The New Guy (2002)

6% of critics liked it
(93 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(64,267 ratings)

Former Prada model and Road Trip co-star D.J. Qualls makes a bid for leading man status in this nerd-makeover comedy. Qualls stars as Dizzy, a dorky but delinquent high school student who's determined to get expelled from his hellish high school -- but ends up landing in jail instead. There he meets… More Former Prada model and Road Trip co-star D.J. Qualls makes a bid for leading man status in this nerd-makeover comedy. Qualls stars as Dizzy, a dorky but delinquent high school student who's determined to get expelled from his hellish high school -- but ends up landing in jail instead. There he meets the intimidating, street-smart Luther (Eddie Griffin), himself a former geek, who takes Dizzy under his wing to teach him the art of being cool. Soon Luther and his pals have broken Dizzy of his meek, maladroit ways, and Dizzy is ready to start a new life at a new high school under a new name: Gil Harris. When Gil arrives at East Highland High -- his former inmate reputation known to all -- he quickly ingratiates himself with the cool kids and lays to waste any jocks who stand in his way. He even manages to date the school's most coveted girl, Danielle (Eliza Dushku). But when a face from his past shows up, it seems that his facade as the big man on campus may be about to crumble. The New Guy also stars Zooey Deschanel and Lyle Lovett, and features cameos from rockers Henry Rollins, Gene Simmons, and Tommy Lee. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Ed Decter
Written By: David Kendall
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 7, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Aug 13, 2002
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Robert Koehler, Variety
Distinguished by certain rodent-like features, Qualls is a bargain-basement, pre-adult version of David Spade -- and becomes just as tiresome.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
It isn't very good, but it doesn't seem to care, which turns out to be rather refreshing.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Never gets on the good foot.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Bad beyond belief and ridiculous beyond description.
Renee Graham, Boston Globe
So wrongheaded that this one couldn't even have looked good on paper.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
[L]ame and unnecessary.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
The New Guy is a waste of talent and time.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
I remember the good ol' days when comedies were actually funny and weren't used to display the hottest actors of the month and such.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Joyless dreck, another dumbed-down teen comedy fired out of Hollywood with all the crudeness of a spitball.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
Likeable characters and a cliched but meatier-than-usual story for a teen comedy.
, Time Out
Shot on low-res digital video, this cutprice tale of the unexpected is broadly predictable and increasingly one note, but passable sadistic fun.
Victoria Alexander, FilmsInReview.com
If you are a fan of DJ Qualls (like I am), here is the long-awaited director's cut of "The New Guy"!
Greg Maki, Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
No words can describe how truly awful this movie is.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The New Guy's no worse than other teen recent teen-aimed flicks like Slackers, but that's not exactly a compliment.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Algumas piadas são muito boas, mas, de modo geral, o filme decepciona. Caso se mantivesse politicamente incorreto, seria melhor.
Tyler Hanley, Palo Alto Weekly
Too little Griffin and too much toilet humor equals too bad for The New Guy.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
Mentioning plot holes or logical discrepancies would be almost redundant; this is a case where no critic's opinion will affect the film's failure.
Ian Waldron-Mantgani, UK Critic
Tries too hard to be funny in a way that's too loud, too goofy and too short of an attention span.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Could the release of this dire film mark the moment at which we all fall spectacularly out of love with the American high-school teen comedy?
, FilmFour.com
[A] depressing exercise in lowest common denominator filmmaking.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Dead A

It's kinda stupid. I watched this because of my fave actress Zooey Deschanel but her underarms scared me!
Sophie B

Not very original and unintelligent however the actors did a good job in creating a good and funny film to lighten spirits. I like DJ Qualls and he is perfectly cast and he's the best thing in it. Fairly funny but not amazingly great.
Alice S

I like this movie cuz it's kinda dumb but completely genuine about it! The novelty of hip, smartish teen comedies has worn off on me a bit but do watch it! It's hilarious! Eliza Dushku is hot.
Mike S

One of the most random movies I've ever seen. Almost no consistency at all and terrible directing. However, among films like Epic Movie, at least this one is OK. Also, on the positive side, it has some fun cameos...but that's about it.
Jason S

Basic loser wants to be popular in high school flick.
Drew S

Ugh.
Deb S

I should be ashamed of myself but I found myself actually liking this movie. For Dizzy Harrison (DJ Qualls), a nerd in the company of nerds, life in high school has turned into a never-ending series of humiliations, as he finds himself the butt of seemingly daily pranks and practical… More
I should be ashamed of myself but I found myself actually liking this movie. For Dizzy Harrison (DJ Qualls), a nerd in the company of nerds, life in high school has turned into a never-ending series of humiliations, as he finds himself the butt of seemingly daily pranks and practical jokes. Dizzy is inexplicably, sent to prison (crime unknown) where he hooks up with Luther (Eddie Griffin), a convict who takes Dizzy under his wing and shows him how to turn the tables on all the bullies at school and impress the ladies in the process. Dizzy manages to get him-self into enough trouble to get kicked out and enrolls in a new school, hoping to start life afresh as a `cool dude.' DJ Qualls is funny as the goofy nerd, and never takes himself seriously, which is a good thing, he was often quite funny, and very likable. Jerod Mixon is good as the token fat guy and the guys will love Eliza Dushku bikini swimsuit modeling scene (if you needed any encouragement lol). Great cameos from Gene Simmons, Josh Todd of Buckcherry, Henry Rollins, & Charlie O'Connell, Tony Hawk, Vanilla Ice and David Hasselholf!
Yinalí R

Loved it!
Leo L

Hilarious!
*Kimberly *

Totally ludicrous plot with many "yeah right" scenes, but still pretty damn funny. catch it on TV sometime if nothing else is on.
Robert F

Funny in parts. Mostly good because of Eliza. I hate DJ Qualls or whatever his name is. "sdfhasdfu" "sadisdb what?" "My grandmother's Albanian. It means I owe you one!" Funny line.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            D.J. Qualls as Dizzy Harrison/Gil Harris

            Eliza Dushku as Danielle

            Zooey Deschanel as Nora

            Lyle Lovett as Bear Harrison

            Jerod Mixon as Kirk

            Illeana Douglas as Kiki Pierce

            Parry Shen as Glen

            Kurt Fuller as Mr. Undine

            Julius J. Carry III as Coach

            M.C. Gainey as Clem

            Eddie Griffin as Luther

            Sunny Mabrey as Courtney

            Ross Patterson as Conner

            Matt Gogin as Ed Ligget

            Horatio Sanz
            
            Tony Hawk
            
            Jerry O'Connell
            
            Charlie O'Connell
            
            Gene Simmons
            
            Tommy Lee
            
            Kool Moe Dee
            
            Jermaine D. Maudlin
            
            Josh Todd
            
            Vanilla Ice
            
            Henry Rollins
            
            David Hasselhoff
            
See full cast