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.
96 Reviews
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
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
Not meant for everyone!
SoumikBanerjee19966 November 2020
From its very provenance, "Get Duked" knows where its strengths lie. A horror comedy at its core; representing an unconventional filmmaking. A supercharged, unorthodox ride that's not meant for everyone.
An endearing adventure comprising a bunch of erratic teenagers & some elderly lunatics looking around to 'Hunt'. Trust me; It gets as interesting as it sounds!
Filmed around the Scottish borders, entirely in a mountain region; the backdrop was absolutely gorgeous. Deluged with vibrancy; every shot admittedly looked picturesque. An arresting set of imagery coupled with Hip-hop heavy soundtrack that did compliment its funky & quite bizarre style of editing.
A set of fair enough performances, devoid of any requisite character establishments. Half baked humour, occassionally shining through! Though looking at the type of film it is; that would suffice. The storyline might not be the strongest suit here, but the execution must be lauded for the absurdities it so impassionedly personifies!
An endearing adventure comprising a bunch of erratic teenagers & some elderly lunatics looking around to 'Hunt'. Trust me; It gets as interesting as it sounds!
Filmed around the Scottish borders, entirely in a mountain region; the backdrop was absolutely gorgeous. Deluged with vibrancy; every shot admittedly looked picturesque. An arresting set of imagery coupled with Hip-hop heavy soundtrack that did compliment its funky & quite bizarre style of editing.
A set of fair enough performances, devoid of any requisite character establishments. Half baked humour, occassionally shining through! Though looking at the type of film it is; that would suffice. The storyline might not be the strongest suit here, but the execution must be lauded for the absurdities it so impassionedly personifies!
a welcome laugher
ferguson-627 August 2020
Greetings again from the darkness. In this time of pandemic, we may not yet have a cure for the virus, but music video director Ninian Doff serves up his first feature film as a vaccine for those who have been stuck in the house for too long. It's really a mash-up of comedy-horror-thriller-buddy film, with a dash or two of hip-hop and social satire. Mr. Doff also wrote the screenplay, and the film originally played SXSW under the title, "Boyz in the Wood."
Three friends/delinquents from school are on the verge of expulsion, and their punishment is being sent on the Duke of Edinburg adventure, a program established in 1956 with the objective of getting kids out of the city and into the country. Dean Gibson (played by Rian Gordon) is the leader of the trio, while DJ Beatroot (Viraj Duneja) dreams of becoming a star hip-hop artist, and Duncan (Lewis Gribben) mostly creates chaos at every turn. They are joined on the trip by their personality opposite, Ian (Samuel Bottomley), a home-schooled boy who actually volunteered for the trip in hopes of padding his university application.
The Scottish Highlands serve as the life-sized game board where the boys take their wilderness trek. Substitute teacher Mr. Carlyle (Jonathan Aris) hands them a map and takes a picture of the group in front of a bulletin board filled with missing kid flyers. That's just a taste of the humor that awaits. Ian is the only one treating the journey seriously, while the other three are wise-cracking, experimenting with drugs, and putting up with DJ Beatroot's meanderings about his music "career". At first, the boys are oblivious to the fact that they are being stalked (or hunted) by a couple of elites played by the always entertaining Eddie Izzard as The Duke, and his partner in crime (literally), Georgie Glen as The Duchess.
Simultaneous to this Highlands' action, we are treated to a look inside the police station where Sergeant Morag (Kate Dickie) and PC Hamish (Kevin Guthrie) generate some laughs with their excitement over hip-hop terrorist zombies in their area. They find this significantly more intriguing than "the bread thief" which was previously the number one crime to solve. At times, it's difficult to know which group is the most talented at bumbling - the boys, the rich hunters, or the police.
The Duke of Edinburg award is earned by combining "Teamwork, Orienteering, and Foraging." For this group of boys, it also involves drugs, hip-hop, and staying alive. Director Doff infuses a zany absurdity to the action, and with some of the set ups, he perhaps could have even gone further - although the bits on rabbit pellets and a fork as a weapon are to be admired. One of the songs drags on a bit too long, but mostly the creativity is fun to watch, as is the collision of teenage group dynamics, the generational clash, and the social commentary. The film is in the mode of some of Edgar Wright's best work, so if that's your style, you'll find this a treat.
Three friends/delinquents from school are on the verge of expulsion, and their punishment is being sent on the Duke of Edinburg adventure, a program established in 1956 with the objective of getting kids out of the city and into the country. Dean Gibson (played by Rian Gordon) is the leader of the trio, while DJ Beatroot (Viraj Duneja) dreams of becoming a star hip-hop artist, and Duncan (Lewis Gribben) mostly creates chaos at every turn. They are joined on the trip by their personality opposite, Ian (Samuel Bottomley), a home-schooled boy who actually volunteered for the trip in hopes of padding his university application.
