Movie Review # 623: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Well, everyone, today, we now continue with the franchise known as My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Who would have guessed there would be a sequel fourteen years after the release of the classic first film, eh? Well, now, let’s discuss the first sequel to the 2002 classic hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The one, and only My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2!

Plot: Set sometime after the events of the first film, Ian, and Toula Miller (played John Corbett, and Nia Vardalos, respectively once again) have a daughter named Paris (Elena Kampouris), who is in her senior year in high school, and desiring to go to college out of state. This upsets her parents, and her big fat Greek family, as they want to be close to her. Meanwhile, a subplot occurs, in which a certain big family secret is revealed. So now, the question remains, will Paris be able to have her wish, or will the rest of her family succeed in keeping her in Chicago, Illinois? Also, with the family secret revealed, will that deal be solved as well?

So, does this sequel hold a candle to it’s 2002 predecessor? Well, this is one of the many times where the sequel does not? First of all, the film had some unnecessary sexual innuendo moments. Okay, I’m glad that this film got a PG-13 rating simply because of moments like those. Still, did we really need scenes like those, especially since the first film didn’t have those? Like, come on! As for Ian, and Toula’s daughter, Paris, she’s a nice enough character. Still, she seemed to feel a little pessimistic more often than not, and seemed to act like a drama queen a little too much. Okay, I realize that’s typical for a female in high school, but still. It was also a little strange to put in some things that weren’t part of the first film, and make it part of the story as maybe filler to a degree, you know? And another thing! The storyline seemed to feel a little bit like an imitation of the one for the first film, especially since Toula was acting like her father Gus in the first film at points, and things line that. Does that always happen? Maybe! Still, it did also feel rather weird as well. One other thing to mention! Did we really need to have one of the characters from the first film be gay? I mean sure that seemed to be more implied. Still, I’m not sure if any of the characters from this film would have been made that way either 21 years ago, or 14 years before this sequel was released, you know?

With that all said, are there good things in this film? Absolutely! To begin, My Big Far Greek Wedding 2 does succeed in bringing over a great plenty of the comedy, and charm that My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1 had. It’s still funny, which helps make the film very enjoyable. There is also a good amount of character development with both the old, and newer characters. In fact, it was nice to see some of those from the first film get to shine a little more this time around. There were also some very cute moments in this film as well. Additionally, even if the storyline felt very much like a repeat of the first film, there was still heart added to it. One other thing to mention is that it was nice to have messages about how we need to learn to let others go, and spread their wings. Overall, it was also nice to see our favorite characters from the mostly Greek family back on the big screen again.

And that’s my review for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. In the end, did we need this sequel? Probably not! Still, it was nice to see the characters from the first film again on the big screen. The film is still very touching, funny, charming, and still has a few things to like about it, even if it likely could have been better. I would say that if you want to see these characters again, and haven’t yet, definitely give it a go! You’ll definitely enjoy it for the good stuff that this film does have.

Final Grade: B-