Jonah
From Tonga (2014/HBO DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: B- Extras: C+ Film: C
There's
One In Every School
HBO
picked up the Australian TV show Jonah From Tonga that is a
mockumentary about a rebellious 14-year-old Australian boy of Tongan
descent who had been introduced in Lilley's 2007 series Summer
Heights High. At the conclusion of that series, Jonah was
expelled from Summer Heights High, which is where this one picks up.
This
sequel series has been a ratings disaster and even had some canceled
theatrical screenings. In all honestly, it didn't do much for me.
Jonah is a foul-mouthed brat with no respect for anyone. Nobody
really likes him except for a few friends at school that are in a way
his groupies. It's pretty apparent to me that Jonah is gonna end up
behind bars once he gets a little older!
In
Episode 1, Banished to Tonga to live with his uncle, 14-year-old
Jonah is causing more trouble than ever. His dad takes him back to
Australia to start a new life but he quickly forms a new school gang
and it's not long till trouble starts. In Episode 2, Jonah and the
Fobba-liscious boys are forced to meet with youth worker Kool Kris
after making bully videos. But when Jonah's brother is picked on, he
gathers Year 7 rangas and attempts to make the ultimate bully video.
Episode
3, While grounded Jonah and the 'Fobba-liscious' boys escape and go
bowling. Their counseling session with Kool Kris leads to the boys
taking part in the 'Feel Da Beat' song competition. In Episode 4,
After a crazy day at school, Jonah and the boys embark on their
biggest, most dangerous mission yet but their plans backfire in a
massive way. Episode 5, Jonah's harsh new surrounds bring new
opponents and some unexpected allies. But the pressure is mounting
on family, fame and friendship.
And
finally Episode 6, Jonah entertains his mates with all his stories of
prison life but will Jonah still find himself behind bars with other
bad boys or will he prove he can be a real man? Approx running time
for the six episodes are 180 minutes.
The
mockumentary style leaves us with a gritty looking transfer that is a
little cloudy and grainy - as if it were shot on bad video. While
this was probably the intention of the filmmakers, the standard
definition transfer could definitely use some more detail, which may
be improved with a high def upgrade. Even if this was the look they
are going for, it's still pretty yucky looking despite being
anamorphically enhanced at 1.78 X 1. The sound mix is a standard,
lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track.
The
only extra is over an hour of deleted scenes, but you can read more
about Lilley's shows Angry Boys and We Can Be Heroes,
reviewed elsewhere on this site.
All
in all, this is a throwaway series that isn't really that funny.
It's almost as if the writers were inspired by Sacha Baron-Cohen and
wanted to make a movie.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
