Movie Review: “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties”

Fans searching for genuine thoughts on “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties,” the latest Trailer Park Boys movie, will find plenty of honest feedback and real laughter here. During the 710th edition of Wrestling Uncensored, host Genesis Johnny North stepped away from discussing body slams and piledrivers to review a new film featuring everyone’s favourite crew from Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Although it’s not about pro wrestling, the conversation was filled with the same energy and humour fans expect from the Ringside Report Network. Johnny’s review, supported by co-host Dave Simon’s curious questions, gave a clear idea of what longtime Trailer Park Boys followers can expect. Let’s break down the heart of his review, the film’s main characters, its tone, and why it stands out among past Trailer Park Boys movies.

(Call to action: Catch the Ringside Report Network on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick. Listen to the audio podcast wherever podcasts are available!)

A Bubbles-Centric Adventure

Johnny North set the stage by highlighting who takes centre stage this time around. He said: “It’s mainly about Bubbles and him going on his dream of becoming a star in music.” Bubbles has always been a fan favourite, known for his kindness, quirky personality, and those signature thick-rimmed glasses. This movie pushes him even further into the spotlight. While Julian and Ricky appear, Johnny said: “I feel they’re more like guest stars actually in their own movie.” This shift might surprise viewers used to equal time among the three pals. Instead, “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties” gives Bubbles the platform to shine brighter than ever.

Life After Lahey

One big question going into this film was how it would handle the absence of Jim Lahey, the iconic supervisor of Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Lahey’s passing, both in real life and within the storyline, left a huge gap. Johnny admitted: “It’s going to be different. So many people, unfortunately, have passed on. There’s no more Lahey anymore, that really changes the dynamic.” Without Lahey’s drunken rants and constant battles with Ricky and Julian, the filmmakers had to find a new way forward.

Rather than focus on what’s missing, they moved the setting beyond just the trailer park, showing Bubbles hitting the road to chase his musical dreams. Johnny said: “It’s mainly about Bubbles… it’s here and there with Ricky and Julian, but it’s more focused on him.” This change in direction helps the series remain fresh rather than trying to recreate what can’t be replaced. By not lingering too long on who’s gone, the film honours the past without getting stuck in it.

A Different Style That Feels Familiar

Johnny noted how this movie returns to the series’ classic mockumentary feel. Past attempts at making Trailer Park Boys films sometimes felt too much like regular movies, losing some of the down-to-earth style that made the show special. Johnny explained: “That was the big problem with The Big Dirty. They tried to play it more like a movie, where this one they play it like how they always did—like they’re being filmed, they’re being interviewed.”

This approach works in the new film’s favour. The characters often talk to the camera, acknowledge the crew, and involve the audience. Such touches remind viewers why they fell in love with the show’s rough-around-the-edges style. It’s not just a polished feature film; it’s a Trailer Park Boys adventure that keeps the documentary-like charm, which helps fans feel right at home.

Old Faces, Different Roles, and New Surprises

Despite being Bubbles-centric, many fan favourites show up. Randy is back, and Johnny was happy to see him controlling the Dirty Burger. Johnny said: “I was surprised by that… it was a nice little remembrance that it still exists.” Randy’s presence and side hustles bring back memories of the old days. Even so, viewers won’t see everyone they remember. The absence of Corey, Jacob, Sarah, and others might feel odd. Still, the film leans on the best-known trio to carry the load.

Tom Mayhew, who appeared in earlier out-of-the-park adventures, returns as a jerk pushing the Boys around. Johnny warned that if fans didn’t enjoy Tom Mayhew’s antics before, they might not love his involvement now. He said: “If you didn’t like that stuff so much… maybe you might not like the stuff with him and Billy Bob Thornton, then possibly.” Bringing back characters from spin-off series and global adventures shows the creators digging into their own lore to find new conflicts for Bubbles to overcome.

Ricky’s Wild Energy and Julian’s Schemes

Ricky and Julian may not command the screen as much this time, but Johnny made it clear they’re still entertaining when they do appear. Ricky remains the lovable troublemaker, usually high, drunk, or both. Johnny laughed: “They had this idea where every time Ricky’s on screen, he’s just always angry, almost always breaking stuff or he’s drunk, or he’s high on mushrooms.” Fans who cherish Ricky’s chaotic energy won’t be disappointed. Julian still hustles and tries to make money, always looking for deals and managing the situation from his perspective. Their familiar traits pop up in short bursts, making their reduced screen time meaningful. It’s like adding a dash of their classic flavour without overshadowing the main dish—Bubbles’ journey.

A Tour with Heartfelt Tributes

Another highlight is the way the movie acknowledges longtime fans. Bubbles’ love for cats has always been part of his character, but this film lets him honour one cat in particular: Vince the Pince. Johnny remembered a key moment: “There’s a really good, heart-wrenching tribute song that he does for Vince the Pince.” Such deep cuts show respect for fans who’ve followed the show for decades. The passing of beloved characters and animals reflects real-life changes since the early seasons. Instead of ignoring this, the movie weaves it into the story, making it both funny and sentimental.

Laughter and Genuine Fun

Johnny North couldn’t help but rave about how funny the movie was. He said: “I haven’t laughed in the theatres that loud and hard in a long time.” This is a big praise from someone who has watched many shows and films. Trailer Park Boys has always thrived on outrageous humor, offbeat dialogue, and bizarre situations. From the sound of it, “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties” finds that spark again. Returning to the classic style—characters talking directly to the camera, unexpected gags, beloved old music numbers like “Liquor and Whores”—creates a comfortable space for laughter.

The film doesn’t rely on cheap-age jokes or forced meta-commentary about how old the characters have become. Johnny said: “I love that they had none of that crap. We can see they’re old, but that was never pushed.” Instead, it trusts the audience to enjoy the characters as they are. This approach keeps the humour focused on the story, not on the actors’ real-world aging.

Ranking the Trailer Park Boys Movies

For longtime fans curious about where this movie stands among others, Johnny placed it high. He said: “I would put this above The Big Dirty. It’s very close with Countdown to Liquor Day.” That’s strong praise, given how loved some of those earlier films are. By sticking to the series’ core style and letting Bubbles lead, “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties” might challenge fans to rethink their rankings.

Johnny also considered whether fans completely new to the franchise would appreciate it. He imagined newcomers might see it as a strange, musical-ish comedy. Without the background of years following these characters, some jokes or callbacks might not land. But for anyone who watched Trailer Park Boys over the years, this movie might feel like slipping back into a favourite old shirt—familiar, comfortable, and still good for a laugh.

Multiple Viewings and Future Availability

Johnny liked the movie so much that he’d watch it again in theatres. He said: “I rarely want to see a movie again in theatres, but I actually wouldn’t mind seeing this again because it was that good.” That’s a strong endorsement. He also wondered if Dave Simon, a long-time Trailer Park Boys fan, would love it as much. Dave showed interest, saying he’d try to check it out. The only question was where and when. Since it’s only in select theatres, fans might have to wait for streaming services. Johnny mentioned it might wind up on the Boys’ own platform, Swearnet, or possibly Netflix. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but fans can hope.

A Must-Watch for Devoted Fans

Anyone who’s still cheering for the Sunnyvale crew after all these years should give “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties” a shot. It’s a film that doesn’t pretend the old days never happened. Instead, it respects the past—both the good times and the lost friends—while giving Bubbles the spotlight he deserves. The result is a funny, heartfelt, and surprisingly fresh entry in the Trailer Park Boys saga.

.