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Friday 8 August 2014

Movie Review - The Inbetweeners 2


When The Inbetweeners ended its television run in 2010, the wait for the eventual film was all but agonising. It hit cinemas less than a year later, and appeared to establish a firm conclusion for the entire narrative. But, three years on, a sequel as arrived in the form of The Inbetweeners 2; is it an unnecessary money grab or a much desired return? Let's begin...

Will McKenzie (Simon Bird) detests his life at University after becoming an outcast amongst the other students. Simon Cooper (Joe Thomas) is stuck with his borderline psychopathic clingy girlfriend Lucy (Tamla Kari). Neil Sutherland (Blake Harrison) has landed a full time job in a bank. As for Jay (James Buckley), he's off on a gap year to Australia; apparently living the life of luxury with his own nightclub, his own mansion and a mass of gash. He invites his friends for a visit, but once they arrive they see Jay has been relaying his usual lies; with the obvious truth now revealed, they must still find a way to make their holiday last and, as usual, nothing goes to plan.


The Inbetweeners 2 is without a doubt one of the most disgusting films I've ever seen, but this is a key factor as to why I adore it. Its predecessor had its fair share of crude humour, but the most intense moment was perhaps the shocking reveal of Jay's penis - a scene which surely made every audience member gasp before their hysterics. But that is tame compared to this film has to offer - writer/directors Damon Beesley and Iain Morris have released all restraints to gross you out and leave you in stitches; brilliantly funny conversations are joined by some rib tickling slapstick and and perfectly structured, and equally repulsive, visual gags.

This time round there's much less focus on story and more on comedy. Initially, the direction is a little clumsy, and the plot seems to travel down a vague path once the boys reach Australia. It lacks the stronger narrative and character like-ability of the first movie, but Will's typical social commentary and the iconic personalities of the lads themselves definitely make up for this. Less depth to this plot may seem like a big problem, but the absolutely fantastic sense of humour the film exudes is a strong redemption; and results in a superior experience to the original for sure.