Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise

Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise is the 1987 follow-up to the hit comedy, Revenge of the Nerds. This sequel brings back the original cast, including Robert Carradine in his role as the loveable and relatable Lewis Skolnick, and Curtis Armstrong reprising his role as the eccentric and rebellly Dudley "Booger" Dawson, along with Larry B. Scott as the lively, charismatic Lamar Latrell. Each character is in perfect form - authentic, funny and charismatic in their own unique ways.

Picking up where the original movie left off, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise follows the amusing story of Lewis, Booger, and their band of nerdy brethren from Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity. In this sequel, the nerds have conquered their college, become local heroes and are now ready to embark on a new adventure. This time around, they head to sunny Florida for the United Fraternity Conference. The opportunity to travel to the tropical setting not only spells fun in the sun but also brings a great deal of comedy and chaos, given the nerds' unconventional behaviors, eccentricities, and interactions.

As soon as the nerds arrive in paradise, their journey takes a turn for the worse when they encounter a new adversary, the Alpha Betas. Once again the jocks of Adams College, led by jock bully Roger Latimer, are out to humiliate the nerds. Their hotel reservations are canceled, they're barred from the conference, and faced with numerous attempts meant to undermine them at every turn, the nerds are outcast, even in paradise.

As the heart of the movie unfolds, the nerds take over what can only be concealed as the worst hotel in town - the dilapidated and squeaky Coral Essex. However, with their classic blend of intelligence, humor and teamwork, the nerds turn this misfortune into another chance to rise against the adversities. As they continue to deal with the traditional themes of acceptance versus exclusion, it becomes increasingly clear that these nerds are not going to lay low.

The humor in Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise is upbeat, tongue-in-cheek, chock-full of one-liners and antic-filled adventures. Despite the consistently light-hearted and comedic tone, the film also explores significant themes such as bullying, friendship, courage, and battling societal judgments. The nerds represent those who are different, not necessarily in terms of intellect, but in terms of being non-conformists to the social norms.

Performance-wise, Robert Carradine continues to charm as Lewis, an essentially good-hearted geek who serves as the ringleader of the gang. Curtis Armstrong as Booger provides much of the film's most humorous moments, while Larry B. Scott as Lamar is delightful, always ready with a witty comeback or an eccentric outfit.

Director Joe Roth does an adept job of keeping the plot rolling with a series of memorable set pieces. The film’s setting in Florida adds a magic touch of summer fun, with a quintessential 1980s beach scene vibe, complete with a fun soundtrack that perfectly complements the plot and performances, featuring songs from popular bands of the time.

Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise is a fun-filled dusky gem from the late 1980s, bearing all the hallmarks of the era's brand of comedy - one that was unapologetically entertaining, a tad unrestrained in its tongue-in-cheek humor while carrying an underlying message at its core. It is a film that has its heart in the right place, always cheering on the underdogs and outcasts. Whether or not you've seen the original film or are new to the ‘Nerd’ universe, this film promises to deliver laughter, entertainment and a subtle but effective reminder that it's ok to be different, exceptional even, as it is these differences that truly define us - a universal message that perhaps strikes more of a chord now than ever before.