Grown Ups 2 Review: Is The Reunion Worth Watching?

Kenji Nakamura

4 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

4.3

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The Humor: Hit or Miss?

Analysis of Comedic Style:

Grown Ups 2 relies heavily on slapstick comedy and juvenile humor, a style consistent with Adam Sandler's previous films. While some jokes land well, evoking genuine laughter, many fall flat, relying on predictable scenarios and tired tropes. Compared to the first Grown Ups, the sequel feels less refined, with the humor often feeling forced and lacking the sharpness of its predecessor. The comedy is clearly targeted at a younger, more tolerant audience, potentially leaving those seeking more sophisticated humor disappointed.

• Successful Jokes/Scenes: The scene with the water park antics and the misguided attempts at parenting provided a few genuine laughs.
• Jokes That Fell Flat: Many of the toilet humor gags and slapstick sequences felt repetitive and lacked originality. Several jokes relied heavily on shock value rather than wit.
• Comparison to Grown Ups: The humor in Grown Ups 2 lacks the subtle comedic timing and observational humor present in the original.
• Target Audience: The film’s humor is geared towards a younger audience with a low tolerance for subtlety.

The Cast: Returning Favorites and New Faces

Performance Evaluation of Main Actors:

The core cast of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Salma Hayek reprise their roles. While their chemistry remains undeniable, their performances are largely inconsistent. Sandler, as always, carries the film with his signature brand of goofy charm, but the supporting cast often feels underutilized. The addition of new cast members brings some fresh energy, but their characters don’t always integrate seamlessly into the established dynamic.

• Individual Actor Reviews: Sandler delivers a decent performance, though his character lacks depth. James provides some comedic relief, while Rock and Spade seem to coast on their established personas. Hayek's role feels comparatively limited.
• Chemistry Between Actors: The established chemistry between the main actors remains a strong point, carrying many of the weaker scenes.
• Contribution of New Cast Members: The new additions bring some energy, but their characters are not fully developed.

Plot and Storyline: A Worthy Sequel?

Plot Summary and Analysis:

Grown Ups 2 follows the same group of friends as they navigate the challenges of raising their kids in the same small town. The plot, while simple, relies on predictable situations and lacks the originality of the first film. The pacing is uneven, with some scenes dragging while others feel rushed. The narrative feels disjointed at times, lacking a clear and consistent emotional arc.

• Evaluation of Plot Originality: The plot is largely derivative and predictable, offering few surprises.
• Pacing and Structure of the Film: The film suffers from uneven pacing, with some scenes feeling unnecessarily long and others too short.
• Logical Consistency of Events: The plot contains several inconsistencies and illogical turns that detract from the overall experience.
• Emotional Impact (or Lack Thereof): The film lacks emotional depth, failing to connect with the audience on a deeper level.

Overall Production Quality: Visuals and Sound

Technical Aspects:

Technically, Grown Ups 2 is competently made. The visual effects are adequate for a comedy of this type, and the sound design is effective in supporting the comedic moments. The cinematography is unremarkable, serving primarily to capture the action. The editing is functional, although it could have been tighter in certain places to improve the pacing.

• Strengths and Weaknesses of Visual Aspects: The visuals are acceptable but not particularly noteworthy.
• Effectiveness of Sound and Music: The sound design enhances the comedic moments but isn’t a significant highlight of the film.
• Overall Contribution to the Viewing Experience: The production quality doesn’t detract from the viewing experience, but it doesn't enhance it significantly either.

Conclusion:

This Grown Ups 2 review highlights a film that ultimately falls short of its predecessor. While the returning cast provides some laughs, the humor is often juvenile and predictable, and the plot lacks originality and emotional depth. The production quality is adequate, but doesn't elevate the film beyond its average script. Ultimately, Grown Ups 2 is a decent enough time-waster for fans of the cast, but those seeking a genuinely funny and well-crafted comedy movie might be disappointed. My final verdict? Thumbs down.

Have you seen Grown Ups 2? Share your thoughts on this comedy sequel in the comments below! Let's discuss if this Grown Ups 2 reunion lives up to the hype, and whether this Grown Ups 2 movie review accurately reflects your experience!