I was interested in watching this film because of Dave Thomas. He directed "Strange Brew", which I enjoyed, and even though my expectations were low, I gave this movie a shot.

It's very disjointed as a whole, and I can see why it isn't something many people know about, or have seen. It's got some familiar faces, but they're not the main characters. The main characters are actors I've never seen, with the exception of Carly Pope. (Who's actually quite good in this.) Now, everyone in front of the camera and behind it are likely Canadian, so that might explain why I don't recognize too many people in this. Thomas bookends the film and pops up here and there, but mainly stays behind the camera. Dan Aykroyd pops up here and there, and is relatively amusing. Dave Foley is in a handful of scenes, but he plays an awful, unlikable character. Matt Frewer was funny to see in this. His character is a teacher that's just bizarre. So, the (somewhat) notable names are there, and I think I helps the movie. Some of the characters aren't believable, though, or just act strange. Thomas is going for character comedy, but the casting of the main characters, I think, hinders the project.

What does not help the movie is the scenes showing fake, but realistic surgery scenes. There isn't a lot, but we also see dead bodies and a scene with lots of organs being thrown around. Even a scene where an intern accidentally throws up into a body. Yuck.

Did I laugh out loud at all? Sure. A few times, but even bad movies can give you a laugh or two. I wanted to like this movie, but by the end, it just felt like a lot to take. Character comedy, cringe comedy, shock value, romantic subplots, and a third act that tries to get slightly more dramatic, after we've seen these characters goof off most of the film.

I can't recommend it, honestly. I really wish I could, but it's just a huge mishmash of mush.

4/10.

Intern Academy (2004): Dir: Dave Thomas / Cast: Dave Thomas, Dan Aykroyd, David Foley, Maury Chaykin, Carly Pope: Gross out comedy about interns completing training under horrid conditions. Humor ranges from a fight using human organs, to a doll in someone's anal track. It dwells on difficulties based on experience. The humour is vulgar and seems pitched at the lowest common denominator. Screenplay had potential but the third act goes sour with sentimentalism, which is almost always a deal killer in comedies. Dave Thomas directs and stars as the head doctor bent on failing the interns. As director he does have a sense of timing and originality but the characters are all one note types that never elevate beyond their initial flaws. Dan Aykroyd runs the hospital by selling equipment to pay salaries. Dave Foley plays an uptight surgeon. Maury Chaykin plays an instructor with a speech impairment. There are several veteran comedians who are somewhat underused that might have livened things up had the material been stronger. Given more focus they could have been interesting but they are just talented comedians thrown into material that is in worse shape then the patients that enter their hospital. It works only on its satire of medicine but as a story it fails miserably in terms of creating personalities as well as a plot that needs more than surgery to bring life to its pathetic existence. Score: 6 / 10

While this 2004 movie "White Coats" (aka "Intern Academy") is a funny enough comedy, then it just wasn't particularly memorable or outstanding in the vast ocean of comedies available.

Sure, it was an entertaining enough movie for what it turned out to be, just a shame that it didn't manage to stand out in the crowd. And if you have seen "Scrubs", then you have essentially already seen "White Coats" as well. Yes, it was the exact same formula used for both projects.

The acting in the movie was good, and that did help the movie along quite nicely. And it was a good change of pace to see a cast of mostly new faces. And it should be said that the various actors and actresses did good jobs with their given roles and characters. And there was no doubt about it being Dan Aykroyd, Dave Foley and Matt Frewer who were the pulling names to make you sit down and watch the movie, despite them not having overly big roles in the movie.

It should also be said that there were some good laughs throughout the course of the movie.

If you enjoy comedy movies, then by all means do sit down to watch "White Coats", if you have the chance. Just bear in mind that it is not a movie that will leave a lasting impression.