Screwballs II: Loose Screws

Screwballs II: Loose Screws, released in 1985, is a raucous teen comedy sequel to the original "Screwballs” movie. The film stars Bryan Genesse, Lance Van Der Kolk, and Alan Deveau, continuing the adventures of a group of high school friends, providing an entertaining blend of adolescent humor and sheer exuberance.

The plot revolves around four boys from Beavers High - Steve Hardman (Bryan Genesse), Hugh G. Rection (Alan Deveau), Marvin Eatmoe (Jason Warren), and Brad Lovett (Lance Van Der Kolk). After pulling off a gutsy prank, our group of misfits finds themselves expelled from Beavers High. However, instead of enduring the shame of expulsion, they are offered a chance to redeem themselves at the prestigious Cockswell Academy. Their induction into Cockswell Academy simmers the storyline with a great deal of humor and high-school mischief.

Cockswell Academy, run by the notoriously strict Dean Arsenault (Mike MacDonald), is an institution under a unique experiment. According to the experiment, girls and boys are taught in the same environment under minimal supervision to promote gender equality. What could be a better setup for these four, right?

As they embark upon their fresh start, their true intentions become apparent. A condition of their enrollment requires our protagonists, the loose screws, to abstain from any sexual arousal for the entire semester. The situation gets a little knotty when they are side-tracked from their path of redemption by the bevies of beauties populating the academy campus - symbolizing an oversized version of the age-old boys will be boys tale.

Their misadventures and escapades fuel all-out comedy with a sense of joyous nostalgia. The arrival at this posh academy sparks off a series of comic situations, as the boys can't help but plot harebrained plans to win over the hearts and minds of the gorgeous girls on campus. The film takes a humorous approach to the trials and tribulations of adolescence and the never-ending quest for acceptance and popularity.

As they navigate through the perils of their teenage years, these boys abide by no rules, exploit every loophole, and stretch the limits of their freedom. What follows is a problematic, daringly comedic, and often outrageous journey through the year - in the guise of a contest to defy Dean Arsenault's strict rules about abstaining from sexual arousal.

The performances of the four actors are highly engaging. Lance Van Der Kolk, Bryan Genesse, Alan Deveau, and Jason Warren adeptly handle the comedic material, blending physical comedy with witty banter. The movie is filled with over-exaggerated stereotypes of headmasters, cheerleaders, bulky jocks, and of course, the loveable, not so bright, rule-breaking protagonists.

Screwballs II: Loose Screws effortlessly evokes the atmosphere of 1980s teen comedies. Director Rafal Zielinski successfully takes advantage of the typical thematic setting and provides heaps of laughs with the audacious charades of the main characters. The laughs come thick and fast in this carefree riot of fun, which is packed with just enough silliness to make it a must-see for fans of the genre.

The inherent charm of the film lies in its uncomplicated plot and free-wheeling spirit. The screenplay utilizes the vintage 80's aesthetics, popular cultural references, and an appropriately upbeat soundtrack to set the right pace and atmosphere for the film.

In conclusion, Screwballs II: Loose Screws delivers a light-hearted, feel-good viewing experience, reminiscent of the fun-filled charm of ‘80s teen comedy flicks. Its lively blend of comedy, irreverent humor, and an engaging storyline proves entertaining and comically gratifying. It is a film that doesn’t seek to be anything beyond a barrel of laughs, offering an entertaining journey into teenhood, with all its energy, audacity, and innocence.