Think Like a Man Too Review
RYAN: If you’d asked me after seeing Think Like a Man if I wanted to see a sequel, I’d have told you no but the movie made bank so here we are – with the same cast and director, but minus a key element – Steve Harvey. The first film was roughly based on his dating advice book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” and his appearances in the first film slowed it down. Right off the bat, this sequel was primed for a better start.
CAROLINE: I remember you thought the first one was too long – over two hours.
RYAN: This one is under two hours and it’s stronger in every way. It’s a high octane, super good energy, funny and sweet movie.
CAROLINE: Well a good runtime certainly enables the potential for that.
RYAN: This movie is quick-paced, witty and fun. Some of the dialogue and jokes move by so fast that I actually wanna see it again to catch more of it. You alternate between LOLing and smiling up at the screen till your face hurts.
CAROLINE: I love it! I love a good rom com. So this one isn’t as cliche as the first?
RYAN: It certainly has its cliche men are from Mars moments and hackneyed rom com in Vegas moments, but it’s a good story and the ensemble is so great, individually and together, that it’s really a winning combo. And the screening I attended had Kevin Hart, Regina Hall and Terrence Jenkins intro the film and Kevin talked about how these films are breaking new ground because they’re crossing demographics. Just because it’s a “movie with black people” in it, doesn’t make it a “black movie.” The story and humor is universal and it’s reaching beyond any typical audience.
CAROLINE: That’s cool. And it’s so true. At the end of the day, a good story is a good story and good writing and performances can appeal to all audiences.
RYAN: The whole shebang is way less about stereotypes and it moves so much better that this time I really found myself caring about these people. I’m into it now. I’d even go for a trilogy here. Just, you can skip the first one.
CAROLINE: Ha. I hear you. Everyone looks bangin’ in it.
RYAN: It’s Vegas – but the costume design is terrific on all the guys and girls, very effortless chic. And there are some fun musical moments. Kevin Hart does a funny nod to a cinematic dance that’s become iconic and the girls also do a whole ’90s MTV throwback that’s just an excellent moment.
CAROLINE: We do love a good musical moment.
RYAN: It’s so meta that the movie mentions Jersey Boys a few times in the script because coincidentally that movie is also opening the same day.
CAROLINE: Random for sure. That can’t have known that whilst filming.
RYAN: I also really enjoyed the subplots; many different kinds of relationships represented. I love Kevin Hart and Regina Hall. They were electrifying in About Last Night and I wish they’d had some more moments like that here but they’re in diff relationships. Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Michael Ealy, Romany Malco – it’s just a huge ensemble – and they all have great moments.
CAROLINE: It is a nice ensemble.
RYAN: It’s so rare that a sequel bests the original – and ever more so when it’s a comedy set in Vegas! But this one succeeds.
N June 26, 2014
Netflix…………