I Not Stupid Too

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I Not Stupid Too 2
Directed by Jack Neo
Produced by Chan Pui Yin
Seah Saw Yam
Written by Jack Neo
Starring Jack Neo
Huang Yiliang
Xiang Yun
Ashley Leong
Shawn Lee
Joshua Ang
Distributed by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures
Release date(s) Flag of Singapore 26 January 2006 (Singapore)
Running time 122 minutes
Language English, Mandarin, Hokkien
Budget  
Preceded by I Not Stupid (2002)
IMDb profile

I Not Stupid Too (Chinese: 小孩不笨二 Pinyin: xiǎohái bù bèn èr) is a Singaporean film that was written and directed by Jack Neo and released on 26 January 2006.[1] It stars Jack Neo, Xiang Yun, Huang Yiliang, Shawn Lee, Ashley Leong and Joshua Ang.

I Not Stupid Too is the sequel of I Not Stupid (2002). Earning over $4,000,000, it outstripped the original movie's earnings and has become the second-highest grossing Singaporean movie of all time, surpassed only by Money No Enough.

The film is about the lives of the 15-year-old Tom, his 8-year old brother Jerry, and their friend, the 15-year-old Chengcai. This satirical comedy touches on various issues facing Singaporean teens today, particularly the lack of communication between parents and children, and the lack of appreciation for good deeds.[2]

Contents

[edit] Production

Screenwriter and Director Jack Neo was inspired to write I Not Stupid Too after reading a book about appreciation education, a method of teaching developed by the Chinese educator Zhou Hong[3]. In response to criticisms that I Not Stupid Too lacks his trademark political satire, Jack Neo has said, "I'm not anti-government. I'm making films as a Singaporean. This is my way of contributing to society. If I feel strongly about something, I won't keep quiet."[4]

I Not Stupid Too was produced by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. Besides writing and directing, Neo starred as Mr. Yeo, and composed the theme song which Hong Junyang sang.[5] The production crew included Executive Producer Daniel Yun, Producers Chan Pui Yin and Seah Saw Yam, Cinematographer Ardy Lam and Music and Sound Director Mo Ju Li[6]

Filming took place during the school holidays in June, at Saint Hilda's Primary School, Presbyterian High School and various other locations.

Child actors Shawn Lee and Joshua Ang stated that they relished the challenge of playing roles quite distinct from those they played in the first film.[7] The entire film crew was reduced to tears while shooting a scene where Mr Lim beats Chengcai up because he is unable to express his love for him.[4]

Dissatisfied with the extras in several scenes involving gangsters, Jack Neo hired real gangsters to act the parts instead. Neo claims that, despite initial problems of communication, he gave the men simple instructions and praised them for a good take, after which they were more responsive. Working with gangsters, he has said, was a revelation -- his interactions with them highlighted the message of I Not Stupid Too. Shawn Lee added, "I think they're really misunderstood. They can be very good friends."[4][8]

[edit] Plot

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The plot revolves around the lives of Tom Yeo (Shawn Lee), his younger brother Jerry (Ashley Leong) and their friend Lim Chengcai (Joshua Ang). 15-year-old Tom is technologically inclined and a talented blogger, while 8-year-old Jerry enjoys the performing arts and has the lead role in his school concert.

[edit] Cast

The main characters of the movie were played by the following actors:[9]

Actor/Actress Role
Shawn Lee Tom Yeo
Ashley Leong Jerry Yeo
Joshua Ang Lim Chengcai
Huang Yi Liang Mr Lim
Jack Neo Steven (Mr Yeo)
Xiang Yun Karen (Mrs Yeo)

[edit] Reception

With earnings of $1,414,496 in the first six days, I Not Stupid Too broke Liang Po Po: The Movie 's previous opening record of $1,387,118.[10] By its eleventh day in theaters, the film grossed over $2,000,000 and topped the local box office ahead of Jet Li's Fearless.[11] In total, I Not Stupid Too grossed over $4,000,000, surpassing the original film's takings of $3,800,000. Following its success in Singapore, the film was screened in Malaysia (starting 9 March) and Hong Kong (starting 22 June).[2][10][11][12]

Besides being showcased at the Cannes World Cinema and 2006 Shanghai International Film Festival,[13] the film was nominated for Best Asian Film at the 2007 Hong Kong Film Awards,[14] but lost to Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.[15]

