Credit: Ster-Kinekor 

Leon Schuster is back on circuit with another of his popular gag-themed films. Schuks! Your Country Needs You! Is the newest local comedy on circuit and early signs, including the inclusion of comedian, Rob van Vuuren, indicate that this one will be a cut above some of the more recent Schuks films. Our editor, Tinashe, attended the star studded premiere last night; let's hear what he has to say about the film. 

I don't think I've really enjoyed a Leon Schuster film since Mr Bones, and without wanting to be too mean, I enjoyed Bones more because I was 12 years old than for any cinematic excellence the film might have possessed. Regardless, having parents who grew up watching Schuster, I was exposed to a great deal of his early work, and you know what? A lot of it is pretty damn funny. However, it's gotten very old over time. The newer Schuks films are, how do I say it- awful.

So when I got my hands on an invite to the premiere of  Schuks! Your Country Needs You! I really was not very optimistic. In fact, I was downright negative- I went in to the cinema expecting to be disappointed. I walked out, however, feeling pleasantly surprised, comfortably amused, and humbly respectful. 

Respectful towards Leon Schuster, who can't have been blind to the fact that the gags were getting a bit old, and so were those annoying close ups. You know the ones I'm talking about; where they zoom in on a face and Leon looks left, right, left, right, left, right like a bemused cartoon character. I hate those. Anyways, I digress. 

Leon realised that some changes were needed, and they are evident in his latest offering. There's an element of freshness to some of the gags. It's a fun watch. I didn't feel labored while watching at all. 

The basic storyline revolves around Leon realising that his country needs him (Er- for what?) before being strongly compelled to create one more gag-film. This time, however, he'll be doing it with the help of his "son" (Rob Van Vuuren) and they come up with a series of elaborate pranks that could potentially endanger their lives. 

Some of the pranks felt played out. For me, anything involving a snake has been overdone by Schuster. However, some of the pranks (And I won't give too many away) like the one they pulled on the actors, were excellent. 

The film was enjoyable. Hardly Oscar-worthy, but you can't be going into a gag-film expecting a Tom-Hanks-In-Forrest-Gump type of acting performance or Inception-esque CGI. However, if you want a good laugh, a film to put a smile on your face, or something the whole family can enjoy and chat about over dinner afterwards, then Schuks! Your Country Needs You! is the film for you. 

I'd give it a solid 6/10. More of the same next time, please, Leon!