Review of Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015) by Miguel C — 23 Feb 2015

Another example of a film that didn't need a sequel. The first film was such a surprise hit because the premise and title was just so ridiculous. The first film was just funny due to the friendship amongst Corddry, Robinson, Duke and Cusak (who played more of the straight man), The humor, along with the awkward premise, and the hype for brocentric films that have spawned due to the Hangover (2009). I did appreciate the first film because it was pretty much Back to the future with a hot tub. The film starts with the protagonist at the lowest time in their lives, when they go back in time, there is a huge event that affects the time continuum. Instead of the high school dance its a ski trip. We also have one of the characters performing a song from the future. Both films also end with an alternate timeline that fairs well for our protagonist.

HTTM 2 tried to mimick BTTF 2 with going to the future, and time paradoxes. However unlike BTTF 2 it's not fun. The humor feels forced and there seems to be some lost opportunity in this film. Sure there are some laughs but not as prominent as the first film. A constant gag in the movie is when the guys are joking about something they start off with "You Know you look like", which it started off funny but then it got tiresome when they kept doing it.

The movie starts where we left off, in the alternate present where Lou created the Internet and Nick is continuing his success of doing covers of songs that exist in the prior present timeline. I felt that this was wasted potential for both characters while I felt they should've spent some time in the alternate present, some of the jokes were kinda light. When they go to the future, there are some funny moments but a majority did not make me laugh out loud. I felt that this film had more of a condensed TV production. It would've worked as a TV show but I didn't feel like I was watching a film. The film was short and fast, so it really doesn't take time to play with some ideas of satirizing the future that much. I expected more than, automated cars, ridiculous game shows and sticker hallucinogens. Adam Scott was somewhat wasted potential, he plays it straightforward and optimistic rather than being the sarcastically dark person he's known for playing.

The mid credits scene was funny however this was obviously a rushed attempt to cash in on the popularity of the first film. Everyone knew this film was a one-trick pony, however the writers had 5 years to put together a film. They could've taken the 22 jump street route by utilizing some meta-humor to poke fun at how ridiculous the premise and this film is.