The Nerd Series

This 90's Cult Classic "House Party" Gets A Remake- And Here's The Review

Movies July, 13, 2025

"House Party" is a movie about a high school student named Reginald "Reggie" Warren who aspires to be a rapper. The movie is produced by LeBron James who is known for his success as a basketball player and his involvement in various entertainment projects. The film is a remake of the 1990 comedy of the same name which starred Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin of the hip-hop duo Kid 'n Play.

The movie begins with Reggie (played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) struggling to balance his schoolwork and his passion for music. He spends his free time writing rhymes and performing at local open mic nights hoping to catch the attention of a record executive. Reggie's best friend Steph (played by Tosin Cole) supports his dream but is also concerned about his grades and his future.

One day Reggie receives an invitation to a house party hosted by Instagram influencer Brittany (played by Haley Kilgore). At the party Reggie meets Charlene (played by Makayla Phillips) a talented singer who is also pursuing a career in music. The two hit it off and collaborate on a song which goes viral on social media.

However Reggie's success is short-lived when he is caught by his principal (played by Jacob Ming-Trent) skipping class to perform at a club. The principal gives Reggie an ultimatum: improve his grades or be kicked out of school. Reggie decides to focus on his studies but his dreams of becoming a rapper are not easily forgotten.

Meanwhile Charlene is offered a record deal by a producer named Mike (played by Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi). She agrees to sign with him but soon realizes that he has ulterior motives and is not interested in promoting her music. Charlene decides to break away from Mike and start her own label with Reggie as her first signee.

The rest of the movie follows Reggie and Charlene as they navigate the music industry and their own personal lives. They face challenges such as financial difficulties relationship troubles and the pressure to conform to the industry's standards. However they ultimately stay true to themselves and their vision and are able to achieve success on their own terms.

One of the strengths of "House Party" is its cast. Lendeborg and Phillips have great chemistry and are both talented performers making it easy to root for their characters. The supporting cast including Cole and Kilgore also adds depth and humor to the story.

Another strength of the film is its message about staying true to oneself and pursuing one's dreams despite obstacles. The characters face numerous challenges but they never compromise their values or artistic vision. The film also addresses issues such as cultural appropriation and the exploitation of artists by the music industry making it a timely and relevant commentary on the current state of the music industry.

However the film does have some weaknesses. The plot is predictable and formulaic and some of the characters feel underdeveloped. The film also tries to tackle too many issues at once leading to some of them feeling underexplored.

Overall "House Party" is a fun and enjoyable movie that will appeal to fans of coming-of-age stories and hip-hop culture. It is not a groundbreaking or particularly innovative film but it is well-executed and has a positive message that is worth promoting. LeBron James' involvement in the project may help draw in audiences but the movie stands on its own as a solid addition to the genre.