REVIEW SINGAPOREAN FILM : I NOT STUPID TOO 2

I NOT STUPID TOO 2

            The film is about satirical comedy on the difficult relationships parents have with their children today. Set in Singapore's fast-paced society, the movie is seen through the eyes of an eight year old Jerry Yeo (Ashley Leong), unveiling how he and his older brother Tom Yeo (Shawn Lee),  face the pressures of school and demands of their wealthy but ever-bickering parents and how Tom's friend Lim Chengcai (Joshua Ang) is often misunderstood by his teacher at school and his single widower father. Tom is technologically inclined and a talented blogger, while Jerry enjoys the performing arts and has the lead role in his school concert. Mr. and Mrs. Yeo's busy schedules give them little time to spend with their children, leading to a strained relationship. With his mother absent, Chengcai was raised by his ex-convict father whose fighting skills he inherited.

                Tom and Chengcai join a local street gang. As their initiation, they are forced to shoplift an iPod. However, they are caught by two fake police with connections to the street gang posing as police detectives, who demand that they pay the fine $2000 within two days or be arrested. Jerry, who wants his parents to come to his school concert, starts saving money and eventually resorts to stealing. After he is caught, his furious father canes him, but forgave him when the boy explains that he wanted $500 to "buy" an hour of his father's time. This prompts Mr. and Mrs. Yeo (Jack Neo and Xiang Yun) to read Tom's blog and realize how unappreciated and alienated their children feel.

            Unable to raise $2000 themselves, Tom and Chengcai rob an old lady of her necklace, but regret their action and try to return it to her. A struggle occurs, and Chengcai bumps into several gangsters, while Tom's mobile phone falls out of his pocket as he is tackled by vicious vigilantes. The phone accidentally calling Mr. Yeo, who is doing a presentation in his office. He rushes off to the scene and pleads the old lady to give Tom a second chance. When the police arrive, she tells them she made a prank call. Two days later, Mr. Yeo meets the fake police and gives them thousands of dollars of hell money; the fake police are then arrested by real police officers. Having finally understood their children, the Yeo parents watch Jerry's concert, much to his delight. Later, the gangsters whom Chengcai bumped into earlier beat him up. Mr. Lim (Huang Yiliang), who happens to be nearby, tries to protect his son, but suffers head trauma after being pushed down the stairs. He is taken to a hospital, critically injured. On his deathbed, Mr. Lim tells Chengcai that he loves him and that he should pursue his talent for fighting. The boy eventually becomes an internationally recognised martial artist.

            Written based on some of teenagers real-life, this story will stir you to your emoticonal core while bringing out good communication between parents and children, and appreciation for good work.

            There are lot of litte things and big things that make this movie worth watching. The story is good, the relationships between the characters are great, and critical reception was also generally positive. While some of the jokes are amusing, some of the fights go on a few bit too long.

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