Grown Ups 2 Review: What Happened To The Grown-Up Gang?

Laila Abdi

5 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

4.8

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The Return of the Crew & its Dynamics

Grown Ups 2 sees the return of the core cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider, reprising their roles as Lenny Feder, Eric Lamonsoff, Kurt McKenzie, Rob Hilliard and, once again, the slightly more eccentric character of his persona, respectively. While the core group remains intact, the absence of certain supporting characters from the first film is noticeable.

• Character Evolution: The characters, while slightly older, largely retain their personalities from the first film. Lenny is still the somewhat immature but lovable lead, while Eric remains the slightly awkward and endearingly goofy friend. The evolution is minimal, which for some might be a positive as it retains the established dynamic, whereas for others, it might feel stale and repetitive.
• Character Dynamics: The friendships remain central to the film's humor. While there are some minor conflicts, the overall dynamic remains largely the same as in the first film. The bromance between the characters drives much of the movie's comedic moments, offering a familiarity that resonates with audiences, or doesn't, depending on the viewer's predisposition to the characters themselves.
• Comedic Chemistry: The comedic chemistry between the actors is arguably the strongest aspect of the film. Their established rapport translates well onto the screen, leading to some genuinely funny moments. However, some viewers might find the humor repetitive and reliant on slapstick rather than wittier dialogue.

The Plot & its Strengths/Weaknesses

Grown Ups 2 follows Lenny as he and his family return to his hometown, where he reconnects with his childhood friends and navigates the challenges of parenthood and suburban life. The plot is largely driven by comedic situations rather than a complex narrative.

• Strongest Comedic Moments: Many of the strongest comedic moments come from the interactions between the main characters and their families, particularly the children. The film utilizes physical comedy, absurd scenarios, and the established comedic timing of the actors.
• Plot Originality and Pacing: The plot is somewhat predictable and lacks the originality of the first film. The pacing can feel uneven at times, with some jokes landing better than others, although this seems to be more of a feature of this style of comedy than necessarily a flaw in this particular movie.
• Predictable Elements: Several elements of the plot feel cliché, particularly the portrayal of suburban life and the struggles of parenthood. However, this is a familiar trope to many comedy films, and does not necessarily detract from its humorous elements.
• Overall Comedic Success: The film achieves moderate comedic success, relying heavily on its cast's charisma and their established comedic timing to deliver laughs. However, the humor is largely broad and may not appeal to all viewers.

Comparing Grown Ups 2 to the Original

Grown Ups 2 is a significantly different film from its predecessor. While the first film had a more cohesive narrative, focusing on a long weekend reunion, the sequel leans more heavily on character-driven comedy and slapstick humor.

• Key Differences: The sequel's plot is less focused and more episodic, with the humor often prioritizing slapstick over witty dialogue. The characters have aged, but their personalities remain largely unchanged, which is a point of contention amongst viewers.
• Superior Film?: Whether the original or the sequel is "better" depends entirely on viewer preference. The first film is often lauded for its tighter plot and more balanced humor, whereas the sequel prioritizes raw comedic energy.
• Reasons for Changes: The shift in tone and plot could be attributed to several factors, including the evolution of the cast's comedic styles and the changing trends in comedy films.

The Supporting Cast and their Impact

The supporting cast, including Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, and several child actors, plays a significant role in the film's comedic success. Their interactions with the main characters provide opportunities for additional humor, particularly the moments of chaos and mayhem created by the children. The supporting characters do, however, tend to be one-dimensional, serving largely to support the main comedic plots driven by the main characters.

Critical Reception & Box Office Performance

Grown Ups 2 received largely mixed reviews from critics. Many praised the cast's chemistry and the film's comedic moments, while others criticized its predictable plot, unoriginal humor, and reliance on slapstick.

• Box Office: While the film performed reasonably well at the box office, it didn't reach the heights of the original. This could be attributed to several factors, including audience fatigue with the formula, increased competition, and perhaps a slight shift in audience taste.
• Success/Failure Analysis: The film's moderate commercial success suggests that there's still an audience for this type of broad, character-driven comedy. However, its critical reception highlights the limitations of relying solely on established comedic talent without a more compelling narrative.

Conclusion

This Grown Ups 2 review reveals a sequel that, while providing some laughs thanks to the undeniable chemistry of its cast, ultimately fails to recapture the magic of the original. The film's predictable plot, reliance on broad humor, and lack of significant character development leave it feeling somewhat lackluster compared to its predecessor. While the comedic moments delivered by the established cast remain effective, the overall film falls short of expectations.

Have you seen Grown Ups 2? Share your thoughts on this comedy sequel and whether it lived up to expectations in the comments below! Let's discuss this Grown Ups 2 review and debate the fate of the grown-up gang.