‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’ works against the recent surge in Hollywood’s sophomore slumps.
It all started with a wedding. That, and a surplus of Windex. Actress Nia Vardalos brings us back into a world that’s all-too-familiar with this spring’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. Even though we might not belong to any type of Greek descent ourselves, it’s this type of universe that Vardalos seamlessly recreates to our own untainted liking.
In My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Toula and Ian share their now-17 year old daughter, Paris, with the Greek entourage that is Toula’s overbearing family. Nevertheless, in the midst of her daughter’s obsession with building distance in her college life, Toula comes across the lack of a signature on her parents’ marriage certificate. This brings the whole family together to not only put an official seal on Gus and Maria’s affectionate fidelity, but also to solve their own inner dilemmas in the game of love as well.
It’s safe to assume that not much pressure is expected of a sequel in this frame of mind. In other words, this follow-up to the 2002 surprise smash hit has two purposes in mind: 1. Reunite such an outstandingly memorable cast for sentiment’s sake, and 2. fill in the blanks with our own roots.
And that’s essentially the elephant in the room when it comes to the Portokalos clan, this idea of deep-innate roots. Without this fundamental sense of belonging, we’d be left with yet another mediocre excuse for a rom-com (anything for the sake of a quick buck). Yet, with it, we become more than just a snoopy patron of Dancing Zorba’s; instead, we become welcomed, for better or for worse.
Another great factor, as I mentioned earlier, is how the cast has stayed exactly the same since its skyrocket to fame so many years ago. This distinctive decision of repetition almost appears as if the initial film time-warped into the year 2016. With everyone on board, from John Corbett as Ian Miller to Michael Constantine’s Gus Portokalos to even Joey Fatone as cousin Angelo, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 embodies a homecoming sensation like no other.
“I felt that they didn’t overdo it with this sequel. Having the same cast from over 10 years ago was also a really nice touch,” said Shannon Zang, local film buff. “Overall, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is definitely a must-see, even if it’s just for the sentiment.”
Sentiment is the driving force in these 94 minutes of heartwarming bliss. Hence, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is a continual uplift, having you leave the theater ready to take on our own dysfunctional families.
And sure, the movie certainly has its own detailed list of flaws, from sloppy camera angles to tacky set-ups to even commonplace resolutions. Nevertheless, you do not watch the Portokalos family plan a wedding for the sake of art; you watch it for the sake of relatability. In other words, don’t let the number fool you. This sequel is most certainly worth relating to.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is now playing everywhere! Some local theaters include AMC Clifton Commons 16, AMC Essex Green 9 in West Orange and even Bow Tie Bellevue Cinemas 4 in the heart of downtown Montclair. For a list of even more venues and show-times, visit fandango.com today!
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