Porky’s II: The Next Day (1983) Movie Review: A Cruder Sequel with a Dash of Social Commentary
Overview
Directed by Bob Clark, “Porky’s II: The Next Day” (1983) is the sequel to the wildly popular 1981 teen comedy “Porky’s.” The film continues the antics of the high school boys from Angel Beach, focusing on their attempts to pull off a new series of pranks and navigate teenage life. While it retains the crude humor and raunchy escapades of the original, this sequel also attempts to tackle social issues, albeit with mixed success.
Plot Summary
The film picks up the day after the events of the original “Porky’s.” The boys from Angel Beach High School, led by Pee Wee (Dan Monahan), Billy (Mark Herrier), and Tommy (Wyatt Knight), are preparing for their school’s upcoming Shakespearean festival. However, they face opposition from several quarters, including a group of religious fundamentalists, a corrupt politician named Commissioner Gebhardt (Bill Wiley), and the Ku Klux Klan.
As the boys devise new schemes to embarrass and outwit their adversaries, they also deal with personal challenges and romantic entanglements. The main plot revolves around their efforts to ensure the Shakespearean festival goes on despite the attempts to shut it down. The boys use a variety of pranks and tricks to expose the hypocrisy and bigotry of their opponents, leading to a series of comedic confrontations.
Performance and Direction
Dan Monahan, Mark Herrier, and Wyatt Knight reprise their roles with the same youthful exuberance and camaraderie that defined the original film. Their performances capture the mischievous spirit and rebellious nature of their characters, making them relatable despite the over-the-top antics.
Bob Clark’s direction maintains the comedic pacing and irreverent tone of the first film, but also tries to incorporate a more serious commentary on social issues such as racism, censorship, and religious extremism. While these themes add a layer of depth to the film, they are often overshadowed by the crude humor and slapstick comedy that dominate the narrative.
The supporting cast, including Kaki Hunter as Wendy and Scott Colomby as Brian, provide additional comic relief and contribute to the ensemble’s dynamic. However, the film’s heavy reliance on gags and pranks sometimes detracts from character development and story coherence.
Visuals and Cinematography
The cinematography by Reginald H. Morris is straightforward, effectively capturing the small-town setting and the various hijinks of the characters. The film does not boast any particularly notable visual style, focusing instead on delivering clear and accessible comedy.
The practical effects and stunts used in the pranks and comedic set pieces are executed competently, contributing to the film’s humorous and chaotic atmosphere. The straightforward visual approach allows the comedic elements to take center stage.
Themes and Relevance
“Porky’s II: The Next Day” attempts to address themes of censorship, racism, and hypocrisy through its storyline and characters. The film’s portrayal of the battle against the Ku Klux Klan and religious fundamentalists adds a layer of social commentary, highlighting the boys’ fight against intolerance and prejudice.
However, the film’s handling of these themes is often superficial, with the serious issues taking a backseat to the crude humor and teenage antics. While the attempt to incorporate social commentary is commendable, it is not always effectively integrated into the narrative, resulting in a somewhat disjointed tone.
Streaming and Availability
For viewers in the United States, “Porky’s II: The Next Day” is available for streaming on various platforms. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other streaming services. The film is also available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and YouTube Movies.
Conclusion
“Porky’s II: The Next Day” is a crude and irreverent sequel that retains the raunchy humor of its predecessor while attempting to tackle social issues with mixed results. The performances by the returning cast members and Bob Clark’s direction maintain the spirit of the original, providing plenty of laughs and outrageous moments.
While the film’s efforts to address themes of censorship, racism, and hypocrisy add an interesting dimension, they often get overshadowed by the slapstick comedy and adolescent pranks. Fans of the original “Porky’s” will likely enjoy the continuation of the characters’ antics, but those looking for a more cohesive and nuanced exploration of social issues may find the film lacking.
Overall, “Porky’s II: The Next Day” is an entertaining but flawed comedy that delivers on its promise of crude humor and teenage rebellion, making it a fun but forgettable entry in the teen comedy genre.
