For those unfamiliar with the first Buddy Games, fear not! Prior knowledge is not required to follow the story. What a surprise! The opening scene effectively establishes the central characters, their antagonists, and the high stakes, allowing the adventure to kick off immediately. The editing presents things in a way that assumes no prior knowledge of the games or how they operate and a pop-up scorecard helps you to keep track of each team's position. The initial event ends quickly, leaving plenty of film for more to unfold. After the tragic death of one of their own, Bobfather (played by Josh Duhamel) and the boys steal the urn and embark on a journey to commemorate their friend's life at the place where the Buddy Games first began. However, their plans go awry when they find themselves caught in the chaos of spring break. It's doubtful whether the central cast of Duhamel, Bakkedahl, Dillon, Swardson, and Roday Rodriguez are real-life buddies, but their exceptional chemistry suggests they might be. JD ensures that everyone looks their best, even in humiliating moments for their characters. This movie reminded me of the Jack Ass movies, with their crude and juvenile humor and the constant one-upmanship in pulling off outrageous stunts. If you enjoy that type of pranks, there's nothing wrong with that. Unlike the first film, Josh did not write this one; he "only" directed and starred in it. Whether that's a good thing or not is subjective. Overall, "Buddy Games: Spring Awakening" is a watchable film that offers some entertainment value.
