For my 100th review(thanks to everyone who reads my reviews, no matter if you like them or not) I will be taking a look at the sequel to one of the funniest movies of the past several years, Hot Tub Time Machine. While this film certainly doesn't live up to the first film, and even uses many of the funniest bits of the first film, this film is not a complete waste. The following is my review of Hot Tub Time Machine 2.
Josh Heald returns to write this sequel, which may have actually hurt this film. With actors leaving the film it may have been a good idea to add some other talented writers to the mix. As I said above the film is still slightly funny for most of the film, but so many of the funny bits from the first film are used over and over again in this film. The film itself is not a complete rehash of the first film and there is some original stuff here and there. I personally just found the film to be a step down in terms of story and in terms of laughs over the first film. Heald delivers a passable comedy that clearly will not live up to his efforts on the first film.
Steve Pink is back directing this comedy sequel. Pink does a great job of capturing the vision of the film that he wanted and the film in the directing area looks great. The film was made on a budget of about fifteen million dollars, and never does the film look cheaply made. With the script being barely passable and the story not being that interesting Steve Pink will likely be taking most of the blame, as well he probably should as he is the director. The first film was in my opinion made even better by two great stars in Crispin Glover and John Cusack. Their stories from the first film added so much depth and laughs to the overall film that this sequel cannot find. Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke all do a good job, but you can tell something is missing. Pink does a good job in the directing area and the film looks good, but with some key characters from the first film not coming back, this film was probably set up for failure from the start.
In closing, this is a passable comedy, something to view if you want to waste a hour and a half of your life. The film is certainly not on the level of the first film, but offers up enough laughs to give it a shot. I just wouldn't spend a great deal of money on this film. The best bet here is to probably wait to rent the film for a couple dollars if you really want to see it. The film is easily worth a dollar or two in my opinion.
6/10
Josh Heald returns to write this sequel, which may have actually hurt this film. With actors leaving the film it may have been a good idea to add some other talented writers to the mix. As I said above the film is still slightly funny for most of the film, but so many of the funny bits from the first film are used over and over again in this film. The film itself is not a complete rehash of the first film and there is some original stuff here and there. I personally just found the film to be a step down in terms of story and in terms of laughs over the first film. Heald delivers a passable comedy that clearly will not live up to his efforts on the first film.
Steve Pink is back directing this comedy sequel. Pink does a great job of capturing the vision of the film that he wanted and the film in the directing area looks great. The film was made on a budget of about fifteen million dollars, and never does the film look cheaply made. With the script being barely passable and the story not being that interesting Steve Pink will likely be taking most of the blame, as well he probably should as he is the director. The first film was in my opinion made even better by two great stars in Crispin Glover and John Cusack. Their stories from the first film added so much depth and laughs to the overall film that this sequel cannot find. Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke all do a good job, but you can tell something is missing. Pink does a good job in the directing area and the film looks good, but with some key characters from the first film not coming back, this film was probably set up for failure from the start.
In closing, this is a passable comedy, something to view if you want to waste a hour and a half of your life. The film is certainly not on the level of the first film, but offers up enough laughs to give it a shot. I just wouldn't spend a great deal of money on this film. The best bet here is to probably wait to rent the film for a couple dollars if you really want to see it. The film is easily worth a dollar or two in my opinion.
6/10