REVIEW
As conventionally formulaic as it is, Varsity Blues is still slickly enjoyable as any of those (good) '80s John Hughes comedies. Van Der Beek is Max, a Texas high school quarterback who becomes an overnight sensation when the first string QB is injured. Despite his ambivalence about his sudden stardom, he doesn't shun the spotlight -- he goes with it (the babes and free booze being understandable temptations to a teenager). His control-freak coach (Voight), however, is constantly at odds with Max's "it’s only a game" mentality. Even though the film has its stupid gags and minimal surprises, the acting is strong, and Max becomes a character who you really care about. While basically a remake of All the Right Moves, Varsity Blues is more entertaining than most of the other recent “teen” flicks out there now.