Masterminds (1997)

Trapped in a school in which a gang of criminals has siezed control, a young troublemaker fights a cat and mouse battle from inside.

Director:

Roger Christian

Writers:

Floyd Byars (story), Alex Siskin (story)

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Vincent Kartheiser, Brenda Fricker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Stewart	...	Bentley
Vincent Kartheiser	...	Ozzie
Brenda Fricker	...	Principal Maloney
Bradley Whitford	...	Miles (as Brad Whitford)
Matt Craven	...	Jake
Annabelle Gurwitch	...	Helen
Jon Abrahams	...	K-Dog
Katie Stuart	...	Melissa
Michael MacRae	...	Deroy
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Ollie
Earl Pastko	...	Captain Jankel
Jason Schombing	...	Marvin
Michael David Simms	...	Colonel Duke
David Avalon	...	Ferret (as David Paul Grove)
Akiko Morison	...	Janet

Storyline

Oz, a rebellious teenager who just got expelled from his preppy school, returns for one final prank. But, as he goes to the basement to set things up, he stumbles upon a security consultant/former school employee who just took the entire school hostage for millions in ransom. Oz must rely on his youth and love for pranks to outwit the devious criminal mastermind.

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Plot Keywords:

rebellious teenager | cigarette smoking | die hard scenario | child in jeopardy | man wears a wig | 

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Taglines:

The criminal mastermind of the century just met his match...

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence included in a children hostage situation, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ozzie(Vincent Kartheiser) illegally downloaded scream 2 on his computer before the movie came out in order for him and his friend K-Dog (Jon Abrahams) to sell it to other students in their school. Jon Abrahams ended up being Bobby in Scary movie(2000). His character was a spoof of Skeet Ulrich's character Billy in the movie scream(1996). Scary movie was the original title for scream until it was changed.

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Goofs

When Ozzie uses the computer in Shady Glen's computer room, the scene is reused from the start of the film. (When he's "hacking" the website.)

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Quotes

Ozzie: Take another step! You'll regret it.
[Happy Boy #7 takes a step]
Happy Boy #7: Now what are you gonna do about it?
Ozzie: You know, coal is still one of our most abundant natural resources.

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Connections

Featured in Beyond Clueless (2014)

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Soundtracks

No Regrets
Written by Phil Vassil & James Mazlen
Performed by Vibrolush
Courtesy of Iguana Records
By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

Action and violence w/o any deaths

One of the things I liked about MASTERMINDS, and parents will probably like this too, is that there is lots of shooting and explosions and all kinds of action. But the body count continuously remains at zero! Like someone said before, this is DIE HARD for kids. (It follows almost the exact plotline)

Overall, great movie, especially for kids 10-15.

4/5

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Smart Alec

Filming Locations:

Hatley Castle, Royal Roads, Colwood, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,014,606, 24 August 1997

Gross USA:

$1,935,539

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,935,539

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Dunlevy Pictures, Pacific Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1