The Scottish Highlands serve as the life-sized game board where the boys take their wilderness trek. Substitute teacher Mr. Carlyle (Jonathan Aris) hands them a map and takes a picture of the group in front of a bulletin board filled with missing kid flyers. That's just a taste of the humor that awaits. Ian is the only one treating the journey seriously, while the other three are wise-cracking, experimenting with drugs, and putting up with DJ Beatroot's meanderings about his music "career". At first, the boys are oblivious to the fact that they are being stalked (or hunted) by a couple of elites played by the always entertaining Eddie Izzard as The Duke, and his partner in crime (literally), Georgie Glen as The Duchess.
Simultaneous to this Highlands' action, we are treated to a look inside the police station where Sergeant Morag (Kate Dickie) and PC Hamish (Kevin Guthrie) generate some laughs with their excitement over hip-hop terrorist zombies in their area. They find this significantly more intriguing than "the bread thief" which was previously the number one crime to solve. At times, it's difficult to know which group is the most talented at bumbling - the boys, the rich hunters, or the police.
The Duke of Edinburg award is earned by combining "Teamwork, Orienteering, and Foraging." For this group of boys, it also involves drugs, hip-hop, and staying alive. Director Doff infuses a zany absurdity to the action, and with some of the set ups, he perhaps could have even gone further - although the bits on rabbit pellets and a fork as a weapon are to be admired. One of the songs drags on a bit too long, but mostly the creativity is fun to watch, as is the collision of teenage group dynamics, the generational clash, and the social commentary. The film is in the mode of some of Edgar Wright's best work, so if that's your style, you'll find this a treat.
If you're gonna rip off someone rip off the best
dickchenny2 October 2020
This movie is very derivative of Edgar Wright, and Taika Waititi, but it has a great sense of humour and fun group of characters. There were elements that annoyed me and huge conveniences but honestly some of them just added to the humour. I can't stress enough how great the humour in the movie is though there were some absolutely great laughs to be had and if you want a fun movie watching experience I totally recommend get duked.
I don't even know.
anthonylawrence-1125431 March 2021
Decided to watch it on the off chance I was wrong about the trailer.
Do you have ADD? Are you between the ages of 7 and 15? Do you have nothing better to watch? Then you would love this movie. It's trash, but if you want some trash to throw on while you scroll a soul sucking social media, then this is for you.
Do you have ADD? Are you between the ages of 7 and 15? Do you have nothing better to watch? Then you would love this movie. It's trash, but if you want some trash to throw on while you scroll a soul sucking social media, then this is for you.
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.
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.
Smart gem from Scotland
roger-99-17159929 August 2020
Steer clear of this embarrassingly poor movie
Freedom_Denied4 February 2021
I'm starting to write this review two thirds of the way through watching this film and I have cringed all the way so far. It's only because I'm so angry at having been misled by the ratings into giving it a go that I'm determined to watch the rest of it - I will give a fair appraisal having seen it in its entirety.
Ok, finished. I may have given this film a 2/10 star rating and that's being generous - there is quite a decent fun piece of music playing during the end credits but even that was spoiled by the inane content of the rapping over it. However, I feel it's my civic duty to lower my score to 1/10 just to counter the lies that constitute the publicity around this pile of excrement.
Don't believe the hyped-up high scores here and and elsewhere - this is an embarrassingly poor movie. I won't go into the myriad reasons it's as bad as it is because that would mean wasting more of my time and mental energy on something so lame that I just want to forget it as soon as possible. Truly awful - avoid.
Ok, finished. I may have given this film a 2/10 star rating and that's being generous - there is quite a decent fun piece of music playing during the end credits but even that was spoiled by the inane content of the rapping over it. However, I feel it's my civic duty to lower my score to 1/10 just to counter the lies that constitute the publicity around this pile of excrement.
Don't believe the hyped-up high scores here and and elsewhere - this is an embarrassingly poor movie. I won't go into the myriad reasons it's as bad as it is because that would mean wasting more of my time and mental energy on something so lame that I just want to forget it as soon as possible. Truly awful - avoid.
welcome to Scotland
chrislawuk29 August 2020
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.
6.6/10. Recommended
athanasiosze1 October 2022
1) If you wanna enjoy this movie, lower your expectations, this is not a 10/10, 9/10, neither a MUST SEE movie. I wouldn't call it hilarious, even though there are some scenes that i laughed hard, and, definitely, this is not scary, gory or intense.
