My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

There were a few skits throughout the movie that were funny but over very disrespectful and horribly written. Nia, what was that? That is not Greek culture especially not the Greek Orthdox faith.

Nia Vardalos captures the unhappiness of Toula who is 30, single ,works unhappily at the family restaurant with no future prospects & dresses to reflect her quiet despair , drowning in the noise of her large , loud , hirsute , intrusive , brash , working-class Greek immigrant family in Chicago, crushed by her dramatic , sweet , manipulative , over- emotional Greek father , who believes that women shouldn't be educated , but must be Greek virgins who marry nice Greek boys & become matriarchs who rule the family kitchens.Toula's father is subverted by her mother & aunt who scheme together , resulting in a new Toula- a woman who takes charge , gets an education , a new job, new friends , confidence & catches the eye of her future husband, played by John Corbett, an easy going high school teacher who adores her & isn't Greek ( to Toula's fathers dissapointment ) but is an upper middle class wasp, with conservative , refined , quiet country-club , lawyer parents. The latter half of the film is about a mildly hilarious clash between the Greek working class and the upper crust prim , polite wasps , with Toula cringing all the way to the altar.

Probably Michael Constantine's last film, as he is 88 and looks it. Most of the other cast (Including Lannie Kazan) look pretty good after 14 years, considering. "Ya-Ya" (the old Greek Mama) would be 100 by now, if the timeline was accurate. Most of the original cast has returned. Almost as much fun as the first one. It's ironic that "Tula" is back, working at the family's "Dancing Zorba" Restaurant again. A very old comedic theme that has been used in so many old sit-coms and old "B" movies: Mom and Dad (in this case) have to get their marriage "renewed" because the original certificate wasn't signed by the minister or the Justice of the Peace. I first thought this was going to be about daughter "Paris" getting married, but she is still a graduating senior in high school. Like revisiting old friends, very comforting but unless you saw the first one, you won't have a clue about what's going on, and probably won't enjoy it. The new "Bundt" cake scene is hilarious as the pan(s) are turned into large wedding decorations with flowers. Yes, those are all Nia's relatives as extras. The same "storefront set" is used again, which may (or may not) now be an actual Greek restaurant? Also it's the same church? Fans of the 2002 movie will love it.

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. There are a couple of interesting "making of" extras discussing how they brought essentially the entire cast back for this sequel. About 13 years ago when I saw the original I recall that I found it funny and totally entertaining. This one is good, but I didn't enjoy it as much. Mainly because I have short patience with overly loud families that intrude into the business of everyone else. I know, that is part of the premise but the first 20 minutes were less enjoyable for me. Often it seems that the humor is being forced and tied too closely to what we saw in the first one.Nia Vardalos, who also wrote the script, is back as Toula and John Corbett is back as her husband Ian. In this story they have an almost 18-yr-old daughter, about to finish high school and go off to college, so they have been married at least 19 years. The excitement has long ago worn off, with both of them always busy, so part of the theme here is rekindling their romance.Toula's father is again played by Michael Constantine, pushing 90, as Gus, and he still thinks Windex can cure almost anything. Lainie Kazan, pushing 75, is back as her mom, Maria. The main wedding focus here is Gus pulling out their old marriage certificate from over 50 years earlier and realizing it was never signed by the priest so he and Maria were never married. He wants to correct that but Maria insists on a genuine proposal and a real wedding.The other main story is about the daughter, Elena Kampouris as Paris. She is at that age where she wants to break free of her parents' influence, and grandpa Gus keeps bugging her about finding a nice Greek fellow and having a family. Overall an entertaining 90 minutes. I always enjoy Lainie Kazan, few realize that in her younger days she was a well-known singer and was actually Streisand's understudy for "Funny Girl" on Broadway. Plus Rita Wilson sings the final song that she also wrote, "Even More Mine" that plays over the credits. I had no idea she is such an accomplished singer, and beautiful lyrics.