Not sure when the statute of limitations on Kevin Hart runs out, but we may be getting close.
——-
“Think Like A Man Too” reunites the cast from the 2012 original based on a book by comedian Steve Harvey. This time the gang is figuring out the ups and downs of love, relationships, friendship, and marriage on a weekend getaway to Las Vegas, all while trying to make us laugh at the crazy shenanigans they find themselves falling into, and laugh I did, well, at least once or twice.
——-
And that’s the thing, For all that’s wrong with this movie, and don’t worry, we will get to that in a bit, I have to give it that it’s at least funny. And for a comedy, that’s a big deal. Of course much of this rests on the mile a minute cracks of Mr. Kevin Hart who continues to slay me while at the same time making me wonder how much longer I can put up with him. He’s starting to feel like Jim Carrey circa Liar, Liar, where you are just wondering if he has anything else in him acting wise or if he really is a one trick pony. I mean, admittedly it’s a pretty hilarious trick, it just would be interesting to maybe see that pony stretch his dramatic chops, like so many comedians before him have done. It’s not like he needs to go the full “Majestic” or anything, but at least give us a “Truman Show” or something. Of course, truth be told it’s not really fair to focus this much on him when the rest of the cast is doing some pretty good work here too. In fact, I’d say they’re the best thing. It’s a large ensemble cast so I won’t list them all, but I will say that it’s obvious they are having a great time and the chemistry works really well, on both the men’s side and the women’s, giving each of them something fun to do and a story to tell. And so help me, I actually found myself facing some emotion in some of the deeper moments in this. I mean I wasn’t a blubbering mess or anything but there were some touching resolutions that rang true enough to bring on some of the feels, despite how ridiculous the plot around them was.
——–
And it was ridiculous. Of course we are used to this by now, especially with Vegas movies. From the Hangover to Last Vegas, we’ve been to this party before. So it shouldn’t be a surprise when everything starts to go south, and our characters end up in oh so crazy scenarios. It almost feels like these Vegas flicks have a scavenger hunt type checklist they have to fulfill; ups and downs at blackjack table, check, misunderstanding in fancy hotel room, check, crazy run in with boxing celebrity, check. It’s all here, and, honestly, it just feel played out. Not only that but the over the top hi-jinks and silliness take us out of any reality we might have grounded into for the emotional moments. There is a moment in this where the girls are all of the sudden in a music video. No, I don’t mean they wander onto the set of one shooting, I mean a song starts playing in the club, and the movie turns full force into a produced music video complete with side corner credits at the end. What?! I mean I guess it was somewhat funny, but how am I supposed to take anything seriously from that point on? It’s like when you are following a friend driving to an unknown destination and they keep switching lanes as if they aren’t sure where they’re going. Just pick a lane!! It would make the journey so much less frustrating. Either you are an absurdist comedy in an abstract reality or a relationship comedy with something to say, it’s really hard to be both.
——–
At the end of the day, “Think Like a Man Too” is a decently funny movie because of a talented cast with some great chemistry who make the most of a been there, done that plot that stretches believability til it breaks. Even so, I’m going with a generous C+
——–
Thanks for checking out this Your Movie Friend review, stay tuned for this review’s “Best Ever” challenge here in bit but first, I’m going to put up some stuff you can click over in this area. If you’d like to subscribe, which I would much appreciate, you can do so by clicking the big gray subscribe button. Want to see more? The movie Jersey Boys also came out this week so I’ll put a link up for that. You can also Click the logo up here to go to the all new yourmoviefriend.com where you can find a searchable database of reviews as well as the written text of these videos. And finally this review’s “Best Ever” Challenge, where you name the best movie ever in a particular category and also try to identify my choice. What is the “the best vegas movie ever”. Mine is the one that falls just short of the dirty dozen. Drop your own answer and a guess at mine in the comments and first person to guess mine gets a point! Thanks and please subscribe!