“Chicken dance!”

Justin’s rating: This movie is the peachiest!

Justin’s review: When it comes to any movie that bills itself as a sequel, I have one absolute dealbreaker of a requirement: You must continue the first film in some way. Same actors, writers, or director picking up the narrative thread and taking it forward. There’s got to be a clear connection other than a title that’s serving as a shameless cash grab. Otherwise, you’re simply not a sequel in my book.

Even with the bar that low, I’m somewhat impressed that they pumped out Ski School 2 with the same lead actor and the script writer for the first movie now stepping up to the director’s chair (and rumored to have written it as well). Official sequel status engaged — now let’s see if it’s worth the watch.

Dave Marshak (Dean Cameron) is back with his trademark snark and thick, luscious eyebrows. Eyebrows so full and flush that you want to run your fingers through them while listening to patriotic tunes. Unfortunately, he’s the only character returning from Ski School, so don’t expect a reunion of Section 8.

Rather, Dave heads back to the mountain to stop his ex-girlfriend from getting married to a jock. Since he’s clearly pushing 40 years old here, you can understand his desperation at wanting to recapture the girl who got away, Beth (Heather Campbell). You know, Beth! From not-the-first-movie! It does seem like he’s got an uphill climb, considering that he currently lives in a school bus and hasn’t graduated out of perpetual adolescence.

Heading to the ol’ ski resort, Dave pulls in his old womanizer friend Alex (Doug Copithorne) for emotional support. You know, Alex! From not-the-first-movie! When they get there, Dave’s got to pry Beth away from her obvious creep of a fiancee named Steve and prove his worth while also assembling a new crew of lovable losers for new pranks ‘n’ partying. Just in case we don’t hate Steve’s snobbery enough, he’s only marrying Beth to take over control of the mountain that she’s inheriting from her father.

I’m convinced that the biggest draw to these movies is Dean Cameron. With a good writer behind him, Cameron pulls off rapid-fire sarcastic and testy exchanges while remaining unflappable in pretty much any situation. His new sidekicks are more than fine, but they’re no scene-stealers like he is.

Of course we want Dave to win Beth’s heart, but the question is if he can restrain his anarchistic impulses long enough. Probably not. As the days lead up to the nuptials, we see what’s become of the old bar, some skiing lessons, a low-key war between Steve’s and Dave’s minions, crashing a reception, and a wedding showdown.

As with the first movie, “fun” is the order of the day for Ski School 2. Its plot is almost completely superfluous as to not be a distraction for the zany situations, cheeky quotes, and occasional ski montage. There’s still the tried-and-true slobs vs. snobs conflict, except that Steve is so clearly outmatched in the wits department that he’s not that much of a threat.

It’s not quite up to the exuberant perfection that was the first movie, but this sequel’s pretty darn good — no phone-in effort here. Yeah, it’s a bit immature, but it’s also a bit more witty and personable than you might first assume.

Intermission!

• Wait, were those sumo skiiers?
• “Weak teeth caused that fall.”
• Nothing like listening to a dorky song about skiing set to a guy… snowboarding?
• “You got a bus engine? Want to give me a ride?”
• “It rhymes with… absolutely nothing.”
• “Don’t get caught pumping up a flat dog. Doy.”
• “When I knew him, he was… still alive.”
• “I should be thankful you don’t have this effect on me.”
• Painting in the nude and snow boots is a new one
• That’s a very freaky men’s bathroom
• Dave is a surprisingly good bartender
• The downhill bed ski looked like it took an awful lot of engineering. Also, isn’t this attempted murder?
• His name is “Todd or Bert?”
• Chicken dances can be really wild
• So. Many. Stunt. Doubles.
• “OK. Women. Hide Alex.”
• Battleship, the most romantic of board games
• This is the worst wedding ceremony ever