The story revolves around four friends who are in a boarding school for troubled rich kids. They have been sent to this all boys military school for various reasons by their families. The main characters are Billy (Sean Astin) and Joey (Wil Wheaton). When the father of an international terrorist gets put in an American prison, his son decides to seize control of the school and hold the boys hostage until his father is released, because these are the sons of some very wealthy, influential people. The boys, having spent many years getting themselves into trouble, won't take this turn of events lying down, however. They plan an elaborate scheme as to how they can not only free themselves, but the entire school without allowing for the release of the prisoner.