Surf II

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!

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.

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).

On behalf of the previous comment I must state-that I can only wish I was fortunate enough to see this film in theaters when it opened in 84, being that i was only 5 at the time, and don't believe it played in the 'god forsaken South, at least not in Arkansas. I'm sure it wasn't a possibility for my viewing pleasure.

Guess what, I hate big budget films, save the Bond epics, and I love B movies, mostly the ones from the 80's- if you want a hardcore piece of hilarity this film is it.

By the by, Eddie Deezen is a geek Hero if they're ever was one, and I rather liked Eric Stolts as a surfer dude. Last but not least a totally radical soundtrack. Stray Cats, Oingo Boingo, and the Circle Jerks all on one album-this rules!

I picked up this movie mainly out of curiosity. The front of the box looked interesting and the back only featured a long list of bands whose music is used in the movie; no mention of actors or plot summary. In many ways, it's a very typical 80's party movie seeing as it features:

i) a weak plot- this is the strange thing about a lot of 80's movies. The plot is so weird it totally blows any chance of the movie focusing on character development or virtually any other element. This particular movie is about a nerd (played beautifully by Eddie Deezen) who is trying to get revenge on surfers because they spiked his cola back in high school. His plan is a new drink, "Buzz Cola" that is designed to turn its drinkers into punk rock zombies.

ii) formula characters- another great feature of 80's movies. You've got suffer dudes, loose girlfriends, a fat guy famous for his eating ability, an evil genius nerd, zombies who look like George Michael from his leather days; etc. Deezen is probably the best cast of the bunch.

iii) female frontal nudity- show me an 80's movie without T&A and I'll... well, I don't know what I'd do, I doubt such a movie exists. It isn't exactly gratuitous here so don't expect a softcore porn fest.

iv) gross outs- from eating contests involving engine parts and dead fish, to an autopsy and a sandwich filled with "special" sauce.

All that being said, this movie is a lot of fun. It's a good movie to put on at a party because I'm sure alcohol would only add to its appeal. If you get a chance to cheaply rent it or buy it, it's no worse than a lot of other movies made around the same time. Give it a whirl.