Sex on the Beach 2 (The Inbetweeners 2)
U.K. 2014

Opening 30 Oct 2014

Directed by: Damon Beesley
Writing credits: Damon Beesley, Iain Morris
Principal actors: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas, Freddie Stroma

In their extremely successful original film The Inbetweeners Movie (2011) Will, Jay, Simon and Neil went to Malia on the island of Crete. Now the original cast is back and they are having a gap year in Australia, which includes adventures with girls, male competition, lack of money, misunderstandings, a spiritual experience, etc. Australia is the real star, filmed in locations such as Sydney Harbor, Byron Bay in New South Wales, the Gold Coast and the Outback, and even Marree – a two-street town deep in the heart of South Australia.

I would say that this is yet another sequel to a film about single guys letting it all hang out away from home, similar to Think like a Man 2. It’s much fun and harmless. Guy-talk prevails with quips such as “why do they call it down under – because that’s where your face is most of the time” or “a friend with weed is a friend indeed” all interspersed with shit and feces and “penis” in various contexts. It’s supposed to be typical British humor, e.g., in the opening scene the guys, who are dressed like Harry Potter characters, ring a doorbell for access to a party to no avail. The Splash Planet Theme Park plays a major part, but it actually seems to be in New Zealand – never mind – it’s a great place. Teenagers will enjoy this film and perhaps identify. (Becky Tan)