The Inbetweeners 2 - Film Review

The Inbetweeners 2

Director: Damon Beesley        Staring: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas        Genre: Comedy

"Muff before mates is actually a crime in Australia"

With this sequel to The Inbetweeners: The Movie, a spin-off of the hugely successful E4 TV Series The Inbetweeners, comes the on-going tale of four teenage friends Will McKenzie, Simon Cooper, Jay Cartwright and Neil Sutherland and their attempts to convince the people around them - but more importantly themselves- that they are 'cool'.

Seemingly with a conscious decision to separate itself from the TV series this film is set abroad, and to separate it from it's predecessor, it is set in Australia. Fans of the middle-class suburban foursome (like myself) may spot the humorous coincidence that Jay (Buckley) who used an Australian fake ID in one of the episodes to purchase beer from a pub is the character that perpetuates the unexpected 'lads holiday' and reunion of the 'Pussay Patrol' Down Under.

One element I really liked was that the main characteristic of Jay, his plain lying, is exaggerated to the fullest during the exposition stage, visualizing his 'experience' in Australia through a long dramatic sequence; "I've banged all the famous Aussie Birds... A threesome with Kylie and Dani? I did that ten minutes after getting off the plane". For me, this demonstrates the tongue-in-cheek nature the creators wanted to portray relating to the big-budget of the film. The writers being aware that this movie format is something entirely different to the origins of the small E4 show. Utilizing the big-screen to not make the characters appear as "Hollywood icons" but on the contrary mock the opportunities a large-scale production can offer.

As can be expected the film is littered with sarcastic comments and clever puns. An obvious one being Neil's (Harrison) repetitive use of the word 'bants' - again highlighting that the characters despite their continuous attempts are not 'cool'. The 'Archbishop of Banterbury', 'Bant and Dec' and 'Banter of the Opera' being just some of the few 'banterous' puns the film has to offer. Along with Simon (Thomas) and Will's (Bird) infantile feud where they both need to 'grow up' and Will's usual sarcastic narration of prior events provide linear comedy. Along with new outbursts of humour arisen from clashes between the four protagonists in their new-found circumstances, there are also long-running jokes drawn out from the previous film and series. The three boy's infatuation with Will's mum being a prevalent one; highlighted during an awkward Skype conversation between Will and his mother and her incapability to use a laptop (when you see it, you will know what I mean).

Another component, and an obvious intention by the writers to hone down the importance of each of the four characters is their individual problems throughout the film - all of which somewhat distastefully provide screech-worthy comedy. Will with his interest in backpacker Katie and his need to 'fit in' with her and her 'spiritual' friends results in some of the most noteworthy humour in the form of Will's serenade by the campfire; Simon's many failed attempts to break up with his physco girlfriend which ultimately leads to an engagement; Jay's lip problems and denial for his on-going love for ex-girlfriend Jane (it should be pointed out that both Simon and Jay's love interests are the same girls from the first Inbetweeners movie) and Neil's stupidity (feeding a dolphin a hamburger and fried chicken) landing him in sticky situations (dead dolphin).

This movie despite the big-budget and foreign setting that inevitably provides a different feel to the one found at Rudge Park Comprehensive School, undoubtedly stays true to it's origins. Compact with jokes and physical comedy I wouldn't say it is too far off the state The Inbetweeners 2 is start-to-finish funny.