Fubar II (2011)

Who payed the critics

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Blistering performances.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Terry Cahill and Dean Murdoch are idiot slackers, head-banging best friends in Calgary. Dean is 5 years cancer free and a deadbeat dad. They get evicted and head out to Fort McMurray to make some money. Their friend Tron is dismayed to take them on his work crew. The boys drink and go to the strip club. Terry starts dating barmaid Trish. Dean works the workers' comp angle. His cancer's back to take his other testicle.Other than being a deadbeat dad, the guys have created a great pair of characters. At least, the ex-wife seems at peace with him. They do need somebody to give the production some structure and better comedy. It does ramble around as the story lacks a driving plot. The boys would probably work better as a half hour comedy TV show. They are fun in smaller doses.

Dean and Terry are back and better than ever. This time they've been evicted from their home and travel out west to the Alberta oil sands looking for work with their unhinged buddy Tron. Terry falls for a woman who is nothing less than the village bicycle and him and Deaner struggle to make ends meet, to keep their jobs, and to keep from killing each other. This movie is non-stop laughs from start to finish. If you liked the original Fubar or are a fan of Canadian cinema, or you just like shotgunning a few beers and kicking back with some tunes, I highly recommend this movie. The plot is also surprisingly well developed and poignant with some great twists as well. And they show you what happens when you try to microwave a turkey for 17 or 18 minutes eh... I can't believe it took me this long to watch this movie. Fubar 2: Balls to the Wall is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece. Dean and Terry will keep givin'r even harder in Fubar 3! *fingers crossed*

If you have been watching this movie, I assume that you saw the first Fubar as well. Otherwise you would probably miss out on a lot of details that are useful for the entertainment of this sequel.The main thing about this movie, in contrast to the first Fubar, is that the concept has changed. This is no longer a mockumentary of the decadent Headbangers Dean and Terry, but instead it evolves into a regular acting-movie. Which is an idea that I absolutely can cope with. Too often you see the sequels of various films just copying the concept right off (The Paranormal Activity-series is a perfect example of just that) and rarely leaving any space for innovation and fresh ideas.Fubar II is just the opposite of the average half-ass sequel! By turning the concept of Fubar into a sort of regular movie (with some moments of documentary-like filming) they automatically gained room for more than just the perspective of one persons eyes. We can follow the plot through multiple angles and everything melts together perfectly! The head actors David Lawrence and Paul Spence are keeping the cemented picture of Dean and Terry true to it's origin, and these two characters fits perfect for the plot in this film.Basically, the story begins with a house party that goes out of control in every way. Everything except for Dean and Terry has changed in the past ten years, they are still the same decadent Headbangers that love to party and sees no need for a life better than the one they already have... Until their house burns down. Their old friend "Tron", in his drunken haze, offers them employment at an oil-plant in Fort McMurray, also referred to as "The Mac", in northern Canada.The two Headbangers immediately set off to work at 'The Mac' the morning after and there they meet a not-very-happy to see them 'Tron'. Either way, they manage to find themselves working and finally making the big bucks.I feel no need to further guide you through the story, as this is a review and not the back of a DVD-box.Great acting, many laughable moments and in general a great movie, enjoyable for most people blessed with a sense of humor. It's original, ironic and at times emotional. If you liked the first Fubar, you will definitely enjoy this sequel.

I admit, I was very much looking forward to this sequel as I was a fan of the first. I will admit that although I did enjoy this film, it did feel a bit lacking. Perhaps I was hoping for more of a documentary approach as its predecessor had. That aside however, the movie did deliver some laughs and enjoyment and it was nice to see the duo of Terry and Deaner back together again. It's also note worthy that a lot of the dialogue was improvised which adds to the genuine feel of the characters which in turn gives the film a more natural and fluid feel.Another thing I found quite interesting was the footage of the Oil Sands where the two secured employment. Now, I am far from being an environmentalist but, even in the few shot, you could see how disgusting that area is. I realize that this place keeps a lot of Canadians employed but the environmental impact (just by seeing all the emissions from the area) has to be severely negative.Bottom Line: This film is recommended to those of you with a silly sense of humour, viewers who are simply looking for some light hearted laughter.