Kevin and Perry Go Large

There is a whole subculture of British comedy that generally goes overlooked outside its home, other than in "alternative" circles. Whilst comedians the likes of Reeves & Mortimer and Newman & Baddiel have been able to pack out stadium gigs in their native Britain, such success has generally been elusive elsewhere - Harry Enfield is another such example. Kevin and Perry Go Large is a double-barrelled title, in that it gives a nod to their transition from a regular sketch on the Harry Enfield and Chums TV show to the big screen, as well as claiming the club vernacular the likes of "kickin' it large" (cringe!) that has crept into the mainstream the past few years, and that features substantially within this film.

Kevin (Enfield) and his best friend (or "brother DJ") Perry (played brilliantly by Kathy Burke, who endured what must have been incredibly painful binding of her rather ample bosom for the entirety of this film) are two virginal teenage losers with permanent "stiffies" - in all the types that are basically perfect advertisements for contraception. Their aim in life? To become successful DJs, and to "do it" (if I have to spell that out, all they wanna do is shag). The fact that they are completely inept twats is the only thing standing in their way - sadly for them this factor is bigger than even that huge obelisk thingy in 2001.

They decide that the answer to their prayers is a trip to the shag-monster capital of the world, Ibiza (yes, the island featured in the train-wreck TV show The Villa), however after a dismal report card the holiday is off - so what are a couple of utter twats to do? Left to earn their fares themselves, fate/convenient scriptwriting sees them foiling a bank robbery (in rather FNARR-like style), scoring such a reward that they can afford fares, and enough bangin' gear to be the hippest of the hip (ahem). They fly off (on Virgin, of course), hit the island and proceed to do all within their power to avoid Kevin's parents (who are "doing it" far too much for their liking) cramping their stylee…

Falling for two twatettes, Candice and Gemma, Kevin and Perry set out to impress, courting the favour of hip DJ Eyeball Paul (played with great gusto by Notting Hill's Rhys Ifans) - who strings them along for a bit of fun as they are desperate to gain cool points by association and for him to hear and approve of their mixes (some wonderfully vicious stabs are made at the whole cult of the DJ here - and not before time, too). The shag-quest continues - will twat conquer bigger twat? You'll have to find out for yourself...

It is so pleasing to see that Village Roadshow don’t discriminate between perceived blockbusters or lack lustres, as once again they are to be congratulated for another wonderful transfer. Yes there's the very occasional spot that pops up, but to be honest there are more on Candice and Gemma's faces than I witnessed throughout the entire movie.

With its many transitions between bleak UK skies, sunny Ibiza settings and dazzling clubby lighting shows you could be forgiven for expecting colour problems to pop up, however the disc handles it all brilliantly, maintaining superb colour and contrast balances throughout, and all in a neat little anamorphically enhanced package, too.

In all this is definitely a totally non, non, non-pants transfer. Well wicked!

A great balance has been achieved between dialogue levels and DOOF-factor here, with the surround channels springing to glorious life in the many club scenes, giving you that lovely 'it's as if you're there' immersion. Other than that the odd spot effect brings the extra speakers into the fray, whilst avoiding the oft-come across "oops, I'd better consider the neighbours" concerns that many films that flip-flop between loud and quiet cause (well, for those who aren't complete wankers I guess...)

As confirmed by the commentary, Enfield is quite the club music buff, and to this end as may very well be expected the film's soundtrack is chock-full of bangin' and pumpin' house choons from the likes of Fatboy Slim, Underworld and Groove Armada, overseen by trendy DJ Judge Jules. There is also the odd curly one thrown in just to keep you pondering, for instance a very brief cameo from The Birthday Party (Nick Cave's stomping ground many moons ago) with their fabulous Release the Bats, and even the Bacharach/David classic The Look of Love (the accompanying scene for which is just priceless).

