Schuks Tshabalala's Survival Guide to South Africa, directed by Gray Hofmeyr, is the latest movie with the comedy team of Leon Schuster and Alfred Ntombela, and I must say, I like the duo. They both lend something to the picture, although Leon does most of the pranking.
In fact, I wonder how often Leon Schuster's movies get called by their real names, and how often they just get called "the new Schuster".
Piggybacking on the soccer world cup madness, the movie takes the format of a guide for foreign tourists coming to SA, with Schuks (Leon's character) and Alfred being the presenters and tour guides.
The pranks are slotted in where ever slightly relevant to the fake tourist's question (Such as "what about unemployment?" - cue awkward situations for potential job applicants). These segments - the fake tour guide and tourist 101 - are the least enjoyable part of the movie. The acting and the accents from the "tourists" left me cold.
The pranks, however, were hilarious. After so many years of this type of movie, the pranks constantly have to get stepped up. Many of these verge on the absolutely ridiculous, which gets the best reactions from the unsuspecting victims.
Schuster's make-up has gotten much better (although many disguises still look waxy and emotionless) which is necessary because otherwise he would get recognised a lot more.
By no means the best comedy ever, but if you're in the mood for some silly laughs with a South African flavour (and Alfred Ntombela's impression of Julius Malema), check it out from this Friday, 28 May 2010.
