When I first had the idea to ask people who’d never seen some pop culture touchstones to watch them and tell me what they thought, I had thoughts on which films would stand the test of time and which ones wouldn’t. “Surely” I said to myself “Ferris is still the man.”

Enter Castor Troy.

Sir Castor, blogger extraordinaire whose taste is beyond reproach managed to get this far without knowing why the rest of us get the giggles with the mere mention of Abe Froman…or hearing a verse of “Danke Schoen”…or dryly asking “Anyone?…anyone?…”

So along with feeling like I was righting a great wrong and bringing Castor into the light, I was given yet another crack at continuing my series of asking people how films I find to be pop culture touchstones have held up to the test of time.

So take a look below at my post-Ferris conversation with Castor, and his take on John Hughes’ 1986 opus; FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF.

MH: So, did you like it?

CT: For the most part, yes, I did like it but I didn’t love it, much like a comparable and equally beloved movie from Hughes: The Breakfast Club. Certainly, Ferris Bueller is a thoroughly entertaining light comedy from beginning to end. However, I didn’t think it was all that remarkable. The characters can come off as arrogant, prickly and privileged kids, and the story is on the light side, basically a long ride through the classy part of Chicago.

RM: Surprised the tourism board never co-opted the film. Did you have any expectations going in?

CT: I knew going in that many regarded Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as a teen comedy classic. Although my expectations were high, it was tempered by my awareness that the 80’s are long gone and that I might not love it as much as some people who actually grew up during that period.

RM: Well speaking of “that period” many of us who grew up with these movies get blinded to hallmarks of the 80’s. Did the film feel dated at all?

CT: Surprisingly, I didn’t think the movie felt all that dated. This is partly due to Tak Fujimoto’s cinematography. I think a bright and vibrant cinematography always helps a movie to feel more timeless. Also, the thematic content of the movie just never goes stale with teenagers of all eras going through their tumultuous and rebellious phase. Now, as I alluded earlier, maybe it feels dated in how I see Ferris Bueller.

RM: Well going back to that, are you saying that from an adult’s perspective, Ferris seems less like an icon and more like a brat?

CT: In more ways than not, yes. I realize that the movie is supposed to be completely innocent and harmless but I would think that many contemporary viewers would deem Ferris to be a spoiled brat who thinks the entire universe is revolving around him. What I see is some upper middle class kid who has accomplished absolutely nothing in life, yet thinks he deserves to live the good life. Not only that but he goes and bully his best friend, manipulates his loving parents and gets into all kind of trouble without any consequences. Is it because we have gone through something like 9/11 that I can’t see the innocence and iconic nature of Ferris Bueller?

RM: Wow. To me that’s amazing since many of us who saw him through younger eyes thought of him as such a “cool guy”…the sort of cat who was able to charm his way in and out of any problem.

CT: Indeed, I could see how teenagers could look up to Ferris in that light but once you are a little more mature and realize there is a consequence to doing these kind of “cool” things, it detracts from the movie. What is the message of this movie? That you can act like a brat and bear no consequences?

RM: The message that most take away is Ferris’ declaration that “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it”

CT: Is that a question?

RM: I’m not sure myself and I asked it.

CT: Ferris says that a couple times in the movie but I don’t think skipping school and acting like a spoiled child is actually enjoying life. One of the main problem with the movie is the fact that Ferris is a relatively stagnant character. While his friend Cameron goes through some dramatic changes, Ferris doesn’t make any big discovery about himself or the world. He is basically the exact same guy at the start and at the end of the movie.

RM: That last point was probably my inner twelve-year-old talking. This is one of the few films that makes me laugh every time I watch it. How funny was it for you?

CT: I found the movie more chuckle-worthy rather than laugh-out-loud funny. Actually, I didn’t laugh at all. Sure, it is pleasant and lightweight but for the most part, I thought the movie was more amusing than hilarious.

RM: So, all said and done, you’re saying that this film really isn’t the neo-classic people like me would have you believe.

CT: That’s exactly what I’m saying! This may have captured the hearts and mind of thousands in the 1980’s but the movie isn’t timeless enough to be a true classic. What is this movie trying to say? That it is ok to be a jackass as long as you don’t get caught? Had Ferris called sick and done something actually meaningful and unselfish on his day off, the movie would have been much more memorable. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it”, that quote is just an excuse for his boorish actions. It’s a fairly pleasant movie but I think it is quite overrated and certainly not in the top 10 or 15 best teen movies of all-time.

RM: Interesting, I coulda swore this film held up. Let’s end on a positive note though – I’d wager there was something about the film that you’ll take away in a positive light.

CT: That German-American parade in Downtown Chicago with Ferris singing and dancing spontaneously and the band backing him up. It’s a well done scene that anyone can appreciate and this is where the essence of the movie should have been.

RM: Can’t beat Wayne Newton and John Lennon. So, on a scale of 1 to 5?

CT:It was pleasant enough, I just didn’t think it was all it was made out to be. I rate it a 3.5/5