Ah Boys to Men 2 Movie Review!!!

Can it surpass the massively popular first movie?? Read on to find out!!

While the iron is still hot from the first movie, we are struck with this sequel.  The first movie proved immensely popular in Singapore and this follow up looks to be even more so.  I attended a 1.15am screening over the Chinese New Year period and the cinema was packed full of people of all ages.

Following on right from the end of the first movie, Ken (Joshua Tan) is still reeling from the consequences of his hotheaded actions in the first movie.  His father (Richard Low) is undergoing rehab following a stroke and this has helped to finally kick some sense into him.  At the start of Ah Boys 2, Ken is a different guy, first at roll-call and driven to do his best, there now appear to be two try-hards in this squad, the other being Aloysius (Maxi Lim).  This of course doesn't go down too well with the rest of the crew and something of a rift starts to develop between Ken, Aloysius and the rest of the boys. 

Hijinks soon ensue to lighten the mood when IP Man is devastated to discover that his girlfriend has left him for some douchebag (with a fake tattoo).  The squad uses their military training to exact tactical revenge through unconventional (gross) urban warfare techniques - but not without consequences.  Ultimately it is the core values of their military training that gets the boys through.  Leave no soldier behind. 

The rift between Ken and the boys could easily have become more serious but as Ken grows throughout the movie as a man, developing a strong sense of right and wrong, he becomes someone that ultimately all the boys look up-to.  Aloysius too gets a sense of what it means to be a true team player.  The consequence is that the team finishes their training as a unified unit, friends, allies, brothers.

I enjoyed this a lot more than the first movie.  Although at first Ken's sudden change of character may seem too extreme and sudden, the continued development of Ken and all the characters make them all much more real and likable.  Scenes involving Ken's father were truly touching and the comedy moments were much more enjoyable, for me relying much less on local humor.  I felt the movie as a whole is much more accessible to non-Singaporeans although there is still a fair share of locally targeted jokes. 

The conclusion is a heart warming; feel good, coming of age movie.  It may not do anything that we haven't seen before and some will argue that the movie is too righteous and altruistic in its message, but it wears its heart on its sleeve and never tries to be anything more than it is.  If you enjoyed the first movie then you will definitely enjoy this.  Check it out!

Rating 3.5 out of 5

Wait!!!  In celebration of Chinese New Year we are giving away a DVD of Ah Boys to Men!!  All you have to do is go and like our Facebook page, share the special giveaway picture shown below: 

Then leave a comment below the picture to let us know!  It's that simple!  Winners will be announced on Wednesday 20th February! Do it, do it now!!!

Good luck!

Bobby