WFG RATING: A

Touchstone Pictures presents a Keynote Films production. Directed by Gray Hofmeyr. Produced by Helena Spring. Written by Leon Schuster and Gray Hofmeyr. Cinematography by Trevor A. Brown. Edited by Alan Hynes and Johan Venter.

Stars Leon Schuster, Kenneth Nkosi, Tanit Phoenix, Alfred Ntombela, Anthony Bishop, Nompumelelo Mayiyane, and Trevor Noah.  

South Africa’s King of Comedy, Leon Schuster, teams up with Kenneth Nkosi with their chemistry the highlight of this slapstick comedy.

A park ranger, Boetie de Wett, is investigating the possibility of poachers at a local park when Beast Buthelezi loses control of his car due to no brakes. When Boetie and Beast meet, they instantly find themselves enemies. After a freak accident leaves Boetie without a big toe, things seem to be okay until they meet again at a wedding and end up arrested after making a scene.

At the wedding is television producer Kelsey, who has an idea for a new show.  She bails out Boetie and Beast and gives them a challenge. They are to go on a road trip by foot to Barryville with only 200 rand each in their pockets. If they complete the walk, they will each make 10,000 rand. However, unbeknownst to them, Kelsey is using the challenge as a new reality TV show, which draws the ire of the local Minister of Communications as well as the President. However, what will happen if Boetie and Beast learn about Kelsey’s plans?

Leon Schuster is to South Africa to the likes of the Marx Brothers, Jerry Lewis, and even Rodney Dangerfield in the United States. He is the King of Comedy known for his prank and slapstick style comedy. This film has two rivals, one Afrikaner and one Zulu, forced to attempt to be “buddies” for a challenge. However, the film’s concept is meant to have a gag reel of slapstick and pranking on the part of both Schuster and Kenneth Nkosi, thanks in part of their chemistry.

Tanit Phoenix, who appeared in DTV sequels The Lost Boys: The Thirst and Death Race 2, plays the unscrupulous Kelsey, who will do anything to get her show off the ground and it becomes a massive success much to the chagrin of Minister of Communications Mda, hilariously played by Alfred Ntombela. Mda has a massive running gag where after getting reamed out by the President or confronting Kelsey, he ends up getting physically hurt in every scene, which shows the level of comedy we have here. Look out for a young Trevor Noah as a bookie in the film.

The gags of the film are loads of fun. Films that come to mind with some of the gags are The Gods Must Be Crazy, The Gods Must Be Crazy II, Police Academy, and a very memorable scene that brings The Hangover to mind. This scene happens when Boetie and Beast, showing signs of finally getting along, drink a bottle of Mescaline alcohol and they do some crazy things and not remember upon waking up the next day not remembering a thing. The final scene, involving an ostrich and Mda with our “buddies”, is such a laugh out loud fest that it’s clear this is one of those movies that need to be seen if you need a good laugh.

Mad Buddies is a fun, slapstick and prank comedy that is highlighted not only by its gags, but the chemistry of leads Leon Schuster and Kenneth Nkosi is the heart of the film. If you need a good laugh, this South African gem is one to see!