REVIEW: 'Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild'

Hello cinema lovers. This film is a sequel to Todd Stephens' 2006 Another Gay Movie, a filthy and funny parody of American Pie. This re-released follow-up takes everything from the first film and turns up the volume, more camp, more flesh, more chaos. If you're looking for something deep and meaningful, you've got the wrong movie.

Fort Lauderdale. Spring break 1998. Four gay best friends, a hotel packed with gorgeous men, and a competition to see who can hook up with the most guys in one week. The winner gets crowned Miss Gay Gone Wild. That's the whole film wrapped up in a bow.

The four boys, shy Andy (Jake Mosser), theatrical Nico (Jonah Blechman), jock Jarod (Jimmy Clabots), and nerd Griff (Aaron Michael Davies), are giving it their all and clearly loving every minute of this production. They perform like real friends, which keeps the whole thing likeable even when the humour goes to some very silly places.

The campness is absolutely OTT. RuPaul turns up as the hotel activity coordinator, all glamour and smirks. Lady Bunny hosts the competition like the world's most fabulous game show presenter. Perez Hilton bangs his head on a plane, spends most of the film as a God-fearing loony. There's even a merman fantasy featuring porn star Brent Corrigan.

A zombie dream sequence that shows the director's love for George Romero's Day of the Dead in a spot-on homage. A poolside showgirls spoof, and a three-way scene that falls apart in the funniest, stickiest way. It throws everything at the wall, and most of it works.

The film is also quite thirsty. The hotel is full of beautiful men in very tight briefs, tanned, muscled and happy. Wet package competitions, sauna scenes and beach antics play out. The film loves its man candy and isn't shy about showing it off. It's proudly horny from start to finish, and that energy is a big part of what makes it so much fun.

But here's the surprise - underneath all the farce, there's a gentle little story. Nico, the most flamboyant and least "cool" of the group, can't seem to get anyone to notice him while his friends are busy hooking up. Jonah Blechman plays Nico sweetly, and you end up rooting for him in the end.

When the misfits of spring break eventually find each other and have their moment, it's touching. The film decides that the most overlooked person in the room deserves to succeed, and that's a lovely idea.

Jarod and Griff from the first movie, now a monogamous couple, wrestle with whether to enter the sex contest at all. It's a small subplot, but it adds a little heart to the proceedings. Does some of the humour feel a bit dated? Here and there, yes. A few jokes haven't aged brilliantly. But the film's spirit is kind, its pace is quick, and it never takes itself seriously for a second, and at 99 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome.

In the world of queer cinema, this sits proudly in the "sexy, silly good time" corner. A gay Carry On film with hot bodies and zany drag. Todd Stephens would go on to make the deeply moving Swan Song in 2021, but here he just wants everyone to have fun. And you will too.

Turn your brain off. Enjoy the camp. Appreciate the view. Root for Nico.

Another Gay Movie: Gays Gone Wild (2008) is available on all streaming platforms.