Mandrake likes his ambition but is disappointed by his own son who seems to lack ambition and pride in his lineage. Caleb finds his father's disapproval unbearable at times and tries to conceal it but at times it slips out. Just when everything is going right, Luke's friend Will throws a monkey wrench into the works. Will has decided to also make a name for himself as a journalist by infiltrating The Skulls' inner sanctum and writing an expose of their sercret rituals. Caleb catches him and fights with him. Will is later found in his room a victim of suicide. Now in case you do go to see this I will not tell you anymore about this. The film quickly breaks down into a murder mystery, a car chase movie and silly cat and mouse game. Luke quickly realizes that The Skulls are a powerful organization that he must defeat by the rules. He learns that the members within the organization are not beyond skullduggery (hey I had to use that once in this review) to attain their personal goals. William Peterson (Manhunter), has a fine role as a senator. He is an actor that I personally like and it's a shame I don't see him in enough films. My otherr beef is that I would really like to see Crtaig T. Nelson in a role where he doesn't play a crooked nasty or corrupt official. Well anyway go see it if you want or wait for the video.

CAST AND CREDITS:

STARRING: Joshua Jackson , Craig T Nelson , Paul Walker , Hill Harper , Steve Harris

DIRECTED BY: Rob Cohen

WRITTEN BY: John Pogue

PRODUCED BY: Christopher Ball , Neil Moritz and John Pogue

DISTRIBUTED BY: Universal Pictures

RATING USA... Rated PG-13 for violence and brief sexuality RATING CANADA... Rated AA for language and violence

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