The In Betweeners 2 (2014)
Certified: 15
Duration: 96 minutes
Directed by: Damian Beesley and Iain Morris
Starring: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas, Emily Berrington, Freddie Stroma, David Field, Belinda Stewart-Wilson, Tamla Kari, Lydia Rose Bewley.
KRS Releasing Ltd

2011’s The In Betweeners had been a comical and over-the-top romp that was quite an enjoyable surprise for a movie. The continuation and adaptation to the big screen of the British sitcom was bawdy, hilarious and rude. It was a no-brainer hit made on a minuscule budget that ended up taking in nearly $90 million in box office receipts.

Whereas the first film was funny in a sporadic manner, emphasising the fish-out-of-water routines and settings, the sequel is even funnier. It is also even more consistent as if the production this time around knew what they were doing and what a possible hit they had in their hands. The sequel is also not afraid to be rude and lewd. It does it all to deliver a series of comic set pieces that are veritable hits below the belt. Yet, at the same time, it never loses sight of its characters that, despite their seemingly obnoxious antics, are quite an endearing bunch.

The film is set approximately six months after the first one. Will (Simon Bird), the geek who is intent on shooting himself in the foot at every moment, is at Bristol University. Here he is visited by two of the gang: Simon (Joe Thomas) and the clueless Neil (Blake Harrison).

Simon has issues as the girl he had picked up in Crete (Tamla Kari) has become increasingly possessive while Will is as always finding it hard to fit in.

Meanwhile, Jay (James Buckley), the oversexed and over-imaginative member of the group, is in Australia for a gap year and he seems to be the only one in the group who is having the time of his life. According to him, Australia is the new sex paradise on earth and I will not go into the way he describes his days there. Thus for their spring break Simon, Neil and Jay fly off to Down Under to surprise Jay.

They too get surprised when they discover that he is not working as a deejay but in a men’s restroom. Nothing is as Jay had described but the four soon get immersed in antics and over-the-top situations.

Meanwhile, Will meets Katie (Emily Berrington) who is also travelling and whom he knew in primary school.

The character of Will comes into his own with Bird delivering well, making the most out of every situation he is placed in. He reels in the audience in this Revenge of the Nerds kind of storyline. This is the movie’s strength: you actually like the teenagers, even though they get into all kinds of unsavoury situations.

The film walks the fine tightrope between over-the-top comedy and sweet and endearing tone. Also, this second outing, as opposed to the first film, has a more cinematic feel.

Overall, this picture defines and sets standards for the teen comedy genre.

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