Eddie Deezen you magnificent bastard! Hollywood never did come close to fully utilizing this remarkably nerdy actors full potential or talent, nor his singular screen presence. But rest assured it's with the epic comedy "Surf 2" from 1983 that they came their closest, as it is easily Eddie's best movie and a real treasure for Deezen fans and all fan's of 80's cornball cinema. Every single aspect of this ridiculous, somewhat scatter-brained comedy is distinctively and unmistakably 80's in nature and it's ONLY in the 80's when movies like Surf 2 were made. As some other reviewers have stated, this charming slice of celluloid boasts a "strange intensity" that few other comedies possess (film snobs would say that that's a good thing, but boo-hoo to them!) and they'd be correct as this movie, for the most part, is fast paced and riotous from the get go. "Coke-fueled madness from the 80's" is yet another amusing quote, which is probably accurate when speaking of the rampant lunacy that is Surf 2!
Surf 2 is a strange and scatter-brained comedic hybrid, being both a "beach movie" as well as a "mad scientist movie" and that's the part where Eddie Deezen comes in, he's an evil, vengeful "wizard" named Menlo Schwartzer, who wants his revenge against the local surfers. So what else is there to do other than to concoct "Buzzz Cola" which is central to this movies.... plot, if you're comfortable using such a word when describing the wildly zany shenanigans of Surf 2. To further his plan, Menlo uses (as a surfer-boy bait) a lovely young blonde hottie (Australian actress Linda Kerridge) to lure them into his madness, Menlo's Madness - which happens to be under the sea. "Given the evidence I think even eggplant could've figured that one out".
Some may be surprised by the R-rating that this utterly harmless and feather-weight comedy tote's. That's no doubt due to it's heavy T & A factor, because throughout this film there are numerous shots of hot topless beach beauties frolicking about the beach, plus there are a few F-Bombs dropped here and there and some other naughty words. I suppose it isn't suitable for viewers under the age of 12 - but if your kids are any older than that... please.
Blaring throughout it's duration is a loud and boisterous soundtrack that's a combination of Dick Dale, The Beach Boys, Oingo Boingo and many other artists, mostly from the early 80's if I'm not mistaken. The movies carefully picked tunes only serve to enhance the vibe of this cornball movie, in the form of a perpetual undercurrent of sleaze and tastelessness - not at all unlike what the soundtrack for "The Wraith" (see review) does for that movie; but one things for sure, in both cases their loud n' rockin' soundtracks really do quicken the pace of these movies - both of which are gems of the 80's.
And another thing, if you like the comedy "Joysticks" (an even better movie!) released just months earlier, then you should love Surf 2 as well, as their both VERY much cut from the same cloth, right down to the casting, because in at least a few cases it's the SAME cast.
Yep Surf 2, a movie of absolute pure-nonsense, simply rules if you just turn off your brain when watching it, because big fun is to be had - if you will let yourself.
To re-cap: This is definitely Eddie Deezen's best work, as the evil-nerd-wizard "Menlo Scwartzer" - the proud inventor/wunderkind of Buzzz Cola!
Surf 2 = A-Rate Cinematic Cheese. (Oh and just to be clear, there is no Surf 1 or Surf 3, so don't bother).
