Trailer Park Boys: The Movie

Just saw this tonight along with a sold out crowd (can't remember the last time I was at a movie that was sold out hours in advance). Did not disappoint at all, had everything you would want from the boys and more. The only thing I thought that could of improved the film is a bit more time fleshing out the story lines. The "Big Dirty" turns out to be a quick job that might disappoint some people. Overall a rightful standing ovation at the end of the film from the Sunnyvale hungry audience. I personally would like to have seen more Ray, as he always cracks me up but this is nit picking and I am sure that they will explore these things in future sequels (I hope). I am sure a lot of this might go over the head of American audiences once this is released there but for now I revel in this made for Canada movie with all the in jokes any Canuck would love. I plan to see it again once the crowds die down, I tell you it was a mad house atmosphere in the theater and well deserved.

I watched the "Trailer Park Boys: The Movie" Halifax Premiere on October 6 in a packed theater with the full cast in attendance. Notably in character was a bare chested Patrick Roach as "Randy". John Dunsworth as "Jim Lahey" patrolled the aisles in the theater checking to see if "anybody got a lil' drinky poo?" I know that laughter in a theater is contagious, but I really thought the movie was hilarious and I plan to purchase the movie DVD. I thought that Mike Smith as "Bubbles" probably got the biggest laughs, bringing the house down with the funniest one-liners and close-ups. Robb Wells as "Ricky" was terrific as the fast talking schemer and probably did the best acting. John Paul Tremblay as "Julian" had great screen presence as the quiet, burly, drink-toting enforcer.

The movie is all comedy, but it's a combo of slapstick, mocumentary, drama and action, and it even has its touching moments. I don't recall anything in the movie that needs to be taken seriously. The characters are at the bottom of the totem pole in life and their exceptionally poor ambition manages to exceed their ability, intelligence or education so they are unable to achieve any of their minimal goals. This cycles them between laziness, poverty and petty crime. Somehow, the characters don't really seem unhappy, since this is normal to them, and I guess that makes it feel okay for me to laugh at them.

I'm sorry to say I haven't been faithfully following the TV series, but I now am intent on working my way through the whole series on DVD to get caught up and that's something to look forward to. I know this will be a big hit in Canada, and I expect it to do very well in the USA and worldwide.

One of the great things about Trailer Park Boys on TV are the scripts. In a half hour format, they are cleaver and tight. The movie format with the given script only stretched it out and makes it flabby.

If the film had been conceived with the same snappy pace as the TV versions if would have been much better; perhaps four snappy subplots cleverly linked together. The film draws too much on previous TV episodes and needs more new material.

While the production values are better than the TV series, I don't think this works for the film either. TPB are down and dirty; no polish required.

I caught the private screening hosted by Ivan Reitman on Sept 11th in Toronto. I enjoyed the movie a lot. I was mostly impressed with Rob Wells and Mike Smith, who really stepped up their performances for the big screen. Any fans of the show will surely like the movie, so be sure to check it out. It's tough to say whether the movie will gain fans outside of Canada, but let's keep in mind that Canadian movies like Porky's and Meatballs did so I wouldn't be surprised if TPB:The Movie obtains the same cult-like fan base. As a side note, I was surprised by the amount of T & A used. I could see how it was added much in the same way comedy movies from the 1980s used it to pacify the audience. I'm still undecided about whether or not it was necessary and it may have taken away from the inside- tone of the show's/movie's concept.

I have never (!) seen an episode of TPB. Although I knew what it was, I thought it would be "stupid" humour, so I never bothered. Went to the movie on opening night ... it is an absolute blast! Hilarious! I hope it's as good for die-hard fans of the TV show as it was for me as a newbie.

If people the world over thinks that the TPB are what Canadians are like, that's just fine by me. These guys are truly good people. They appeal to both the typical "chick flick" crowd and the typical "guy flick" crowd (whatever those are). People who think they're too smart to watch "movies like this" will be swept up in the warmth and humour in spite of themselves - and probably learn some new ways to use the word f**k. Half-way through the movie I was already planning when I could go see it again. It's just great. Go see it immediately!