As I said in my review of the first of these revivals of the old British series, I always loved the original Trinian’s movies, and since then I’ve seen them all again on DVD and can tell you I still pretty much do (some aren’t great but always fun). And I even enjoyed that first modern take on the idea… even if, to be honest, I can’t quite remember why right now. I do remember I loved the two first-years in that movie, though, and the first relief here was that they’re back… along with even more of the new intake.
For the most part, for its first half, this movie pretty much appeased my low expectations simply by being clear about its story and easy to follow, along with just a few good giggles (mostly from the younger ones, it has to be said… I can do without the “teen appeal” posing of the older set, I’m sure none of the original Trinian’s girls would’ve been seen dead in Gucci…)
Just when it began to get interesting, that is, delivering on all the setup, there’s a scene that pretty much killed it for me personally. It’s a straight up parody of The Exorcist only it actually concerns real possession, like, it’s not just done as a silly joke, it’s a plot point and everything. I know this is meant to be a silly movie, but that just seemed cheap and plain stupid. It’s not even contained to the one scene, and goes on way too long.
It picks up slightly after this but it’s a tough recovery. The final act here is practically identical to the first movie’s, with the girls descending onto London in a (pretty awesome to behold, has to be said) flashmob scene and infiltration of a Cultural Event. It feels a little lazy, but there is a least a little more from those younger girls from the first movie in this sequence. I think I was just still reeling from the terrible Exorcist gag to get back into it as much as I might’ve in the end. It’s a shame the people behind these remakes feel the need to go so low for a guaranteed laugh from the lowest common denominator etc. Likewise on the Sarah Harding casting and the “cool” treatment of the older girls. It’s way off the original concept to have such mainstream style in a St. Trinian’s movie, at least in my opinion. All this said, I’m sure I won’t be able to resist if they try again.


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