2) However, it's funny and enjoyable. Maybe younger people will enjoy it more, though i am not young but i still enjoy it. Characters are very likeable, music is good, this movie doesn't take itself too serious, and if you are in the mood for a movie like this, you will have fun watching it. Don't expect a comedy-horror movie, it's more farcical than horror. Young actors did a fine job.
3) The ending is great. In fact, as the movie progressed, it was getting funnier. I would definitely watch a sequel..
2) However, it's funny and enjoyable. Maybe younger people will enjoy it more, though i am not young but i still enjoy it. Characters are very likeable, music is good, this movie doesn't take itself too serious, and if you are in the mood for a movie like this, you will have fun watching it. Don't expect a comedy-horror movie, it's more farcical than horror. Young actors did a fine job.
3) The ending is great. In fact, as the movie progressed, it was getting funnier. I would definitely watch a sequel..
had potential but was really bad
synergieliebe29 August 2020
So Funny And Different
krisnadexter31 July 2021
Teenager adventure is always a good theme for comedy. And this movie is seriously funny. A bit absurd, unconventional, strange, but funny nevertheless.
At first I thought I wouldn't like this. Because they show the first 3 protagonist in a way that they were unlikeable. But that's how it supposed to be. Our main character are 3 problematic teens and 1 ordinary teen that forced to work together. And they team up wonderfully in the end.
The scenery is beautiful. The acting is good. The jokes are amusing. This is a good movie to watch after a long day and you need entertainment.
At first I thought I wouldn't like this. Because they show the first 3 protagonist in a way that they were unlikeable. But that's how it supposed to be. Our main character are 3 problematic teens and 1 ordinary teen that forced to work together. And they team up wonderfully in the end.
The scenery is beautiful. The acting is good. The jokes are amusing. This is a good movie to watch after a long day and you need entertainment.
Fun and worth a watch
banglainey28 January 2022
As a purveyor of underscrutinized horror films, I really enjoyed this title. I would not necessarily categorize it as a Thriller, which is how I found it, but more like a gruesome comedy. Nevertheless, the fast pace and inane situations made for a fun hour and a half. Definitely worth a watch.
If you are the type who likes their storylines to be well buttoned up and make a lot of sense, this won't, but overall that just made it more hilarious in the end.
If you are the type who likes their storylines to be well buttoned up and make a lot of sense, this won't, but overall that just made it more hilarious in the end.
could have been better
zombie84-130 August 2020
Derivative rubbish
mail-9672731 August 2020
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.
Duke treatment
kosmasp2 October 2020
Going on a trip ... wait is that already a pun? It would be in line with the humour of the movie of course. I forget if humour was the British way of writing things (which would be fitting since this is from the Great Britain) or the American way of writing it. All that aside and seeing this is also called Boys in the Wood (I saw it called Get Duked), the movie has jokes in it that will either be right up your alley or annoy you.
That is also true of our group of 4 boys. They play it nicely and all have their own backstory, though I guess many will remember the rapper. Especially during a far out song he performs ... has to be seen to be believed! Especially considering who's really going for it (an actor you would not suspect doing it). So there are quite a few fun moments, there are moments where I personally struggled with understanding the words that were spoken (dialect/slang etc.). Overall a fun little movie, even if I suspected it to be even crazier ...
That is also true of our group of 4 boys. They play it nicely and all have their own backstory, though I guess many will remember the rapper. Especially during a far out song he performs ... has to be seen to be believed! Especially considering who's really going for it (an actor you would not suspect doing it). So there are quite a few fun moments, there are moments where I personally struggled with understanding the words that were spoken (dialect/slang etc.). Overall a fun little movie, even if I suspected it to be even crazier ...
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.
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!
It's Crap. Avoid
Miketh576 September 2020
Get Duked! (also known as Boys in the Wood) is so dumb I feel someone conned the producers into a free vacation in Scotland under the ruse of making a comedy. It might be somewhat amusing if you're 5 years old. It's not even filmed in the Highlands. Avoid and save your precious time for something better... Anything is better than this crap.
Ludicrous good fun
nashw8213 September 2020
An over the top adventure about 3 juvenile delinquents and one sheltered home schooler bonding on their journey to complete the Duke of Edinburgh award while being pursued by an elderly gunman.
It starts quite quickly and gives us a little backstory about the group then allows us to learn the rest along the way. The frenetic pace
and dialogue keep things moving quickly and American viewers might need subtitles to deal with the British accents.
All in all its plot is fairly simple but its energy, humour and ridiculous resolution make it a fun film with a few good laughs. Think Superbad meets Hot Fuzz and you'll have some idea what is going on here.
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