Surf II

One of the most underrated sleepers to come out of the 1980's involves a plot by Menlo Schwartzer (played by Eddie Deezen) to feed Buzz® Cola (a potent new beverage) to all the surfers and turn them into garbage-consuming zombies.

I'd rather not give away the whole awesome story, but it's pretty clever, a one-of-a-kind gross-out comedy with an excellent new wave/punk rock soundtrack. With some veteran favorites like Ruth Buzzi and Cleavon Little.

When this came out, the world was not quite ready for such a strange and wacky picture. That's rather unfortunate, as most of the people that would have appreciated it probably never will get to see it. It's far too wonderfully appalling to be shown on TV. Go figure.

Ahh, to be back in Cali. Yes, I worked at a surf shop in Newport Beach. Yes, I went to Oingo Boingo concerts. AND HECK YES! I paid CASH, MEAN GREEN, to see this film in the theater when it came out (23 years ago folks).

One of the best/worst films EVER made. I managed to track down a rental copy whilst I was marooned in Minneapolis (for work, ugh) one fateful evening, still as awfully wonderful as ever (the film that is, not Minneapolis).

If you get a chance to see this trash-terpiece, by all means, do it, dude.

This is what a Frankie and Annette movie would have been like if everyone involved had been huffing bags full of airplane glue. The jokes are only (barely) funny if you're totally zooted (you know what I mean!), the performances suck and Eric Stoltz should be forever ashamed, but how can you totally hate a film whose John Belushi knockoff character is named "Johnny Bighead?" His mom is even named Mrs.Bighead! He even runs around screaming the wannabe-catch phrase " Ah Bau Bauu!!!" Oh, and the soundtrack is really, REALLY '80's, including a version of Oingo Boingo's "Only A Lad" that I've never heard anywhere else. And don't drink the BUZZ Cola!

I remember going into a little cinema in Texas to see this film, I wasn't expecting much... What I saw was a dead-on parody of life in the 80's. This is one of the great films of the 80's. There is a great tribute to this film in The Simpsons if you notice Homer always drinks Buzz Cola at the nuclear plant. Surf II has a strange intensity that is lacking in most films of today, too bad its not available on video or DVD. I highly recommend you track this one down, it will be well worth it.

Eddie Deezen you magnificent bastard! Hollywood never did come close to fully utilizing this remarkably nerdy actors full potential or talent, nor his singular screen presence. But rest assured it's with the epic comedy "Surf 2" from 1983 that they came their closest, as it is easily Eddie's best movie and a real treasure for Deezen fans and all fan's of 80's cornball cinema. Every single aspect of this ridiculous, somewhat scatter-brained comedy is distinctively and unmistakably 80's in nature and it's ONLY in the 80's when movies like Surf 2 were made. As some other reviewers have stated, this charming slice of celluloid boasts a "strange intensity" that few other comedies possess (film snobs would say that that's a good thing, but boo-hoo to them!) and they'd be correct as this movie, for the most part, is fast paced and riotous from the get go. "Coke-fueled madness from the 80's" is yet another amusing quote, which is probably accurate when speaking of the rampant lunacy that is Surf 2!

Surf 2 is a strange and scatter-brained comedic hybrid, being both a "beach movie" as well as a "mad scientist movie" and that's the part where Eddie Deezen comes in, he's an evil, vengeful "wizard" named Menlo Schwartzer, who wants his revenge against the local surfers. So what else is there to do other than to concoct "Buzzz Cola" which is central to this movies.... plot, if you're comfortable using such a word when describing the wildly zany shenanigans of Surf 2. To further his plan, Menlo uses (as a surfer-boy bait) a lovely young blonde hottie (Australian actress Linda Kerridge) to lure them into his madness, Menlo's Madness - which happens to be under the sea. "Given the evidence I think even eggplant could've figured that one out".

Some may be surprised by the R-rating that this utterly harmless and feather-weight comedy tote's. That's no doubt due to it's heavy T & A factor, because throughout this film there are numerous shots of hot topless beach beauties frolicking about the beach, plus there are a few F-Bombs dropped here and there and some other naughty words. I suppose it isn't suitable for viewers under the age of 12 - but if your kids are any older than that... please.

Blaring throughout it's duration is a loud and boisterous soundtrack that's a combination of Dick Dale, The Beach Boys, Oingo Boingo and many other artists, mostly from the early 80's if I'm not mistaken. The movies carefully picked tunes only serve to enhance the vibe of this cornball movie, in the form of a perpetual undercurrent of sleaze and tastelessness - not at all unlike what the soundtrack for "The Wraith" (see review) does for that movie; but one things for sure, in both cases their loud n' rockin' soundtracks really do quicken the pace of these movies - both of which are gems of the 80's.

And another thing, if you like the comedy "Joysticks" (an even better movie!) released just months earlier, then you should love Surf 2 as well, as their both VERY much cut from the same cloth, right down to the casting, because in at least a few cases it's the SAME cast.

Yep Surf 2, a movie of absolute pure-nonsense, simply rules if you just turn off your brain when watching it, because big fun is to be had - if you will let yourself.

To re-cap: This is definitely Eddie Deezen's best work, as the evil-nerd-wizard "Menlo Scwartzer" - the proud inventor/wunderkind of Buzzz Cola!

Surf 2 = A-Rate Cinematic Cheese. (Oh and just to be clear, there is no Surf 1 or Surf 3, so don't bother).