Manta, Manta

Manta manta is one of the funniest films I ever saw. The film is a parody description of a parallel world that has existed in Europe in the eighties and nineties. And may be still: It's the world of Opel Manta drivers, of man called 'Mani' and blonde women, often hairdressers called 'Ushi'. All sharing one passion:

OPEL MANTA

i can really understand that this film isn't rated very high, when you're not from holland or germany you won't understand this movie. it's primarely based on stereotypes / people that live in these countries. if you know people like this you'll see that every stereotype in the movie is portrayed just right! i love this "cult" movie.

So first of all, what do people expect from a car tuning/racing comedy from the beginning of the 1990s? I hope not, Francis Ford Coppola worthy acting and family dinners that drag on for half an hour. Take it with a grain of salt, for what it is.

As part two , which I never expected, just hit the streaming services (in this case SKY), I felt like watching the original, to prepare. And it paid off well. Being born in 1980, the first film was part of my youth and we watched it a couple of times, having drinks and laughing about it all. What I did not remember, was the deeper sense of it, and Klausi being the not obvious hero.

Honestly it is not an eight star movie, but considering the bad reviews and harsh words that it got by some of my peer critics, I felt like being generous.

An absolute cult classic for anyone from a german speaking background born around the time.

Thanks for the memories really.

This film is probably only worth watching if you're from Western Europe. If you're not from there you miss the main point of the movie, portraying and maybe even exaggerating stereotypes.

The car the movie's title refers to, the infamous Opel Manta, is a car that has achieved cult status in Germany and is according to the general opinion mostly driven by 'socially unadjusted' people. Then again, if you look at the movie in a deeper perspective it might have a little more to it. You could see it as a movie about people with ambitions, (the mechanic that goes to university), setting your priorities straight (the main character that decides not to enter the race when he hears his girlfriend is pregnant) or about character (the 'loser' type that wins the final race).

This is the ultimate film for a true carlover. Though lots of people might disagree on this point with me. Yes it's a german flick, but hey what the heck, it doesn't even matter if you understand anything said in this film, the racing is just so cool. It is a compilation of true oldschool streetracing. Sure the plot ain't all that, it's just all about the cars, which are simply affordable for most people and that makes it all the more interesting! I've seen enough fancy films with unaffordable monstercars, Manta Manta is just the real thing.

I'll have to agree with some people on this forum that this movie is probably the MOST interesting for german or Dutch people.

if you ever get the opportunity to get your hands on this film, be sure not to miss it. Just give it a try and you'll be surprised!