Two years ago Tim Greene released his crime comedy Skeem, this year Kagiso Lediga and company bring another crime caper with lots of bang and laughter Blitz Patrolie.
Hopefully this trend will grow - Blitz Patrollie features most of the Pure Monate regulars, a cameo by Loyiso Gola and most comedy heavyweights. Unlike Bunny Chow - the team's previous film - this one is a laugh out loud experience.
The basic story is: Ace Dikolobe (David Kau) and Rummy Augustine (Joey Rasdien) are loser cops in a loser cop unit in Johannesburg. The unit might be shutdown if the losers don’t punch above their weight - both as individuals and as a unit.
David Kau is the overly skinny cop with a macho-man complex while Joey is the chubby family man who gets beat down by his mother in law. Throw in a plot about missing drugs, crooked politicians and a stone throwing hit man (only in South Africa) and you have a pleasant and funny ride.
It's directed and edited by Andrew Wessels, who's done it all from commercials to music videos and is currently executive producer and technical director on Late Night News - he makes some cool choices in the movie.
The movie stays away from the guerilla aesthetics of shakey and hand held movements which actually helps to keep the focus on the story and the gags. The movie has a story and its not one long gag. The cool visual effects, stunts and exploding heads are used cleverly within the story.
The story is filled with gags that work and credit to Kagiso Lediga who wrote the screenplay. The writing has grown since the days of Bunny Chow. Some of the gags like having a stone throwing hit man, having a white guy as part of the Naidoo Indian gang and references to South African life and peculiarities make the movie extra special.
The cast from Kau to Lediga bring their A game .The characters from David
Kibuku’s impotent snipers to Kau morphing into the “starring” he idolizes is a
great pay off. Although the mid-section of the movie becomes a bit long, the movie and the characters we encounter are worth it.The sound track is unashamedly SA and is a joy to listen to.
If you want a cool story, some skop, skiet, donner and laughter you can’t go
wrong with Blitz Patrollie. Check it out next month, 10 May .