The Inbetweeners US version review

Oh dear...Where do I start? The main problem with the US version of The Inbetweeners, is that there are so many bad things I don't know where to start.
Well, why don't I just say that you'll never regret not watching it?. First, the actors: What were they thinking?! 





Will is played by a robotic average-to-good looking bloke. He's not geeky, he doesn't seem smart in a pretentious way (not even in any way) and above all, he's not funny at all. Let's face it, Simon Bird does a wonderful job with his voice over lines.







Then comes Simon: No personality whatsoever. He's just an entity that speaks every now and then, and lacks of the awkwardness, neuroticism and romanticism of the original character. Joe Thomas and his facial expressions were pure gold, but this new Simon is just forgettable.






Now, when it comes to Jay, we're talking about the lowest point of all. 
Everyone knows how Jay is, and the way he throws his great, rude and unique banters, right? Well, nothing of that is displayed by this Jay. These are cringeworthy jokes, but in the way you feel bad for the actor, and perhaps it makes you want to punch him in the face too. (I wont even mention the weight issue)





                                         
 And finally,Neil. As you know, Neil is obviously dim, but this new Neil is just plain dumb in a Jake Harper way ; as I explained before, it makes you want to hit him so hard sometimes.
Briefly, he doesn't make you laugh and grow some affection, (that goes for all of them) but to hate them.






It's just a copy of the same jokes and scenarios that work perfectly with British humour, but fails miserably to draw you a smile with this version.
So, to sum up, in Will's words ''That was fucking dreadful". Watch it if you don't believe me (I couldn't stand it anymore after 2 episodes)

TOP 5 Friendship Moments

5. Hug in the boat - The Field Trip

It may not look as a big moment of friendship, but consider this: Would you hug a naked freezing boy in a boat, (even if it was to prevent his death by hypothermia), where everyone can see you, if that boy wasn't one of your best mates?. A quite funny, bizarre but friendship moment as well. That's why I think it deserves the fifth place.

4. Tent talk and the walk at the end - Camping Trip

Perhaps you'll say it doesn't differ with other chats of our characters, but the main point that takes to the fourth place this moment, was Neil's question to Simon: ''What do you want us to do with Will?'', and Will's thankful response for trying to care for him (after stating he wasn't a street cat). And of course, their walk after the vomit scene, where they have their usual banters, but pretty much closer than ever.

3. Talk and fooling around on the trampoline - Xmas Party

Well, there's not a lot to say about this scene, just that it is so simple, but at the same time it makes you feel that nice feeling of being one of them, as it is a kind of situation you probably had many times with your mates.

2. Leaving the pub - Exam Time

It's really difficult to see Jay split up and not to feel sad for him. I mean, he's the teaser, the wound up of the group, but in this episode we get to see a whole different side of him, and watching him try vainly not to lose Chloe and then cry, is just awful. 

But here is where the friendship shows up, and you get to see how our inbetweeners leave the pub trying to comfort each other (as Simon had recently experienced a very similar situation, not being as sad as Jay's, though still pretty uncomfortable) and then the jokes towards Will start to flow. (Brad Shit between my favourites)

1. Simon and Jay take Will after Charlotte breaks his heart - Girlfriend

This is the moment that establishes their true friendship. After having fought with Simon, and choosing a girl over his mates, Will realises the mistake he has made after being crushed by Charlotte. In the sole company of his mother, he feels really sad for having lost his only friends, but at that moment, someone rings Will's bell: Simon and Jay, having seen Will's reaction to the participation of Charlotte in the school dating game, felt sorry for him, and went to his home to ask if he could join them in their plan to watch Neil's younger (and nerdy) date.

We know how this ends, and the best of all these parts, are its soundtracks (She's got you high by Mumm-ra and In between days, by The Cure) that add that special uplifting sense to the whole ending.

The Inbetweeners First Movie VS The Inbetweeners Second Movie

''The Inbetweeners Movie'' (2011)

''Four socially troubled 18-year-olds from the south of England go on holiday to Malia.''

PERSONAL REVIEW

There may be many words to describe this film, but above all, the word FUNNY sticks out. Absolutely hilarious, pretty rude and gross sometimes, and that's just what we love about the inbetweeners, isn't it?

I think that one of the things that made this film that good, is mainly its loyalty to the series (in fact, it certainly is a lot more enjoyable once you've seen the show, though it's not a requirement).

Another point I really liked, was that it didn't rely solely in the mocking jokes, or the sex puns, but in their relation as well. What I mean is, that it never seemed flat or tedious, and the way all the characters appear on the scenes is very well balanced (the secondary actors assume a pretty important role)

Perhaps, the one thing that felt a little too ''fairy tale ending'', was the fact that every one of them ended with their dreamed girl (or sort of), and well, that's not the natural course in our main characters life...but this didn't even bother me that much, really.

Again, understand, it's not the series, but it makes a great work trying to approach to it.
*Bonus: Neil's talk with Will after ruining his chances with Alison has a really good and practical message, if you avoid the dumb parts (God is dog backwards)

My score is 8.5 / 10

''The Inbetweeners 2'' (2014)

Jay, Neil, Simon, and Will reunite in Australia for a holiday.

