Summary
Lil Rel Howery and John Cena perform with fantastic chemistry, but the writing falls flat and fails to replicate the enchantment of the original.
This review of the Hulu film Vacation Friends 2 does not contain spoilers.
In the follow-up to the 2021 movie Vacation Friends, Marcus, Emily, Ron, and Kyla are back for another round of the vacation blues. Everyone enjoyed the Hulu original movie, which led director Clay Tarver to collaborate with Lil Rel Howery, John Cena, Yvonne Orji, and Meredith Hagner for the follow-up.
Vacation Friends 2 review and plot summary
Marcus and Emily invite Ron and Kyla, their closest friends, to go on a trip to the Caribbean with them after winning an all-expense paid trip. When Kyla’s father is freed from prison, everything rapidly turns sour and everything is turned upside down.
Although Marcus, Emily, Ron, and Kyla are traveling to the Caribbean together, we learn during the flight that Marcus and Emily won’t be returning at the same time as the others. Marcus wants the troublemakers gone since he has an interview to develop a five-star hotel and doesn’t want them to hurt his chances of getting the project. Naturally, Ron finds some wine when they get to the resort, and they party it up before falling asleep by the pool.
Marcus receives a call from his team the next morning informing him that the meeting has been moved to the following Tuesday. He starts to panic as Mr. Goe, a Kim Wae Group official, approaches him beside the pool to talk. Prior to their meeting with Ms. Kim, Goe lets him know that Mr. Yeon, the project manager for Chicago, is eager to meet Marcus. He also extends an invitation to the four of them to a party later that evening.
The humor and outlandish unpredictability that made the first movie so good were both unexpected. The sequel, though, had a veil of predictability that lingered much too long. The stunts and gags fell flat, and the introduction of Kyla’s father, Reese, was needless in an effort to provide Marcus with more challenges. Even though I usually like Steve Buscemi, he seemed out of place in this movie, and it didn’t help that Reese’s writing wasn’t all that great either.
The relationship between John Cena and Lil Rel Howery is without a doubt the most endearing aspect of the movie. With his insanely funny comic skills, Cena has discovered the ideal acting niche. Howery and Cena complement each other brilliantly because Howery is already one of the funniest actors in comedic roles. I would want to see these two collaborate on a buddy police comedy and leave the franchise behind.
Is Vacation Friends 2 good or bad?
Vacation Friends 2 fails to both live up to and add anything new to the first. It missed all the elements that made the original so exciting and threw it away. However, the entertaining chemistry between John Cena and Lil Rel Howery will keep most viewers entertained throughout the movie.
Is Vacation Friends 2 worth watching?
This is a straightforward movie with just the right amount of humor for the average public, so they’ll like it. However, anyone hoping to experience the same magic as the previous movie would be let down.Vacation Friends 2 joins the group of movies without a need for a follow-up.
How would you rate Vacation Friends 2? Please leave a comment below.
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Additional reading:
- Vacation Friends 2 Ending Explained
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