Fubar: Balls To The Wall
Blu-ray | DVD | On Demand
Directed by Michael Dowse
Starring: David Lawrence, Paul J. Spence, Andrew Sparacino, Terra Hazelton
Screen Media Films
Release date: April 20, 2011

The sequel to the Canadian mockumentary comedy, FUBAR, has arrived. Screen Media Films have been marketing this film as “Spinal Tap meets The Trailer Park Boys” – but it’s got a bit of Jackass in there too, as well as a touch of Tenacious D, Bill and Ted, and Wayne’s World thrown in for good measure. And while there is truth to the comparisons above, there’s something about the sequel, Fubar: Balls to the Wall that stands on its own. If you’re a metalhead, and enjoy any of the films mentioned above, then this is a movie you will most likely enjoy.

And there’s metal and hard rock spread nicely throughout this film, with songs from and references to bands such as Dio, Krokus, Blue Cheer, Poison, Slaughter, and much more.

The original film, Fubar, was released in 2002 and has since reached cult status, especially in Canada from what I’ve been told. The new film picks up five years after the original and kicks off with the two main characters, Terry and Dean (David Lawrence and Paul Spence respectively), having a party celebrating Dean’s “good health” since beating testicular cancer in the previous movie. The party turns into an eviction demolition celebration, culminating in the destruction of the house that includes the use of a chainsaw.

The premise of the movie is that the aging headbangers are moving on from one chapter of their life, to another. Terry and Dean decide to head out to Fort McMurray, where they’ve been promised new employment possibilities laying oil pipeline. The promise comes from their intoxicated and chainsaw-wielding good friend Tron (Andrew Sparacino).

At this point, I have to say, I love the fact there’s a character called Tron in this film, and on top of that he kind of looks a bit like me too. He has a killer beard… which actually keys into the plot later on during the Christmas section of the movie.

In Fort McMurrary, Terry and Deaner begin their new job following their safety training scenes, which are brilliant, especially when you see the main characters cheering at the gore in the training videos – something a horror fan like me would probably do.

However, as time progresses, we find our two metalheads begin to drift apart, as they find further differences in their friendship and as Terry meets new girlfriend Trish (Terra Hazelton), in a sequence that resembles some kind of twisted and random Yoko Ono invasion dividing the heroes. Dean finds himself increasingly isolated from Terry and his other friends, and sinks into a deeper depression when he learns his cancer has returned.

Like the original, Fubar II is filmed in documentary-style, which is a little difficult to get into the swing of at the beginning, but the acting in the movie, for me anyway, reminded me a lot of the Australian comedy show Kath and Kim. That coupled with the clear influences from Anvil: The Story of Anvil, help the viewer ease into the style. Terra Hazelton puts in a winning and hilarious performance as she embraces the stereotypes her character represents, and is a nice addition to the chemistry between David Lawrence and Paul Spence.

Before watching Fubar, I was under the impression that I would be writing a review starting with, “If you’re after a film that provides more meaning and insight into the way life, this isn’t for you.” But this couldn’t be further from the truth; Fubar: Balls To The Wall, while good fun from start to finish, has some incredibly (and surprisingly) poignant moments where I found myself emotionally moved. There are a couple of sad moments where you really feel for the characters and an accomplishing scene featuring Boston‘s “More Than A Feeling” which had me in stitches, with a grin from ear to ear.

The key element that Fubar: Balls to the Wall nails are moments that numerous metalheads have probably experienced in their younger years – perhaps not their own experiences, but memories of some of the stupid shit their friends have done in the past. It’s the ultimate love letter to the one-liners and misguided moments of metalhead memories from the 80s and 90s.

These characters are easy to love, and so as the movie progresses, you really do feel their highs and lows. It may not be the top movie of all time, but when coupled with its comedic elements and serious moments, if you’re after a film that embraces what fun is all about, then Fubar: Balls To The Wall is worth a look.

Trailer