It has been 7 years since Nick Giannopolous released The Wannabes to both critical and commercial damnation. Not too much of a surprise then, to see the popular Greek-Australian comedian rest on his old laurels in a sequel to one of Australia’s highest grossing pictures.

What is surprising is that The Kings of Mykonos delivers in many unexpected ways. It is not necessarily a funny film through and through, but it is fun to watch as these endearing men children from the suburbs of Melbourne struggle between two worlds, resulting in a quasi self identity crisis which has them too ethnic for Australia and too Australian for their ancestral land.     

Giannopoulos has made a career of creating high concept morality tales posing as comedic soap operas, and this film delivers as just that.

Sure, the jokes need an upgrade.

Yes, the boys from Fat Pizza have reinvented his wog comedy shtick for a new generation.

And, maybe he is cashing in on old achievements. But what is undeniable is that charismatic, cheeky spirit that makes Giannopoulos such a likeable bloke, granted a slightly older one with a much chubbier face.        

We are first reunited with his Steve Karamitsis at a critical crossroads in his life. The Federal Police has ceased all of his assets (including his beloved Valiant), and he is left with the prospect of having nowhere to go.

His best friend Frank (Vince Colosimo) is also facing hard times, as the raging lothario realises he has lost his libido.

Salvation comes in a phone call from the Greek island of Mykonos. It turns out Steve has inherited a million dollar beach property from an Uncle he has never heard of.

Both Steve and Frank pack their bags and head off to Mykonos, only to find a clash of cultures awaits them, beautiful women (played by Zeta Makrypoulia and Cosima Coppola) elude them, and enemies come out of the woodwork in Alex Dimitriatis’ millionaire property developer and Kevin Sorbo’s mega man whore.

Old school humour and energetic performances keeps the film from relying wholly on past glories. A picturesque Greek locale in Mykonos provides breathtaking imagery. A motivational speech involving the plight of the Anzacs, which is then turned into funny insight into Greek-Turkish relations, reminds of Giannopoulos’ ability to tap into ethnic sensitivities with key comedic intellect.      

Techno, beautiful women, and V8s all feature in what surely must be a Wogs idea of paradise. Only fitting that Giannopoulos, king of the Wogs, be our guide.