Being Scottish, this movie definately resonated with me. Dodgy spiked weed, a hugely divisive social class system, and magic mushrooms - we got it all! Its part of that genre of movies Surviving The Game belonged to. Its a genre with a number of recent examples, this one being my favourite. It really feels like a Scottish movie. Reminds me a bit of Bad Taste or The Wicker Man (original title), those homegrown genre movies made with a vibe of the local people producing them, rather than a big budget hollywood group coming in and trying to do it for them. DJ Beetroot was a highlight; so may disinfranchised young asian lads aspiring towards rap in the city of Edinburgh these days, that really struck a cord. The take on the mushroom trip was funny and kinda accurate, as far as I remember from taking them as a young lad. Its a rite of passage, part of being Scottish. The ending also really worked for me, all round a great wee movie, its very funny.
80 Reviews
Surreal and wild ... but laugh out loud funny
andyge20 June 2019
This film was the opening gala for the Edinburgh Film Festival and definitely deserved the accolade. Quirky and experimental it has many laugh out loud moments in a truly original spin on the old story of city boys surviving in the wild.The director and writer Ninian Doff has a rare original talent and is definitely someone to watch. You can see his music video influences throughout the film giving it a fresh and pacey vibe. A very talented British cast make the most of the heddy mix of horror and outrageous comedy with Kate Dickie and James Cosmo standouts along with the 4 newcomers playing the boys. Surreal and wild this film has an energy that will make you feel you are on a drug induced high. Highly recommended.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something wild
linkogecko1 July 2019
The sort of films that get called "anarchic" have to strike a tricky balance, often when it's clear the cast and crew were having as much fun as possible MAKING a movie, the actual result gets lost and the audience ends up watching a rambling, aimless and pointless collection of footage. If the balance is struck however, we can end up with a blast of a film that entertains the viewers at least as much as the filmmakers were entertained making it. Thankfully, "Boyz in the Wood" gets it so, so right.
The closest reference of what one could expect coming into this movie is Taika Waititi's brilliant hit "Hunt for the Wilderpeople". Like the NZ film, here we have a showcase of the rugged scenery of the country (the Scottish Highlands in this case) serving as the backdrop for a crazy story involving too-urban-for-the-bush, hip-hop obsessed, cursing teens and overzealous, bored police, along with other random characters that are more set-ups for the next punchline and crazy plot point than they are "real people living in their world" (and there's nothing wrong with that). There's some "Hot Fuzz" (and general Edgar Wright-ness) thrown in for good measure what with its very exaggerated conflict of old and traditional British values and the new generations taken to the extreme and the "big-budget Hollywood flair in small-budget Britain" attitude. Ridiculous psychotropic imagery that is the natural step after the cartoony drug sequences of "21/22 Jump Street" finishes off the cocktail.
If this review comes off as more of a list of references than an analysis of the film, that is because this is not the kind of movie that invites that depth of thought (although like with all forms of art, if you dig you'll find, and there's plenty to dig here with the very old-fashioned villains chasing our young protagonists, echoes of young Scots' ever-stronger desire for independence resounding through the glen, but... meh). This ride is wild, hilarious, brave in its indifference to convention and best when served cold, without too clear an idea what to expect. The previous references are little more than an "if you enjoyed these titles, we suggest the following" algorithm, if you DID enjoy the previous titles, you definitely want be in the hunt for this new game.
P.S., while the soundtrack is brilliant, I must say that for a hip-hop-heavy, Scottish film, this was sadly light on Young Fathers and thus one of the reasons for the just-less-than-perfect score.
The closest reference of what one could expect coming into this movie is Taika Waititi's brilliant hit "Hunt for the Wilderpeople". Like the NZ film, here we have a showcase of the rugged scenery of the country (the Scottish Highlands in this case) serving as the backdrop for a crazy story involving too-urban-for-the-bush, hip-hop obsessed, cursing teens and overzealous, bored police, along with other random characters that are more set-ups for the next punchline and crazy plot point than they are "real people living in their world" (and there's nothing wrong with that). There's some "Hot Fuzz" (and general Edgar Wright-ness) thrown in for good measure what with its very exaggerated conflict of old and traditional British values and the new generations taken to the extreme and the "big-budget Hollywood flair in small-budget Britain" attitude. Ridiculous psychotropic imagery that is the natural step after the cartoony drug sequences of "21/22 Jump Street" finishes off the cocktail.
If this review comes off as more of a list of references than an analysis of the film, that is because this is not the kind of movie that invites that depth of thought (although like with all forms of art, if you dig you'll find, and there's plenty to dig here with the very old-fashioned villains chasing our young protagonists, echoes of young Scots' ever-stronger desire for independence resounding through the glen, but... meh). This ride is wild, hilarious, brave in its indifference to convention and best when served cold, without too clear an idea what to expect. The previous references are little more than an "if you enjoyed these titles, we suggest the following" algorithm, if you DID enjoy the previous titles, you definitely want be in the hunt for this new game.
P.S., while the soundtrack is brilliant, I must say that for a hip-hop-heavy, Scottish film, this was sadly light on Young Fathers and thus one of the reasons for the just-less-than-perfect score.
Funny and heartfelt
evitajuliadepauw27 January 2020
Saw this during the International film festival in Rotterdam. It has all the qualities I love. Compelling characters, campy writing, funny jokes and just a sprinkle of social commentary that made it just a bit funnier without being overbearing. Would watch it again if I could. Definitely recommended!
