Like most of you, I'm a big fan of the Mighty Boosh. Because of this, I was very keen to see director Paul King's latest project which featured cameos of my two favorite men, Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt. At first, I was a little perplexed as to why the two unknown leads were cast as Stephen and Bunny, when they looked exactly like Noel and Julian. I was also under the impression that they were 'The Flighty Zeus', which I now know is only half true. Another impression I had was that this film would be absolutely hilarious. Although I wasn't expecting much apart from a few laughs and a few cameos what I got out of this film was so much more.
As the film begins, we are introduced to a character known as Stephen, who hasn't left his flat in over a year. Due to a rodent infestation, Stephen is forced to leave the flat, but not before retelling the tale of how he became so housebound. Using various objects around the house with special appearances made by Bunny, he tells the story of when the two of them traveled around Europe. Through the use of stop motion animation and amazing special effects, we travel back a year.
The story provides a great deal of humor with a number of 'laugh out loud' moments. The cameos from Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt and Richard Ayaode are hilarious and yet, they never manage to outshine the leads. Previously unknown, Edward Hogg and Simon Farnaby bring something to the script that I don't think even the Boosh boys could manage. They are the heart and soul of the movie, and when you learn their story, your heart breaks.
Throughout the film, I was in amazement at how original the idea was, how beautiful the effects were, despite such a low budget. I was also giggling non stop just at the thought of Julian or Noel in those crazy costumes. Then suddenly, as the film draws to an end, Bunny decides he must prove himself to Stephen by challenging a bull. Bunny takes off and Stephen follows him. 'Where did this all come from?' I found myself asking. Suddenly a beautiful clockwork bull charges at Bunny and directly spears him in the chest. He drops to the ground, my stomach drops as well. Stephen sits in the empty field next to Bunny's body and I find tears streaming down my face.
The film then flashes back to Stephen in the apartment, for after all, this has just been a story he's been telling. We learn why he is so housebound, why he's been afraid to leave the house. Finally, with a few encouraging words from Bunny, who we find out, wasn't really there in the flat with him at all, Stephen gets his courage and leaves the house.
What a beautiful bitter sweet story he has just told.
As the film begins, we are introduced to a character known as Stephen, who hasn't left his flat in over a year. Due to a rodent infestation, Stephen is forced to leave the flat, but not before retelling the tale of how he became so housebound. Using various objects around the house with special appearances made by Bunny, he tells the story of when the two of them traveled around Europe. Through the use of stop motion animation and amazing special effects, we travel back a year.
The story provides a great deal of humor with a number of 'laugh out loud' moments. The cameos from Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt and Richard Ayaode are hilarious and yet, they never manage to outshine the leads. Previously unknown, Edward Hogg and Simon Farnaby bring something to the script that I don't think even the Boosh boys could manage. They are the heart and soul of the movie, and when you learn their story, your heart breaks.
Throughout the film, I was in amazement at how original the idea was, how beautiful the effects were, despite such a low budget. I was also giggling non stop just at the thought of Julian or Noel in those crazy costumes. Then suddenly, as the film draws to an end, Bunny decides he must prove himself to Stephen by challenging a bull. Bunny takes off and Stephen follows him. 'Where did this all come from?' I found myself asking. Suddenly a beautiful clockwork bull charges at Bunny and directly spears him in the chest. He drops to the ground, my stomach drops as well. Stephen sits in the empty field next to Bunny's body and I find tears streaming down my face.
The film then flashes back to Stephen in the apartment, for after all, this has just been a story he's been telling. We learn why he is so housebound, why he's been afraid to leave the house. Finally, with a few encouraging words from Bunny, who we find out, wasn't really there in the flat with him at all, Stephen gets his courage and leaves the house.
What a beautiful bitter sweet story he has just told.