Get Duked!

I went in to this not expecting much, and knowing it's not exactly high brow humor, but I completely underestimated it. Absolutely hilarious, and gets better as it goes. I can't remember the last time I was genuinely trying to catch my breath from laughing so hard. 100% recommend if you're in the mood for a silly movies.

Being Scottish, this movie definately resonated with me. Dodgy spiked weed, a hugely divisive social class system, and magic mushrooms - we got it all! Its part of that genre of movies Surviving The Game belonged to. Its a genre with a number of recent examples, this one being my favourite. It really feels like a Scottish movie. Reminds me a bit of Bad Taste or The Wicker Man (original title), those homegrown genre movies made with a vibe of the local people producing them, rather than a big budget hollywood group coming in and trying to do it for them. DJ Beetroot was a highlight; so may disinfranchised young asian lads aspiring towards rap in the city of Edinburgh these days, that really struck a cord. The take on the mushroom trip was funny and kinda accurate, as far as I remember from taking them as a young lad. Its a rite of passage, part of being Scottish. The ending also really worked for me, all round a great wee movie, its very funny.

Like a marriage between League of Gentlemen, Psychoville and Sightseers, with a sprinkling of Four Lions, it's a smart dumb stoner comedy from a scattershot, twisted amateur with a laminated certificate

Be warned - it takes most of the film to reach the above conclusion. Up to that point, you wouldn't be wrong in saying it misses the mark. It has a familiar feeling, with nothing new to bring to comedy-horror, but its young cast act well, and add to a slow-burning story

With an undercurrent that explores class issues and generational divides, 'Get Duked! (2020)' sees four schoolboys become stranded in the Scottish Highlands, chased by homicidal cultists as they attempt to complete the much-coveted 'Duke of Edinburgh' award. The flick balances humour with horror, leaning heavily towards the former but always respecting the latter. There are no real scares in the thing but it doesn't really matter; no-one should really expect existential terror, grotesque body horror or, even, plain old jump scares in a piece such as this. Unfortunately, there aren't any real laughs, either. Don't get me wrong, there are chuckles peppered throughout. Plus, the flick is generally affable and energetic enough that it isn't heavily impacted by its lack of high-calibre comedy. It's an enjoyable experience that sometimes satisfyingly subverts audience expectation. It's a decent effort. 6/10

This film was the opening gala for the Edinburgh Film Festival and definitely deserved the accolade. Quirky and experimental it has many laugh out loud moments in a truly original spin on the old story of city boys surviving in the wild.The director and writer Ninian Doff has a rare original talent and is definitely someone to watch. You can see his music video influences throughout the film giving it a fresh and pacey vibe. A very talented British cast make the most of the heddy mix of horror and outrageous comedy with Kate Dickie and James Cosmo standouts along with the 4 newcomers playing the boys. Surreal and wild this film has an energy that will make you feel you are on a drug induced high. Highly recommended.