Jonathan Romney 

The Inbetweeners 2 review – sequel to the box office smash

Jonathan Romney sees few laughs in this misogynistic tale of the lads abroad
  
  

The Inbetweeners 2, other films
The Inbetweeners 2: 'poo, pee and puke'. Photograph: Vince Valitutti Photograph: Vince Valitutti/PR

British TV comedy's favourite Four Stooges take another holiday, resulting in fountainous poo, pee and puke, rampant misogyny, "ironic" rampant misogyny, rampant "irony", and that old Carry On staple, horror of sex (especially among the over-25s). This time it all happens in Australia, and is directed, rather robustly, by writing team Beesley and Morris. I didn't laugh much, but then 2011's The Inbetweeners Movie made a remarkable £45m at the UK box office, and the equally critic-proof sequel will no doubt do as well, if not better.

Voice of the Multiplex Nation: "Can't you at least find something constructive to say about it?" Well, all right: I liked Emily Berrington's sparky turn as Will's foghorn-voiced crush; some gags at the expense of gap-year spirituality seekers; Ben Wheeler's hot, brassy photography; and the line "I can't believe I literally – literally literally – travelled halfway round the world…". And you have to admire Simon Bird, throwing his dignity to the wind with cheerful brio.

 

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