Good Aussie comedy!

"Population: 5!"

Being a home grown Aussie, I have always enjoyed these types of comedies being rolled out over the years. BoyTown is not close to matching such other Molloy productions as Crackerjack, or Tony Martin's fantastic Bad Eggs, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying this one.

First of all, the major stand out was the fantastic music that was included. Now, most of the music was essentially boy band 80s style...but it's really catchy and quite embarrassingly hilarious. I'd like to think the 5 main cast members are singing, but it's sometimes quite obvious that they're not.

BoyTown is a film about an 80s Aussie boy band who called themselves 'BoyTown'. The film opens 14 years after the band were cut down in their prime; now the band members are middle-aged men living mundane lives and holding onto normal jobs.

Former band member Benny (Robbins) hears that a new-era boy band has remade one of their old hits. This sparks Benny's sudden interest who feels that maybe it's time for the boys to get back together for a few more albums and a bit more money. After the remaining four boys reluctantly sign on for one final tour of duty, the fun really kicks in!

There are so many fantastic Aussie comedians who pop up here. Tony Martin gets a hilarious minor role, and I even saw Akmal Saleh in a tiny cameo role.

BoyTown is written by the same two Aussie blokes who wrote Crackerjack; Mick and Richard Molloy. The two have a real flare for portraying the true Aussie bloke in a film; as a beer-drinking, laid back, heart-felt old fella. And the film strikes a chord with the typical Australian audience because they can see all the stereotypes shining through. I personally love the traits of the Aussie men and had a great laugh at the deadpan expressions and playing the parts so realistically.

The 5 main cast members...were all superb. Each were an essential addition to any 80s boy band. The music videos and concert shows were filmed with a keen eye for an accurate parody. Because most of those involved are used to appearing in sketch programs it's hardly surprising.

Of course there are a number of fantastic laughs throughout the movie. Not as many as I was hoping, but there's a good amount to make this film simple light-hearted entertainment. I was certainly entertained quite thoroughly. I guess it's an acquired taste to understand the humour as most of it is hidden in the song lyrics. It's such a shame, though, that all the fun is compromised by the atrocious ending. Honestly, I wish the filmmakers never included those final 5 minutes because I felt betrayed rather than satisfied.

But aside from that, BoyTown is a highly entertaining, brightly told Australian comedy. It succeeds in entertaining, but it's nothing groundbreaking.

7/10