The Crusades proves in the opening scenes that it is not going to pull any punches. A fight involving a disabled high school student and a girl getting run over by a bike are just a part of the shenanigans. Things are about to change at Our Lady of the Crusades and three friends decide to enjoy the last weekend before their high school lives are altered forever.
The movie markets itself as a throwback to high school comedies of the 1980s. It is much closer to the testosterone fueled releases of the 1990s. There are plenty of hijinks, but even after a complete tonal change in the final act, it lacks any of the heart. It is hard to feel a connection with anyone in it.
Which is not to say The Crusades is bad. There are some genuinely funny moments, and though the students barely leave an impression, some of the adults stand out. And before it begins to take itself too seriously, the film moves at a nice pace. Like other movies in the genre, it is a breezy watch.
Things really go downhill in the last half hour, however. Everything grinds to a halt and the humor found in the earlier portions is completely removed. At the moment when audiences are supposed to care most is when The Crusades is at its worst. None of the dangling subplots have a satisfactory ending, with the student having a crush on his teacher one coming to a particularly awful conclusion.
The Crusades could have been a perfectly acceptable teen comedy for the 21st century. While it never has the feeling of timelessness found in the best coming of age stories, there are enough silly moments and goofy adults to make it worth a watch. Unfortunately, odd decisions in the final act ruin any good will.
The Crusades opens theatrically July 7
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