Quick Movie Review: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

They're all older, yet they're all pretty much the same. Maybe that's another Greek stereotype I'm unaware of. But in this sitcomy world that Nia Vardalos has created for us, it makes sense anyway.

From the very first moments, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 comes off as more of a cast reunion or a "Where Are They Now?" special than anything else.

By nature, the title already limits what this film can be about. And it shows. Obvious with every forced plot point, it tries to cover too much ground, but then still finds a way to sneak a wedding into it all.

Amidst trying to be the mediator for her whole family, Toula (Vardalos) must deal with her daughter possibly leaving home for college. She also must try to handle her own suffering relationship with her neglected husband (John Corbett), while trying to plan a wedding for her parents who recently find out that their 50-year marriage was never official.

At one point there are about 3 major story lines competing for the title of "main". Plus several others intermixed. As a result, we get scenes that serve no purpose and film with no direction.

The dialogue is just as sloppy--going for that quirky awkwardness that worked so well in the 2002 original. But here, it plays as unnatural and stiff.

Maybe the cast has lost its chemistry with one another. Or maybe it's missing a little of what made the first one work. That first film was completely organic. The sequel is the exact opposite.

Everything is forced. From the dialogue to the character depth. Trying to squeeze every last bit of emotion out of its audience every chance it gets.

Not to say it doesn't have its moments. I didn't hate it. It just isn't all that good. Certain performances outdo others. Michael Constantine is just as good as Toula's father. But director Kirk Jones just can't extract the same results out of most of the rest of the cast.

It's all just really discombobulated. Directionless. It tries to prove points, but then counters them with opposing points--ultimately saying nothing. Or worse: not knowing what it's saying.

Many jokes fall flat. Luckily the head count is so high that eventually there are a few you end up laughing at.

But as a whole, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is a mess. It means well. Really, it does. It'll even make you smile a few times. But after 14 years, you'd at least hope for a better story.

Twizard Rating: 59

Quick Movie Review: Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

When talking about time travel sequels, I have to bring up my two favorites: "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey" and "Back to the Future 2". Both of these films build upon the previous film, don't differ in tone, and although to some not quite as good as the first, they find a way to get it done so that it's just as satisfying to the viewer. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 fails at all of those attributes. Instead it makes us dislike the characters, grosses us out beyond belief, and makes us want it to end.

Part of the first movie's charm is that it takes place in the 1980s. It has that nostalgia element to it. It's fun and adventurous. Here, we go into the future where it's dark and gloomy and makes us want to look away. I'm not saying that they couldn't have made it work by going to the future. Back to the Future 2 made it work--but we were genuinely invested in what happened and there was some sort of reverence and consistency in the film universe.

But within the setting of Hot Tub Time Machine, I think I can safely say that most people would have rather seen the murder mystery plot take place in the past--somewhere that the audience would like to see the characters adapt to. The future setting just doesn't work.

Sure, it provides us with a good murder mystery, but at what expense? Lou (Rob Corddry) learns a lot about himself and grows as a person, but then kills himself off because he feels like his demeanor gets too reasonable and nice.

Not to say that this movie doesn't have its moments, because it does. Adam Scott is a great addition to the film and probably the highlight. I laughed a few times--mostly towards the beginning--but its grossness outdoes its humor, and that's never a good place for a comedy to be.

Although I do give it points for a creative and unpredictable premise, I have to dock it for having too many scenes that drag out for eternities at a time.

I'm not going to mention the film's time travel paradoxes, because I don't think the filmmakers care all that much.

If you like gross out humor, the I guess you'd think this movie is funny. But for most of the people in the world, you'll see it as a huge drop off from the first.

Twizard Rating: 59