Empire's The Inbetweeners Movie Movie Review

The Inbetweeners Movie
Big screen wankers

Plot
Dumped by love of his life Carli (Emily Head), end of schooler Simon (Thomas), along with mates Will (Bird), Jay (Buckley) and Neil (Harrison), decides to head for Malia hoping for "sun, sand, sex, sea and sex". Cue crap hotels, embarrassing sunburn, alcoholic fish bowls, willing girls and a boat party of a lifetime.

Review

Let’s be honest, you can count great UK youth flicks on one hand. So Olly Murs hats off, then, to The Inbetweeners Movie, an upgrade for the E4 teen comedy that matches the gag rate of any film this summer and delivers it with the panache of the Yanks but the scatological feel of the best of Brit comedy. If you have Kevin & Perry Go Large in your head, forget it. This is much closer to Superbad. But with more vag jokes.

Financed by the death of Jay’s grandfather, the boys, “looking like the world’s shittest boy band”, head off to Malia where writers Iain Morris and Damon Beesley put them through the lads' holiday from hell, taking in OAP shagging, nicking the sunbathing spot from a disabled girl, projectile vomiting, sleeping in ants' nests, pooing in a bidet and a run-in with a master of self-fellatio. Plot threads from the show are woven throughout - an introduction in Blighty sets everything up, Simon spends much of the movie mooning after Carli who is also on holiday - but this doesn’t need any prior knowledge. It’s just a succession of cringe-worthy set pieces - the boys dance-off to impress some girls is priceless - that escalate in embarrassment as the movie goes on.

Happily, the movie also has cinematic chops. Early doors, the camera starts high in the sky and then swoops down through suburban streets and up to a window where Jay is having a hand-shandy using the internet, diving goggles and slices of honey roast ham - it’s American Pie directed by David Fincher. There are also strategic uses of slow motion - the boys in ‘Pussay Patrol’ T-shirts coming out of a hotel like a shite Reservoir Dogs - that make you laugh without laying it onto thick. It also captures those Greek holiday resorts in all their garish awfulness.

Unlike the Arsenal football squad, The Inbetweeners dramatis personae has always had strength in-depth and the movie is no exception: the four gals - Laura Haddock’s wise owl Alison, Tamla Kari’s lovelorn Lucy, Lydia Rose Bewley’s sparky Jane and Jessica Knappett’s straight arrow Lisa register in Romantic Interest roles, providing punchlines and pathos of their own. Yet supporting player of the match is Theo Barklem-Biggs as Richard, one of the wasted space cadets that haunt any holiday resort constantly muttering “cool beans... cool beans... cool beans”. He drifts in and out of it but makes a lasting impression.

But, at the end of the day, The Inbetweeners has always been about its central friendship and amidst the vomit and the virginity losing, the film delivers a realistic believable portrait of young blokes - look out for a touching discussion as the penny drops that university might spell the end of the friendship. The performances from Bird, Thomas, Buckley and Harrison are pitch-perfect and amplify a sweetness that is only an undercurrent in the show. Lessons are learned - one huge element of the show is laid to rest - and friendships cemented, although never in a mawkish way. As they arrive in back in Blighty, the unthinkable might have happened: they might have come of age.

Verdict
Like any holiday, it is episodic and suffers from repetition but this is gag-for-gag the funniest film of the summer and a fitting end to a much-loved series. So long boys, it's been great to know you.

Reviewed by Ian Freer

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for The Inbetweeners Movie

RE: Bloody brilliant!
Watched last night and thought it was bloody funny! Really glad I read the review i] I'd seen it, it gives away the punchlines to a lot of the the jokes. Highlights were the opening scene in Jay's bedroom and the first time the guys dance up to the girls. Brilliant. ... More

Posted by Chief at 10:04, 25 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Laugh-free, dull, repetitive...
Agreed it was hardly cinematic prowess but who really takes the inbetweeners like that it was crude and rude but hell it was funny as hell! ... More

Posted by barbydoll at 14:34, 24 August 2011 \| Report This Post



James
I've got to say I really enjoyed this film although although I didn't expect to based on previous sitcoms transitions to the big screen. It was remarkably poignant at times particularly Jay's realisation that they wouldn't be together forever. The girls were also a nice addition to the film adding additional humour. Beyond this it was everything you would expect from the Inbetweeners. It mocked the disabled, almost drowned a nine year old Greek boy, lots of nudity, alcohol induced sickness and c... More


Posted by barbydoll at 14:33, 24 August 2011 \| Report This Post



Bloody brilliant!
Your all wrong in my opinion, this film was awesome! The Dancing scene; i was in stitches and so was the packed cinema. Obvbiously your idea of comedy isnt this but anyone else shouldnt be put off by these reviews they dnt no wat there saying, if your a mega fan of the show GO SEE THIS MOVIE!! You will not be disappointed! ... More


Posted by Empo at 14:14, 24 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Laugh-free, dull, repetitive...
L: ThoseSwellNachos ...are just some of the words I can use to describe this awful exercise in laddish and vulgar situation comedy. If there ever was a perfect demonstration in the disaster of transferring television series to film, look no further than The Inbetweeners Movie. Whereas toilet humour and profanities can be incredibly effectively in a comedy, this movie manages to do the complete opposite; disgusting at first, yet gradually just becomes incredibly boring and repetitive. Ther... More


Posted by Goodfella at 21:42, 23 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Laugh-free, dull, repetitive...
L: ThoseSwellNachos ...are just some of the words I can use to describe this awful exercise in laddish and vulgar situation comedy. If there ever was a perfect demonstration in the disaster of transferring television series to film, look no further than The Inbetweeners Movie. Whereas toilet humour and profanities can be incredibly effectively in a comedy, this movie manages to do the complete opposite; disgusting at first, yet gradually just becomes incredibly boring and repetitive. T... More

