Mike Smith
After moives inspired by “The Simpsons” and “Bob;s Burgers” I have waited patiently for a “Family Guy” film. Sadly, Seth McFarlane has not heeded my wishes. That being said, with a script co-written by long time “Family Guy” writer Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, “Joyride” is a great consolation prize.
Audrey (Isla Rose Hall) is an Asian girl who was adopted by white Americans as a child. Her parents, hoping to help her appreciate her heritage, introduce themselves to another Asian family at the playground. There she meets the family’s young daughter, Lolo (Chloe Pun). The two become best friends and set out on their paths as adults. However, despite their shared heritage, their paths are quite different.
Outrageously funny, and just a little naughty, “Joyride” is a major filmmaking achievement, avoiding the stereotypical portrayal of Asians on screen and replacing them with a well written and well performed story that feels real.
Now an adult, Audrey (Ashley Park) is an attorney who is asked to represent her firm to a prospective client in China. Nervous for a multitude of reasons, she takes her bestie Lolo (Sherry Cola) with her, along with Lolo’s cousin, Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), who is a huge KPop fan. Audrey also plans to meet us with Kat (Stephanie Hsu), a friend from college who has found success on a Chinese soap opera. As Audrey and her friends start their adventures, they all find much more then they are looking for.
This film has been compared to Kristen Wiig’s “Bridesmaids,” and rightly so. Where the former film showed that women can be as raunchy as men, “Joyride” takes that achievement a step further, showing a little seen side of a culture that is often portrayed as cold and unemotional.
To say any more would give away some major plot points, but suffice it to say that the laughs are plentiful, with a few truly emotional moments thrown in to balance the story. If you’re in need of a laugh – a real, genuine belly laugh – then I highly recommend “Joyride.”
