Porky's II

Before there was "American Pie," there was "Porky's," the classic '80s sex-comedy created and directed (for two out of three installments, anwyay) by the late, great Bob Clark.

"Porky's II: The Next Day" is a laugh-a-minute smut fest that picks up exactly where the original "Porky's" left off. Pee Wee, Tommy, Meat and the Angel Beach gang don't have to deal with old Porky this time around; instead their school's big drama club presentation of the works of Shakespeare is being threatened by a fire-and-brimstone preacher and his flock, who claim The Bard's works are "indecent." To complicate matters further, the production's "Romeo" happens to be played by a Native American, which brings the local KKK into the picture. Will Pee Wee and the gang put up with such interference? Of course they won't, and before you know it the boys (and girl) are busily setting up elaborate series of pranks to get even with the Reverend, the Klan, and a sleazy, double dealing councilman. They even take time to fix the wagon of the dreaded gym teacher from Hell, Miss Balbricker!... all in the name of triumphing over the forces of injustice and intolerance, of course.

Yes, folks, believe it or not, this is a sex comedy with a social conscience. You'll still get your share of goofball raunchy bits (don't miss the scene involving "Graveyard Gloria," which also features the best bit of comic zombie action ever filmed) but at the same time, you'll cheer as you watch the irritating Holy Rollers and clueless Klansmen get their comeuppance.

I may be in the minority, but I think the "Porky's" series actually got better as it went along. I prefer "II: The Next Day" over the original, and the 3rd film, "Porky's Revenge," is my favorite installment overall. If you're looking for an '80s flashback, or just an immature chuckle, then give this one (or any of the "Porky's" films) a spin and give your inner 14 year old the time of his life. "Wooooo Boogie boogie boogie!"

This is clearly a fun-filled sequel to the original classic film because once again, the eccentric cast of characters really show great chemistry amongst each others and only a few characters have truly transitioned. Pee Wee is still Pee Wee but he is no longer the virgin everyone knew from the film, but still gets himself in hot water. Tommy and Billy are still the pranksters of the group, pulling off one of the funniest pranks against their arch-nemesis Miss Balbricker. Let's just say this involves a stall and a snake. Wendy truly has risen from bit player to more one of the gang here with her impeccable stunt in the third act of the film. Tim is no longer the racist good guy he was in the beginning and is best friends with Brian, who also has gotten his rank upped to major player.

This isn't a bad movie and indeed there are some great cheeky moments and scenes but the overall feeling of the movie is one of desperation, thankfully the follow up to this was great but to follow a classic like Porky's i expected much better. The usual misfits from angel beach return led by the great peewee,and they are involved in a school play but when they cast an native American Indian then the local church and KKK group get involved in protest. I suppose that's the problem here as the film takes a stance against racism which is all well and good but it isn't great in the company of the filthy jokes and just seems to be there to gain acclaim and from what i read this wasn't a success upon release so hey ho to that idea. "Porky's II" does have a few slow moments, but nevertheless it is enjoyable to watch to get a few laughs.

Overall rating: 5 out of 10.

I'm a bit sad that so many people hate this film... it's entertainment, guys, not social commentary. C'mon people, this is one of those films where you check PC at the door!

While it *is* crude, it has some truly great funny moments in it, such as the duel of Shakespeare/Bible quotes (I shamelessly admit I love it when the principal says "Get the fluck outta here!"), the duel on the stage replacing a sword with a female mannequin leg (the death moment is priceless), and Wendy's besequined tart role-play humiliating the handsome jerk politician at a high-profile restaurant ("It tastes much better going down...!" EEEEW!!!)

Another thing I love about the Porky's films is the male nudity. Female nudity not integral to the plot is rampant in most films, and while part of the story here, it's delightful to see more naked men than in any other non-"adult" film I know. Even The Full Monty doesn't show all *this*! Equality at last! And in the '80s to boot!

Writer / director Bob Clark just couldn't come up with an engaging enough sequel to his 1982 sex comedy classic. Since it is "another day", our gang starts out on a predictable enough note, as Pee Wee is badgered about losing his virginity, and finding companionship for his friends. Gone is the ultra-raunchy, T & A of the first "Porky's", as Clark seems determined here to go the ultra-politically correct route. The gang finds that, of many groups spewing their nonsense, the KKK are ripe for some retribution. They also incur the wrath of a Bible thumping religious leader (Bill Wiley), who comes down hard on their high school Shakespeare production, denouncing it as trash especially since a Seminole youth (Joseph Runningfox) has been cast in the lead.

The cast continues to be watchable, but this is is pretty disappointing given the nature of the original. It comes off as if Clark is trying to apologize for the R-rated shenanigans, when he had nothing to apologize for. Unfortunately, most of the material is uninspired. "Porky's II: The Next Day" is certainly good for some mild laughs, and smiles (Coach Balbricker (Nancy Parsons) gets her comeuppance thanks to a slithering accomplice). Dan Monahan is still fun as the often put-upon Pee Wee, but much of the movie really belongs to the enchanting Kaki Hunter as Wendy. She is able to introduce an element of humanity into the proceedings.

People who really love the original "Porky's" will find this to be a much too mild rehash.

Five out of 10.

As often happens, this sequel to PORKY'S (1982) is inferior to the original - but, then, neither is it as bad as Leonard Maltin claims in his esteemed Film Guide!

It does cheat by forsaking the titular establishment entirely, though the formula is pretty much the same as before - except that here some of the characters from the original disappear and are replaced by new ones, while the girl who was involved with the protagonist in the first film gets a bigger part this time around. Again, the film pits a certain minority - in this case, American Indians - against a bigoted community.

While the film's major asset has to be the over-the-top characterization of the hypocritical Reverend, there are almost as many belly laughs here as in the original. Scenes that particularly stand out are the 'Shakespeare v. Bible' quoting duel (even if it's kind of silly and out-of-character to have the boys involved in putting on a show of the Bard's work in the first place) and the individual come-uppance of the gang's various antagonists - the KKK (in the school gymnasium), the duplicitous board member (humiliated in a restaurant prior to re-election) and the aforementioned evangelist and his flock (at their own rally).

P.S. Interestingly, co-writer Alan Ormsby had previously collaborated with Clark on his first two horror outings - CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1972; which I've never watched) and DEATHDREAM (1972)!