“Hilarity Amid Chaos: A Review of ‘Vacation Friends 2’ – A Last Resort Filled with Laughter”

2023 Films and TV Shows to Watch:

Horror Movies:

• Bottoms
• Scrapper
• Ahsoka
• Strays

‘Vacation Friends 2’ Review: Last Resort

Sitcom-grade setups and predictable punchlines make a chore of this blithe, freewheeling comedy sequel.

Review by Calum Marsh

August 25, 2023

The 2021 comedy “Vacation Friends” had a premise so thin that it scarcely counts as high concept: One couple befriends another couple on holiday, only to realize that the other couple is a little too wild. It worked, just barely, because the couples were played by Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, Meredith Hagner and John Cena, all of them funny and charming with bubbly, upbeat chemistry. The story of clashing personalities and adventures gone wrong was dull and uninspired, but the cast members, clearly enjoying themselves, kept things brisk and mildly entertaining.

That cast returns for “Vacation Friends 2,” a perfunctory sequel with an even duller story. (The first movie’s director, Clay Tarver, returns too.) Howery and Orji, as the timid newlyweds Marcus and Emily, are off on another holiday with their kooky friends Ron and Kyla (Cena and Hagner), this time at a luxury resort in the Caribbean. They’re joined by Kyla’s father, Reese (Steve Buscemi), a squirrelly man with a criminal past whose approval Ron desperately seeks, and by Yeon (Ronny Chieng), a testy owner of the resort, with whom Marcus hopes to land a business deal. Marcus’s efforts to woo Yeon, as well as Ron’s campaign to win over his skeptical father-in-law, are nothing more than glorified sitcom plots, and as the harried friends careen across the resort through a series of comical mishaps, the movie has the feel of a TV rerun.

More compelling are the too-rare moments of plotless leisure, when the charismatic holidaymakers guzzle rum, snort cocaine and just riff. Cena manages to squeeze a very funny bit from the action of picking up a brunch menu — no artificial dramatic stakes necessary.

Movie Details:

• Directed by: Clay Tarver
• Writers: Clay Tarver, Tom Mullen, Tim Mullen, Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley
• Stars: Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena, Meredith Hagner, Steve Buscemi
• Rating: R
• Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime

Note: This movie contains strong language, sexual content, action violence, drug use, and more holiday debauchery.

Watch on Hulu:

https://www.hulu.com/vacation-friends-2

Editorial Opinion: This Destination May Be New, but Everything Else Feels So Familiar

It is unfortunate to report that “Vacation Friends 2” fails to live up to the charm and humor of its predecessor. The thin premise and lackluster storyline make the film feel like a rehash of tired sitcom plots. While the talented cast members manage to bring some moments of laughter and levity, it is not enough to salvage the overall experience.

The comedic chemistry between Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, Meredith Hagner, and John Cena is still present, but the screenplay does not offer them much to work with. The attempts to create dramatic tension and emotional stakes fall flat, and the plotline feels contrived and predictable.

However, there are fleeting moments of enjoyment in the film. The characters’ carefree and wild antics provide some amusement, particularly when they let loose and indulge in rum and humor. John Cena, in particular, shines with his comedic timing and physical presence, proving once again that he is a versatile actor.

Ultimately, “Vacation Friends 2” may appeal to fans of the first film who simply want to see more of the same characters and their hijinks. But for those seeking a fresh and innovative comedy, this sequel may disappoint. It is a missed opportunity to build upon the potential established in the original “Vacation Friends.”