"Vacation Friends 2" is more of the same mediocrity

Vacation Friends 2 (2023)

“Vacation Friends 2” only exists for Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, John Cena, and Meredith Hagner to hang out in a tropical location. Again. As unnecessary sequels go, it’s a strained follow-up to the wacky 2021 romp—a hit for Hulu—that was never as funny or entertaining as it should have been. It was okay for a few goofy laughs and found an uninhibited team in ultimate himbo Cena and the daffy Hagner, but mostly, "Vacation Friends" was just a tolerable, mediocre time-passer. This is just more of that same mediocrity.

The original film’s premise involved two couples, each of them playing different extremes and meeting in the middle. Playing chaos incarnate, Cena and Hagner were the wild types, Ron and Kyla, who love cocaine but love each other more and brought disaster wherever they went. The actors were game and their doubly zany, anything-goes energy could have led to more dangerous and weird places. This time, Lil Rel Howery’s exasperated Marcus and Yvonne Orji’s level-headed Emily hope for another relaxing vacation at a Caribbean resort. They’re quickly blindsided by Ron and Kyla, of course.

The only real differences this time? Ron and Kyla now have a baby boy and have somehow kept him alive, while Emily hasn’t told Marcus she’s having second thoughts about having children of their own. Marcus is also hoping to land a job as the head of construction at the resort, run by a Korean company, and having to compete against Yeon (Ronny Chieng). Then Ron finally meets his ex-con father-in-law, Reese (Steve Buscemi), and wants him to like him. What could possibly go right? Read the full review at GuyAtTheMovies.com

Grade: C

Hulu released "Vacation Friends 2" (105 min.) on August 25, 2023.