Loved it
Golightly67812 September 2020
Had low expectations, had me rolling in laughter
maxgrayson29 September 2020
I went in to this not expecting much, and knowing it's not exactly high brow humor, but I completely underestimated it. Absolutely hilarious, and gets better as it goes. I can't remember the last time I was genuinely trying to catch my breath from laughing so hard. 100% recommend if you're in the mood for a silly movies.
The Duke abides.
Pjtaylor-96-13804413 September 2020
With an undercurrent that explores class issues and generational divides, 'Get Duked! (2020)' sees four schoolboys become stranded in the Scottish Highlands, chased by homicidal cultists as they attempt to complete the much-coveted 'Duke of Edinburgh' award. The flick balances humour with horror, leaning heavily towards the former but always respecting the latter. There are no real scares in the thing but it doesn't really matter; no-one should really expect existential terror, grotesque body horror or, even, plain old jump scares in a piece such as this. Unfortunately, there aren't any real laughs, either. Don't get me wrong, there are chuckles peppered throughout. Plus, the flick is generally affable and energetic enough that it isn't heavily impacted by its lack of high-calibre comedy. It's an enjoyable experience that sometimes satisfyingly subverts audience expectation. It's a decent effort. 6/10
Soundtrack alone is reason enough to check this out!
Polnaszek528 August 2020
Boyz in the Wood (yes I'm gonna refer to it as that, deserves that dignity) goes from 0 to 110% gradually getting and better as it goes, so infectiously fun with how many genres it helms and inventively mixes. That rap sequence is just something else! Effectively crafting something wholly original despite being obviously inspired from other established works.
Just a great time, go watch it and if you got Prime at the disposal.
Just a great time, go watch it and if you got Prime at the disposal.
Slow-burner
StudleyDave29 August 2020
Like a marriage between League of Gentlemen, Psychoville and Sightseers, with a sprinkling of Four Lions, it's a smart dumb stoner comedy from a scattershot, twisted amateur with a laminated certificate
Be warned - it takes most of the film to reach the above conclusion. Up to that point, you wouldn't be wrong in saying it misses the mark. It has a familiar feeling, with nothing new to bring to comedy-horror, but its young cast act well, and add to a slow-burning story
Be warned - it takes most of the film to reach the above conclusion. Up to that point, you wouldn't be wrong in saying it misses the mark. It has a familiar feeling, with nothing new to bring to comedy-horror, but its young cast act well, and add to a slow-burning story
Fun movie
DaDonatello30 August 2020
Partial stupid funny, partial spoof, with some outdoor adventure elements all thrown together for a fairly entertaining movie. It has all the typical elements of a comedy so nothing very original, but I really enjoyed the outdoor setting and acting.
Great fun.
bassist_dave3 August 2020
Underrated
rynecortez19 September 2020
Derivative rubbish
mail-9672731 August 2020
Funny 🤣
jimmy-5562718 September 2020
Very funny!
sarahh-5387729 August 2020
Wicked fun
luke-6152129 August 2020
So sad
thekindred-7389629 August 2020
So much potential here. Could have genuinely been a great campy coming of age horror/thriller. Some of the film I legitimately enjoyed, but the "hip hop" premise/bit was just worthless and took away from any chance of this being worth watching.
It breaks in and breaks up so much. It also wastes so time in the film that could have been put to better use with the characters and definitely the plot.
If the creator/director thought "OMG IM GUNNA B O RIGINAL! I SUCH EDGE LORRRDDDD!" No you were not you just cranked out another cinema meat grinder flop and wasted money and planetary resources that could have made at least a slightly decent piece of cinema.
If the creator/director thought "OMG IM GUNNA B O RIGINAL! I SUCH EDGE LORRRDDDD!" No you were not you just cranked out another cinema meat grinder flop and wasted money and planetary resources that could have made at least a slightly decent piece of cinema.
Disappointing
kingshilow30 September 2019
Not that funny
eddieboj28 August 2020
Genuinely not that funny. Was hopeful of a good comedy horror but was more like watching kids tv.
If you like poo jokes, obvious humour and hammy acting it might be for you, but there's literally nothing below the surface. Disappointing.
If you like poo jokes, obvious humour and hammy acting it might be for you, but there's literally nothing below the surface. Disappointing.
So much fun
UniqueParticle11 November 2020
An expedition of sorts to get an award turns into a silly good time, dealing with a group of crazies and some drug delight partying. The music is legendary, the bizarre effects are so cool, the cast is awesome, and the entertainment value is superb! I didn't expect to enjoy Get Duked as much as I did; it's a blast of wild entertainment!
DJ Beatroots Get Duked is THE song of 2020
matthewssilverhammer18 October 2020
Get Duked! is so funny, stylish & consistent with its satire, I can't imagine it not becoming a cult hit, one where a group of pals can gather around the TV on an October night & have a good time. Like Shaun of the Dead meets Tucker & Dale, or Midsommar but the disturbia is replaced with broad comedy. Classic conflicts: urban vs. rural, young vs. old, rich vs. poor. It's such a shoe-in for "cult hit", it feels almost constructed to be that. Regardless, it rules.
had potential but was really bad
synergieliebe29 August 2020
Nope
mrnerdymcgee28 August 2020
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
