Grown Ups 2 Review: Is The Comedy Still Funny?

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

4.8

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The Humor: A Repetitive Formula or Fresh Jokes?

Grown Ups 2 relies heavily on a familiar formula: slapstick, crude humor, and observational comedy targeting the anxieties and absurdities of middle-aged life. While the Grown Ups 2 comedy attempts to build upon the first film's success, it often feels repetitive and predictable.

• Successful Comedic Moments: Some scenes, particularly those involving the interactions between the main characters and their families, manage to elicit genuine laughs. The over-the-top antics, while often juvenile, occasionally land well.
• Jokes That Fell Flat: Many jokes rely on tired tropes and predictable gags. The sheer volume of slapstick humor, while initially amusing, quickly becomes overwhelming and tiresome. The attempt to push boundaries with crude humor often backfires, landing with a thud.
• Comparison to the First Film: While sharing a similar comedic style, Grown Ups 2 lacks the freshness and energy of the original. The humor feels less spontaneous and more forced, leading to a less satisfying comedic experience.
• Target Audience: The humor in Grown Ups 2 is undeniably aimed at a specific demographic: fans of Adam Sandler's brand of comedy. Those expecting sophisticated wit or clever satire will likely be disappointed. The Grown Ups 2 humor analysis reveals a reliance on broad, easily accessible jokes.

The Cast: Returning Favorites and Their Performances

The core cast of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade return, bringing their familiar comedic styles to the sequel. However, the Grown Ups 2 cast performance varies in quality.

• Strong Performances and Comedic Timing: Sandler, as always, commits fully to his character's goofy persona. His comedic timing remains sharp, even if the material itself is lacking. Rock delivers some of the film's funniest lines with his characteristic cynical wit.
• Weaknesses and Inconsistencies: James and Spade, while contributing to the overall comedic chaos, feel less engaged than in the first film. Their characters lack depth, making their comedic contributions less impactful.
• Chemistry Between Actors: The undeniable chemistry between the four leads remains a highlight, even if it's not enough to save the film. Their longtime friendship translates well to the screen.
• Supporting Characters: The supporting cast, featuring Salma Hayek and Maria Bello, provide some much-needed energy and comedic relief. However, their characters are underutilized. The Adam Sandler Grown Ups 2 performance is arguably the strongest.

The Story: A Coherent Narrative or a Series of Sketches?

The Grown Ups 2 plot is thin at best. It feels more like a series of loosely connected sketches than a cohesive narrative.

• Main Plot Points: The film follows the four friends as they navigate the challenges of parenthood and suburban life. The plot points are predictable and lack originality.
• Pacing and Structure: The film's pacing is uneven. Some scenes drag on unnecessarily, while others feel rushed. The structure lacks the focus and clarity of a well-developed narrative. The Grown Ups 2 storyline is disjointed and lacks focus.
• Narrative Arc: The film lacks a satisfying narrative arc. The characters don't undergo significant personal growth or transformation.
• Comparison to the First Film: The first Grown Ups movie had a more clearly defined plot, even if it leaned heavily on ensemble comedy. The Grown Ups 2 movie review plot consistently receives criticism for its lack of substance.

Overall Impact and Lasting Value: A Worthy Sequel or a Forgettable Entry?

Grown Ups 2 ultimately fails to deliver on the promise of more hilarious antics. While the Grown Ups 2 cast provides some laughs, the weak writing and repetitive humor prevent it from becoming a memorable comedy.

• Critical Reception and Box Office Performance: The film received largely negative reviews from critics and, while a box office success, it didn't match the success of the first film.
• Lasting Impact on Comedy: Grown Ups 2 has had little lasting impact on the comedy landscape. It's not considered a classic or influential film. The Grown Ups 2 critical reception was underwhelming.
• Place within Adam Sandler's Filmography: It's a middling entry in Adam Sandler's filmography, further solidifying his reputation for both box office success and critical inconsistency. The Grown Ups 2 review overall is largely negative.
• Final Verdict: While it may provide a few chuckles for fans of the cast, Grown Ups 2 ultimately falls short of its predecessor and struggles to deliver sustained comedic value. The Grown Ups 2 legacy is questionable.

Conclusion

This Grown Ups 2 review concludes that, while the film offers some fleeting moments of humor thanks to its cast's chemistry, its repetitive jokes, weak plot, and uneven pacing ultimately prevent it from being a truly successful or memorable comedy. The film’s legacy is likely to be one of a forgettable sequel. The Grown Ups 2 comedy, while occasionally amusing, ultimately fails to hold up.

Have you seen Grown Ups 2? Share your thoughts on whether the comedy holds up in the comments below! Let's discuss if this sequel deserves a place in your comedy collection, and whether the Grown Ups 2 humor is truly timeless. Join the conversation and let us know – is the comedy still funny?