The Diam Diam Era Two (PG13)

91 minutes, opens Feb 11, 3 stars

After the saccharine teen melodrama that was the first movie, this follow-up's satire of politics as it is played out in Singapore is an improvement.

To be clear, writer-director Jack Neo does not lampoon politicians. His target is political behaviour in Singapore, in particular, its performative side- the doorstops and baby-kissing, reporters schooling like fish around hopefuls on walkabouts and of course, the election rallies.

Neo fills the time with satirical bits about the small absurdities of the election cycle, such as bewildered shopkeepers and fishmongers roped in to be props in photos, arranged for candidates vying to look more in touch with the common folk than their opponents.

These skits are woven into a story set during the 1988 general election. Following the events of the first movie, the perpetually disgruntled Ah Kun (Mark Lee) decides to form his own opposition party to fight policies such as the sidelining of those schooled in the Chinese education system.

Against the advice of friends and family, he forms a multi-racial team with Osman (Suhaimi Yusof), Sharmugam (Silvarajoo Prakasam) and others.

While some skits are funny, others are trenchant and a couple are both. One has to endure the usual Neo-isms - punchlines underscored with sound and visual effects (no sad trombone or record scratch this time, but something new and just as annoying), maudlin moments set to sad musical breaks and overly long cross-talk segments.