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, that 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

rebellious teenager | cigarette smoking | die hard scenario | ransom | hostage | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$1,890,472, 7 September 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Bentley (Sir Patrick Stewart) makes his first appearance, he asks Principal Maloney to call him by his first name, "Rafe", to which she immediately replies "Fine". This is a reference to Ralph Fiennes, whose name is pronounced "Rafe Fines."

---

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.)

---

Quotes

Ozzie: [through the intercom] Attention K-Mart shoppers, we have a weather update for you. After those smoldering tropical highs, our next forecast will be for cooling temperatures, with a very high case of sudden showers.
[turns on the sprinkler, drenching Bentley and the commandoes]

---

Connections

References Toy Soldiers (1991)

---

Soundtracks

Can't Stand Up
Words by Tim Thomas
Music by Babe The Blue OX
Performed by Babe The Blue OX
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label of BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

very crafty

i loved this movie, not only because i love Vincent Kartheiser, but because I liked the movie in a whole the script was entertaining and the things the character did were just so crafty, so well thought out it was kind of like home alone in a sense. A kid taking on an adult, outsmarting him. i enjoyed watching it. i would recommend it.