Think Like a Man Too

While it's never unwatchable, and even has a couple good laughs, Think Like a Man Too cannot overcome two key problems.  The first is that it is an unnecessary sequel to the pleasant original film from two years ago.  The same cast is back, and they're as energetic and as likable as ever.  However, the script does nothing to advance the characters, or make us stop questioning why we're revisiting them.  The other key problem is that, much like the recent Adam Sandler dud Blended, this is essentially a paid vacation for the cast and crew.  We watch the movie, and we're glad they're having fun.  We just wonder why we're being asked to pay money to see them go on vacation.

The 2012 film (based on a self-help book about relationships by Steve Harvey) followed a group of young couples, and their various trials and tribulations regarding love and communication.  This time, the couples are reunited for a party weekend in Vegas.  Two of our heroes, Michael (Terrence J) and Candace (Regina Hall) are getting married, and the whole gang has gathered for separate guys and girls nights out before the big day.  The first movie actually followed these characters and gave them personalities.  This time, we get to watch them party for a good portion of the film.  You can probably already tell how this is a step down.  They cruise the Vegas strip, they dance on bar tables, they gamble, and they even stage a music video sequence that comes out of nowhere and goes on too long.  All of this adds up to a simple fact - It was probably more fun to make this movie than it is to watch it.

The main reason for this sequel's existence seems to be to cash in on the rising popularity of comedian Kevin Hart, who gets an expanded role from the first film.  Not only does he narrate the film, but he more or less drives what little plot there is, and gets way too much time devoted to his motormouth comic delivery style.  His character, Cedric, is one of Michael's best friends and is set to be the Best Man at the wedding.  Recently single, he decides to live it up in Vegas by overspending on a flashy penthouse suite, and micromanaging his night out with his friends.  All this movie's extended emphasis on Cedric and on Hart's performance proves is that a little bit of his act goes a long way.  Hart seems better suited to controlled supporting roles, as in About Last Night from earlier this year.  When he's given total control of a film, his act gets old fast.

There are a couple subplots that show up throughout the film, but none of them have any weight or consequence.  Michael, it seems, is still under the thumb of his overbearing and scheming mother (Jennifer Lewis), who is still trying to come between her son and his bride.  Ladies man Zeke (Romany Malco) keeps on running into angry former flames while in Vegas, which does not sit well with his current girlfriend (Meagan Good), whom he is trying to propose to.  Another young couple, Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) and Dominic (Michael Ealy) have both been offered high paying jobs that will force them to relocate, and they don't know how to tell each other.  All of these plots are pretty much brought up only when the characters need something to talk about, and are more or less pushed to the side for a majority of the running time.

Think Like a Man Too is the kind of sequel that feels like it can barely figure out why it was made in the first place, other than the fact the original was a surprise hit at the box office.  I have my doubts this one will do as well.  It's an all around lazy project, and while the actors are as likable as before, they're given less to do this time around.  The first movie certainly wasn't anything great, but it at least had something to say.  This sequel is just pure corporate greed, and has nothing to say about anything.  The movie doesn't even have a proper narrative, and just seems to move the characters from one location to the next - a pool, a blackjack table, a strip club, a jail cell, etc.

At the very least, the film is energetic, and never is dull.  It's just sad to see this much energy and flash wasted on such a flimsy script.  When it was over, I felt like I had spent the past couple hours watching someone else's vacation video.  You're glad the people in the video are having fun, but you sort of question why you're watching it in the first place.

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