I wouldn’t have thought a release such as this would have been seen as cause for an extras frenzy, but hey we can all be wrong sometimes. Jam-packed with bits and pieces of varying quality, starting with an animated and DOOF-infested intro (that is skippable if desired - YAY!) more congratulations are due for this fine effort. Here's a rundown of what's on offer…

Commentary: By writer and star Harry Enfield, co-writer David Cummings and director Ed Bye, this scene-specific commentary is often funny, informative and even delves occasionally into the that's-a-little-more-information-than-we-needed-to-know box. Sparse at times, it is still enjoyable, and a pleasant change from the stiffer-than-a-priest's-collar commentaries that we are so often presented with.

Interviews: Around 18 minutes of rather harshly cut full frame interview snippets with the stars and director, this is certainly well worth a watch. It is however a bit annoying the way it has static and silentâ„¢ screens introducing each fragment (as some run for mere seconds), as it chops into the sound on entering the next bit. This is but a minor quibble though. Video quality is OK, albeit a bit shimmery.

Teaser trailer: In full frame and done as a Blair Witch Project pastiche, this is short, sharp and rather amusing.

Theatrical Trailer: Rather dingy, and also full frame, this gives more of an idea what the film is about - and is the type that should be enough to let anybody know whether they should see the film, or simply avoid it like the plague. It's all done without giving too many of the money-laughs away, too.

Ibiza Dance Master Class: A whole one-minute lesson in emulating the likes of 'big fish little fish', 'stacking shelves' and 'making boxes'. It's by far more Play School than Arthur Murray, but if you're E'd off your head you do have to keep it simple I guess.

Secrets of the Floater: A very brief (two minutes) look at some of the 'special' effects used to bring the many poo, puke and pus scenes within the film to the screen in all their icky glory.

The Unfair World of Kevin and Perry: A full frame, six-minute featurette that isn’t overly exciting.

Kevin's Guide to Being a Teenager: Saving the best for last, this is almost an hour of highlights from the Kevin and Perry sketches featured in the Harry Enfield and Chums TV shows. Strung together by a very well done faux-video game screen, featuring Kevin all a-wobble with arms dangling (fans of Mortal Kombat should raise a smile) this is almost as long as the entire film, and close to worth getting the disc for in itself.

When I first saw this advertised on TV last year, following in the fetid wake of the celluloid excrement that was Guest House Paradiso, the 'AVOID!' light in my brain went into hyperdrive. When it came up for review though the 'perversely interested' light took over, and I must say that in the end I'm glad it did - this is definitely one of those films that you find yourself giggling at against what may be considered your own better judgement.

Kevin and Perry Go Large is so far removed from high-art it's scary (to state the incredibly obvious), however that is actually a huge part of what is so enjoyable about it, as well as some of the performances here that are absolutely fantastic - Kathy Burke stealing most any scene she's in for starters. Director Ed Bye (Red Dwarf, Girls on Top, Bottom) should also be given credit for keeping what could so easily have fallen apart completely together. Some of the absolutely grossest scenes ever put to film are interspersed throughout - we get the works here folks. From an altogether ickier extension of the Caddyshack poo joke, to copious amounts of puke, to pimple pus to fetid belly-button piercings - it's all here to marvel at in glorious colour.

I could sit hear click-clacking away all hoighty-toitily about how morally bankrupt such gross-out comedies can be, what little redeeming social values they display blahblahblah, but then I'd be on the same level as those who reach for the smelling salts at the mere utterance of the word "bum" (BUM! BUM! BUM!!!) - and if I ever get there I dearly hope somebody will have the compassion to turn off the life support machine.

The distinction here in my eyes is that this is both a cleverly and knowingly silly film, rather than a just plain dumb one. It is decidedly British (a compliment), has the requisite catch-phrases ("That is SO unfair!") and whilst certainly not destined for classic status is well worth checking out if you too are a fan of such "alternative" comedy. Needless to say those who find the likes of To the Manor Born or Birds of a Feather (shudder!) uproariously hilarious need not apply...

As a disc it has been given the full treatment, is great value (the extras making up for the rather limited 80 minute running time of the feature), and puts many bigger releases to shame in the care that has obviously been taken in its assembly.

For a bit of silly, childish and utterly enjoyable puerility you would be hard-pressed to beat this. Rinsin'!