disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

GET DUKED! -- A Refreshing and Offbeat Horror Comedy

8/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Review by Camden Ferrell
Picture
Get Duked! is the feature debut of writer/director Ninian Doff. It premiered (under the title Boyz in the Wood) at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival where it won the Midnighters Audience Award before being acquired by Amazon Studios. This is one of the most enjoyable and refreshing comedies in years, and it’s one that is elevated by its witty dialogue and the cast’s consistent chemistry.
 
This film follows four boys on a camping trip who are attempting to earn their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Among these boys are aspiring rapper, DJ Beatroot, his two delinquent friends, Dean and Duncan, and the more sheltered and moralistic Ian. While on their trip, they find themselves being hunted by a mysterious man who they try and escape. This is a fun movie that really thrives off of its eccentric characters and outlandish premise.
 
Doff’s script is very fast-paced and witty from the start, and it’s a style that fits the movie perfectly. He is able to combine juvenile humor with more small-town humor and put his own spin on it with quirky gags and hilarious one-liners. It’s an impressive debut screenplay that really gives the film the characteristics for which it will be remembered.
 
The acting in this movie is also very strong throughout. While it is an ensemble effort, I believe most of the praise should go toward Viraj Juneja who plays the always funny DJ Beatroot. It’s a hilarious role that he embodies perfectly, and he never fails to add hilarity to any scene. Without a doubt, his performance will be the most memorable, and it warrants repeat viewings. The movie also features some great performances from Samuel Bottomley, Rian Gordon, and Lewis Gribben.
Picture
The movie is full of fun musical sequences that set it apart from the rest of the genre. Doff’s musical directing background gets utilized in this movie and creates some energetic, memorable, and downright comical musical numbers. It’s these unapologetically off the wall and hallucinogenic moments that prove Doff is a director with which to be reckoned.
 
The movie also functions as a satire of generational differences and classism. Some of these themes can be a little on the nose and distract from the laughs, but it’s a forgivable shortcoming. It does manage to say something about the abilities and intelligence of those who are deemed delinquent by society, and it’s a cliché but sweet message about the power of teamwork and cooperation.
 
There will not be many movies that are as unafraid to be original as this one. Doff confidently leads his quirky indie film into territory that is daring but absolutely entertaining. Not every joke lands perfectly, but it has a fervent spirit that persists to the end. This movie is full of great jokes and one absolutely insane payoff that make this 87 minute film worth the watch.
 
Get Duked! is the perfect movie to watch at home. It’s light-hearted, shocking, and hilarious. It features some great chemistry from its ensemble, and it’s a phenomenal debut from Doff who definitely has a bright future ahead of him.
 
Get Duked! premieres on Amazon Prime August 28.
 
Rating: 4/5
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About