Review by Jon Donnis
"Vacation Friends 2," the sequel to the 2021 hit "Vacation Friends," endeavours to continue the raucous and comedic legacy of its predecessor. Directed and written by Clay Tarver, this instalment delivers on its promise of risqué humour, but falters in recapturing the original's unadulterated charm.
One of the shining aspects of "Vacation Friends 2" is its unapologetic embrace of dirty jokes and raunchy humour, doubling down on the hilarity that made the first film a hit. The irreverent banter and outrageous situations provide ample laughs, ensuring the film's comedic prowess remains intact.
The chemistry among the four lead performers - Lil Rel Howery as Marcus, Yvonne Orji as Emily, John Cena as Ron, and Meredith Hagner as Kyla - is undeniable and contributes significantly to the film's appeal. The introduction of Steve Buscemi as Reese Hackford adds a delightful twist, injecting the narrative with an edginess that complements the overall comedic tone. Buscemi's portrayal of the acerbic Reese adds a fresh layer of humour to the proceedings.
However, "Vacation Friends 2" struggles to match the unique charm of its predecessor. While the first film was a goofy and satisfying watch, the sequel fails to fully recapture that magic. It treads on familiar grounds, and one might find more satisfaction in revisiting the original film.
In this outing, Marcus and Emily join Ron and Kyla for a Caribbean vacation, leading to a series of misadventures involving old and new characters. The plot weaves around Marcus's career aspirations, Ron's comedic antics, and Reese's unexpected involvement, keeping the narrative lively but not overly innovative.
Overall, "Vacation Friends 2" successfully maintains the humour and chemistry that made the first film enjoyable. While it may not reach the same heights of the original, fans of the franchise will likely find it a worthwhile watch, especially if they're seeking more of the same raunchy and comical escapades.
I score Vacation Friends 2 a fair 6.5 out of 10.
Available to watch now at https://apple.co/3F37YT8 and you can also download the pretty decent soundtrack at https://amzn.to/45id746