Posted by Frank Castle at 00:53, 23 August 2011 \| Report This Post



Laugh-free, dull, repetitive...
...are just some of the words I can use to describe this awful exercise in laddish and vulgar situation comedy. If there ever was a perfect demonstration in the disaster of transferring television series to film, look no further than The Inbetweeners Movie. Whereas toilet humour and profanities can be incredibly effectively in a comedy, this movie manages to do the complete opposite; disgusting at first, yet gradually just becomes incredibly boring and repetitive. There are occasional flickers o... More


Posted by ThoseSwellNachos at 23:02, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Hmm
Not exactly frothing at the gash to go and see this, ... More

Posted by spamandham at 20:34, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Hmm
I've just got back from seeing this and loved it. I did think that I would not be able to stop crying with laughter at the dance scene at the beginning, bloody hilarious. Great end for them all ... More

Posted by Hobbitonlass at 19:31, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Hmm
Cracking film - the only part I disliked was when Simon was selling his clothes. How naive can you get - as if he was going to give you the 100E "later". One of my favourite lines... 'do you mean as a girlfriend, or a prostitute'. Great send off to a cracking show. ... More

Posted by Sumintelligentguy at 18:58, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



Hmm
never seen the series but went with friends who are fans. after the movie though, i don't think i could watch the series. not my humour but an hour and a half could do me fine for a refreshing side of humour. definitely one for the british teenagers ... More


Posted by MoJo16 at 17:34, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: The Inbetweeners Movie
Whilst i'll admit to never having any desire to be knee-deep in clunge, i did rather enjoy this send off to one of my fave TV shows of the past few years. After reading some more than mediocre reviews about its quality and those BBFC cuts i didn't have high hopes but thankfully it all came together in the end. The start of film is slightly off tone tbh - it appears to be following SATC: The Movie template, i.e. introducing all the characters and their situations for those who have never watched... More


Posted by losthighway at 15:27, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Just awful
"Does she actully need another seat?" So awkward. ... More

Posted by Rgirvan44 at 11:33, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Just awful
L: Rgirvan44 I thought it was pretty great. Some sharp humour nce scene alone!) in with some gross out comedy and some genuine moments of pathos. hat was hilarious! Other lol moment for me were LE SPOILERS) the ants The nightclub with the 'stripper' The poolside with the irritating kid "I've got to 'ave a lie down, my head's more fucked than Neil's dad's arsehole".uality. ... More

Posted by superdan at 10:59, 22 August 2011 \| Report This Post



if you like the show...
then you'll love this! ... More


Posted by tysmuse at 21:19, 21 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Just awful
I thought it was pretty great. Some sharp humour (the dance scene alone!) mixed in with some gross out comedy and some genuine moments of pathos. No, there is nothing here to shock you, but the film run time allows the characters the breathe more. Well done to all involved. ... More


Posted by Rgirvan44 at 21:11, 21 August 2011 \| Report This Post



Just awful
Quite possibly one of the most pointless films ever made. Pretty much un-original, un-funny and ridiculously boring. They should have just made this a straight to DVD outing. All I have to say is thank god they won't make any more! ... More


Posted by J_BUltimatum at 17:52, 21 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Yeah, why the change of heart.
k it did, I can't put what because i don't want to give anything away. ... More

Posted by anakin solo at 09:17, 21 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Yeah, why the change of heart.
Saw it yesterday and it was good. I definitely wouldnt advise going in expecting some life changing film. It had some good laughs (the dancing near the beginning of the trip is the best) and I think it was in keeping with what has gone before. Not as good as the series but still ok. I dont think it tied up the overall story line of the boys at all though. ... More

Posted by Hex at 00:35, 21 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Yeah, why the change of heart.
Saw this today and quite enjoyed it. It did feel a bit stretched out at times and could have done with some fat trimmed off, but it does have some genuinely funny scenes and some surprisingly touching moments. ... More

Posted by MonsterCat at 22:08, 20 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Yeah, why the change of heart.
ly enjoyed the inbetweeners ever since i watched series from start to finish and i enjoyed the movie even more, and it was just as gross as vile as the series despite being an fifteen at the cinema and the series an eighteen i think. The first time i tried to go and see it at my local empire all of the showings were full and when i went to see it the next day and the screen was packed and every one was properly laughing out loud. So i loved watching it and found it to be a great ending to the s... More


Posted by anakin solo at 21:59, 20 August 2011 \| Report This Post



Yeah, why the change of heart.
I went in search of a review of this a few days ago and it was a 1 star piece of crap. What happened? I'm so confused right now! ... More


Posted by evildave69 at 14:19, 19 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: 2nd review ???
I think that'll be for a different, though confusingly similarly-titled, film. It seems to have vanished from Empire's site though a quick Google and it's the second one down here: http://www.movie-film-review.com/devfilm.asp?id=13105 ... More

Posted by Davechoc at 22:04, 18 August 2011 \| Report This Post



2nd review ???
I looked for a review of this film a couple of days ago and found a 1 star tirade from chris hewitt. Why the change of heart empire? ... More


Posted by mike87 at 21:23, 18 August 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: The Inbetweeners Movie
L: jace007 ig fan of the first two series, liked the third but I could see that it was stretching a bit thin have to disagree, the third series was just as good as 1&2. After all, if we didn't have that, we'd have missed out on Simon's bollock display at Rudge Park's fashion show and Jay's definitive meaning on what separates Wii users from their counterparts :-) can't remember the Wii thing, but I'll give you the bollock display! Don't get me wrong, it was still very funny in pla... More

Posted by Super Hans at 21:17, 18 August 2011 \| Report This Post



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