PERSONAL REVIEW

Let's start by saying straight away, that it's not a bad film. Although I have to say, it is not as good as the first one.

The chemistry between our four mates is still pretty good, and it seems like the actors literally ARE the characters, as they play them so naturally.

However, this film lacks the fluency of plot that the previous one had. What I mean with this, is that in some points, the movie turns a little slow, or the jokes feel so mechanic and predictable, that they don't look like the classic, surprising, awkward and brilliantly funny jokes of the inbetweeners. It is difficult to explain, given that these film's jokes pretty much have those ingredients, but maybe in the wrong proportion. 

So, how can I say it? The previous film had that ''je ne sais quoi" that the show also had (it might be something that mostly fans will get).

Maybe, one of the things that I disliked the most, was the nonsense of the last 20 minutes;why would Jay try to pursue Jane that desperately? How is it that Lucy just happened to become a jealous psycho? And then just randomly to a cheating psycho?

Well, summarizing, this ends as I started it: good movie (it really is) but definitely, not as good as the first one.

My score is 7.5 / 10

TOP 5 Best episodes of The Inbetweeners

5. Camping Trip

 

Summary

Whilst Neil worries that he has got the girl from the cheese counter at ASDA pregnant, Simon is upset that his family must move to Swansea for his father's work. Will suggests a farewell camping trip for the four boys, though he is less than happy when the others use his possessions to light the camp-fire and Simon is not pleased when Neil and Jay let his car run into a lake. After a game in which each of them texts somebody on another's phone, Neil discovers that he is not a father after all and the boys bond in their own odd way.

Best 

• Simon's reaction to his move to Wales
• Simon's father talk
• Will's reaction when the others burn his things
• The cellphones messages game

Not so good

• Obviously, it's the end of the series
• Maybe it was too open-ended, I mean, what did Carli's message say?, what happened to Neil's STD?, could Simon get the car back?

Score: 8.6 / 10

4. The Field Trip

Summary

On a field trip to the Dorset coast Jay fails to locate the mythical housewife who deflowers schoolboys, Neil becomes a (paedophile) teacher's pet and Will and Simon fall out over pretty new girl Lauren. To cut their losses the boys take a boat around the bay but Simon falls in and ends up nude in front of the whole coach party with only a sock to cover his modesty.

Best

• Will's attempts to impress Lauren over Simon (''Feisty one you are!")
• Will trying to break Simon and Lauren's eternal hug
• Neil punching a fish to death
• Will's final rant

Not so good

• The parts of Jay and Neil weren't that funny
• Didn't like to see Will's worst side towards his best friend (though Simon was always henpecked)

Score: 8.8 / 10

3. The Fashion Show

Summary

Jay is annoyed when Carli asks Simon and not him to be a model in her charity fashion show,the proceeds going towards a kidney machine to help the unaccountably popular wheelchair-bound Alistair Scott. Against his principles Wil takes the money at the door,when not fighting Alistair,but is thrilled when Charlotte returns and asks him to take part with her on the catwalk. Simon ends up modelling skimpy bathing trunks and,in his hurry to put them on,literally lets it all hang out. Unlike the onlookers,Carli is not amused.

Best

• Jay's jealousy for not modelling (every single line he has is really funny)
• Simon's reaction after his parents and brother are taking the piss out of him for practising the modelling
• Will's attempt to get rid of Alistair (Bah-Dee-Boo-Ba!♫)
• Simon's speedo, of course

Score: 9.0 / 10

2. Exam Times

Summary

The end of term exams loom. Simon, to the detriment of his own subjects, is excited when Carli comes to his house to revise, revealing that she is single again and rewarding him with kisses. Jay, for once, swaps lust for romance when he is smitten by Chloe, a sweet young girl from another school. Neil forgets his P.E. kit but gets through in his vest and pants and Will has an accident with his bowels after too many energy drinks but still gets his grades. However, Chloe drops Jay for being "too sensitive", Carli goes back to her ex-boyfriend and the boys end up with each other, useless lovers but good friends.

Best

• We get to see a new side in Jay (the part were he breaks up is one of the saddest of the series, and James Buckley shows a brilliant acting)
• Simon's humiliation every time he is near Carli
• Will's psycho attitude
• That final scene where they leave together in the car, trying to cheer Jay up, and mocking Will

Score: 9.3 / 10

1. Bunk Off

Summary

The four bunk off School and get drunk. Simon tells Carli D'amato he loves her by writing it on her drive way in big letters. It ends badly when Simon and Will's parents find out what they've been doing all day.

Best

• Well, pretty much everything; the frisbee part, when Will is trying to buy alcohol, the part when Will insults Neil's dad(BUMDER!) , Simon's drunk talk with Carli (this...is the package!), etc, etc, etc.The entire episode is a masterpiece to make you laugh and cringe.

Score: 9.8 / 10