Critics have praised the film for touching on important issues such as parent-child communication. movieXclusive.com reviewer Jolene Tan described I Not Stupid Too as "a good local movie that will have [its audience] laughing in stitches and crying at certain points" and "one that all Singaporeans should go see", giving the film an overall rating of 4/5. However, she criticised the movie's use of digital animation, arguing that it "ruined the 'genuine' feel of the film."[1] Like most of Neo’s other films, I Not Stupid Too highlights many of Singapore’s most topical issues. It "touches on corporal punishment in schools, the much criticised ‘Speak Mandarin’ campaign and the lack of quality time that parents give to their children, thus adversely affecting their education", wrote a review for Bite the Mango.[16] Nie Peng of Shenzhen Daily commented that I Not Stupid Too "captured the emotional depth and effectively conveyed the underlying theme of generation gaps" and "made the audience laugh and cry along with the three young actors".[17] In contrast, a reviewer for The Hindu found I Not Stupid overly preachy, and said that the film "feels like a public service program written by Singapore's social welfare department".[18]

[edit] Sequels

The original I Not Stupid was released on 15 February 2002 and grossed $3,800,000. With a different story and characters from its sequel, it touched on issues such as Singapore's education system and social values. When released, I Not Stupid was Singapore's all-time second-highest grossing movie, but has since been overtaken by I Not Stupid Too. With the success of the two I Not Stupid films, Jack Neo has announced plans to make more films in the series. [2][19]

As with the original film, a TV version of I Not Stupid Too, consisting of 13 30-minute episodes, was broadcast on Channel 8 every Saturday from 9 to 9:30 p.m., from 23 September 2006 to 16 December 2006. However, while the TV version of I Not Stupid was a longer retelling of the film, the televised version of the sequel continued from where the film left off.[20] Unlike the movie, which was a satirical comedy, the TV series was more of a comedy sitcom, and Jerry Yeo was played by a new actor who portrayed him as a happier, more curious and more talkative child than the Jerry Yeo of the films. The beginning of the series is narrated by him as a boy who is reaching puberty and suffering from the absence of his father. I Not Stupid Forum, a talk show hosted by Jack Neo, was broadcast on Channel 8 every Saturday from 10:30 to 11 p.m., starting 6 February 2007. In each of the eight episodes, issues regarding teenagers were explored and views from both professors and psychologists, as well as those of children and teens, were presented.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b I Not Stupid Too (2006). movieXclusive.com (2006-01-26).
  2. ^ a b c Ng Bao Ying. "I Not Stupid Too tackles communication problems in families", Channel NewsAsia, 2006-01-18. 
  3. ^ "Educator who inspired "I Not Stupid Too" in town to give talk"", Channel NewsAsia, 4 February 2006. 
  4. ^ a b c Andrea Ong. "Those stupid tears", The Straits Times, 20 January 2006. 
  5. ^ I Not Stupid Too, Theme Song. INotStupid.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  6. ^ Story Outline - I Not Stupid Too. MediaCorp Raintree. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  7. ^ "Young stars of I Not Stupid Too spend holidays filming in school", Channel NewsAsia, 12 June 2005. 
  8. ^ "SCREEN TEST", South China Morning Post, 18 June 2006. 
  9. ^ Nanyang Technological University Students' Union E-Tribune
  10. ^ a b "'I Not Stupid Too' rakes in biggest box office opening for local film", Channel NewsAsia, 2006-02-01. 
  11. ^ a b "MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' "I Not Stupid Too" beats Jet Li's "Fearless"", Channel NewsAsia, 2006-02-06. 
  12. ^ Xiaohai bu ben 2 (2006) - Release dates
  13. ^ Corporate Profile - MediaCorp Raintree Pictures. MediaCorp. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
  14. ^ "Singapore music, media firms to showcase at HK entertainment expo", Channel NewsAsia, 2007-03-15. 
  15. ^ "26th Hong Kong Film Awards Ceremony held", Xinhua, 2007-04-15. 
  16. ^ "Film Details - I Not Stupid Too", Bite the Mango 2006, 2006-09-22. Retrieved on 2007-05-14. 
  17. ^ "I Not Stupid Too 2 shines at film festival", Shenzhen Daily, 2006-10-30. 
  18. ^ "'I Not Stupid Too' disappointing sequel to biting social commentary", The Hindu, 2006-07-14. 
  19. ^ "'I Not Stupid Too' crosses $4m mark in box office takings", Channel NewsAsia, 2006-03-06. 
  20. ^ "I Not Stupid Too, Every Sat, 9pm", Channel 8 - Mediacorp TV. Retrieved on 2007-05-14. 

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Films by Jack Neo
Money No Enough (1998) • That One No Enough (1999) • Liang Po Po: The Movie (1999) • I Not Stupid (2002) • Homerun (2003) • The Best Bet (2004) • I Do I Do (2005) • One More Chance (2005) • I Not Stupid Too (2006) • Just Follow Law (2007) • Ah Long Pte Ltd (2008)