"Rocket Science" is a laugh-free coming-of-age comedy.

The story: A stuttering high school student named Hal is recruited by a girl named Ginny to join the debate team. At first Hal is resistant, but he joins because he has developed a crush on Ginny. Can Hal succeed on the debate team? Will Ginny fall for Hal?

Considering “Rocket Science” director Jeffrey Blitz is best known for his acclaimed spelling bee documentary “Spellbound,” it’s rather odd that his first fictional narrative feature film is so utterly devoid of anything remotely resembling reality. Essentially, “Rocket Science” is an overlong, quirky, wannabe Wes Anderson high school movie that is loaded with mean spirited jokes about stuttering, debates, a forced romance story, a weird child who tries on a bra, characters stealing and throwing objects, and obnoxious and unrealistic fast-talking.

The most puzzling aspect of the movie is that it’s billed as a comedy, yet there’s a serious lack of humor here. Maybe I’m alone in thinking this, but the only part of the film that managed to make me crack a smile was seeing Judd Apatow veteran Jonah Hill of “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” fame.

Conclusion: Skip this one and see a FUNNY high school comedy like “Juno” instead.

Extras:

* A music video for Clem Snide’s “I Love The Unknown.”

* “The Making Of Rocket Science” (12:37)- A standard brief making of featurette with interviews and descriptions of the plot and characters.

* Trailers for “Starter For 10,” “Mr. Woodcock,” and “Martian Child.”

---

Bookmark us!