Review of The Trip to Italy (2014) by Matt C — 29 Aug 2014

I've watched the first Trip three times on Netflix, and the most recent time, I realized how much heart and character it has. The characterization isn't overstated, the interactions are very realistic, and the gags work about 95% of the time.

This sequel is still very funny and realistic with heart, but it just seems to have diminished a bit. It's very funny and rather well-paced, but the novelty seems to have faded just a tiny, tiny bit.

Full disclosure, I did really like the film. Coogan and Brydon are hilarious and have amazing chemistry, and can still combine overt comedy with more nuanced gags. They have an interesting role reversal throughout which differentiates it from its predecessor, which plays into this movie having more plot than the first.

I do appreciate it, but there's a subplot concerning Rob Brydon that doesn't completely work. (Reminder: it's still very funny and lots of fun). The only problem that keeps me from loving me as much as the first is that they feared that the novelty would wear off so they tried something different, and with that, they cut back on the comedy a tad.

I described the first film as "hysterical," whereas this one is "really, really funny." EDIT: I liked this more upon another viewing, since I caught onto more subtleties and was more prepared for its tone and subplots that are more than the first.

8.6/10, great, (almost) two thumbs up, above average, etc.