Watch Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past

Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past, the 2008 comedy from South Africa, takes place a few years after the events of the original Mr Bones movie. Written by Leon Schuster, co-directed by Gray Hofmeyr and Schuster, and featuring a talented cast that includes Tongayi Chirisa and Leeanda Reddy, the movie centers around the titular character, an impish and sly tribal chief, as he embarks on a new adventure that is filled with humor, heart, and just a little bit of magic.

The movie opens with a bang, as we see a group of archaeologists uncovering Mr. Bones' tomb with a bulldozer. Only this time, Mr. Bones is ready for them. He quickly realizes that not only is he no longer dead (he was brought back to life by a group of mischievous children), but that the world around him has also changed drastically.

In order to get back to his time (and to the woman he loves), Mr. Bones needs to travel to a witch doctor and ask for his help. The problem is that he needs to get there first, and with the modern world standing in his way, it's not going to be easy. Luckily, he finds a kindred spirit in Hekule (Chirisa), a good-natured yet somewhat bumbling taxi driver who agrees to help him get to the witch doctor. Along the way, they run into a series of misadventures (including a hilarious scene where they get mistaken for gay lovers) and meet a number of characters who are all trying to get in their way.

As Mr. Bones and Hekule make their way through the city and the surrounding countryside, they encounter a number of people who are either trying to help them or stop them. Among them are Leeanda Reddy's character, who works at a gas station and takes a liking to Hekule, and a group of gangsters who are convinced that Mr. Bones is involved in a diamond heist. There are also plenty of hijinks involved in getting Mr. Bones used to the modern world, including a scene where he tries to ride a bicycle and ends up crashing it into a bunch of people.

It's not all fun and games, though. Along the way, Mr. Bones and Hekule form a bond that is touching and sincere, and there are even a few moments of real pathos. In one scene, Mr. Bones visits a modern museum and is heartbroken to see that his people's culture has been reduced to a few dusty artifacts in a glass case. In another scene, Hekule reflects on his own life and realizes that he wants more than just driving a taxi around for the rest of his days.

One of the things that makes Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past so enjoyable is its blend of humor and heart. On the one hand, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments (including a fart joke that goes on for a little too long). On the other hand, there are also genuine emotional beats that add depth to the characters and their relationships. Schuster is a master at combining these two disparate tones into a cohesive whole, and the result is a movie that is both funny and moving.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Mr Bones movie without some outrageous stunts and set pieces, and there are plenty of those on display here. Whether it's Mr. Bones causing havoc at a fancy hotel or Hekule getting into a brawl with a group of thugs, there is always something exciting and entertaining happening on screen. The movie is also beautifully shot, with some breathtaking vistas of the South African landscape that will leave you yearning to visit the country yourself.

Ultimately, Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past is a fun and enjoyable romp, filled with quirky characters, zany humor, and a healthy dose of heart. Schuster and his co-director Gray Hofmeyr have crafted a movie that is both a love letter to South Africa and a delightful adventure in its own right. If you're looking for a good time at the movies, then look no further than Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past.