Grown Ups 2 (2013) Movie Review: A Zany, Star-Studded Comedy Sequel
Released in 2013, Grown Ups 2 is the follow-up to Adam Sandler’s hit 2010 comedy Grown Ups. Directed by Dennis Dugan and starring a cast of comedy heavyweights—Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade—the film brings back the beloved group of childhood friends for another round of laughs, pranks, and slapstick humor. While Grown Ups 2 aims to deliver even more outrageous antics than its predecessor, it’s a movie that’s divisive among viewers, with critics generally panning it while fans of Sandler’s comedy style found enjoyment. In this review, we’ll explore the plot, the ensemble cast’s performances, the humor, and where to stream the movie online.
Plot Summary: A Day of Chaos and Nostalgia
Unlike the first Grown Ups film, which was set during a lakeside summer vacation, Grown Ups 2 shifts the action to the everyday lives of the main characters in their hometown. The film picks up with Lenny Feder (Adam Sandler), who has moved his family back to the small town where he grew up, hoping to give his kids a simpler life. He’s reunited with his childhood friends Eric (Kevin James), Kurt (Chris Rock), and Marcus (David Spade), all of whom are dealing with their own parenting challenges and middle-age dilemmas.
The plot centers around one chaotic day that culminates in a massive 1980s-themed party. Throughout the day, the guys encounter a series of absurd situations, including run-ins with a group of obnoxious frat boys led by Andy (Taylor Lautner), unexpected visits from high school crushes, and the hilarious discovery that Marcus has an estranged teenage son named Braden (Alexander Ludwig), who’s as wild and out-of-control as his father.
As the group navigates these challenges, the film focuses on themes of friendship, fatherhood, and accepting the realities of growing older. However, the main driving force behind the plot is not a deep or emotional journey, but rather a string of comedic sketches and slapstick sequences, designed to deliver laughs at every turn.
Cast and Performances: A Comedy Powerhouse
One of the major selling points of Grown Ups 2 is its ensemble cast, which includes several of Sandler’s long-time collaborators. Each actor brings their own brand of humor to the film, and their camaraderie is evident on screen.
- Adam Sandler as Lenny Feder: Sandler plays the role of the laid-back family man, trying to navigate his middle-aged life with a sense of humor. Sandler’s typical comedic style—ranging from goofy to heartwarming—is on full display here, and while his character doesn’t evolve much from the first movie, he still delivers the film’s emotional center.
- Kevin James as Eric Lamonsoff: Kevin James reprises his role as the lovable and bumbling Eric, who’s still struggling with his weight and self-confidence issues. James leans into his physical comedy, providing several of the movie’s most ridiculous slapstick moments, including a scene where he has an unexpected run-in with a deer in his own house.
- Chris Rock as Kurt McKenzie: Rock plays Kurt, the family man who’s dealing with the everyday realities of being a husband and father. His sharp wit and deadpan delivery contrast with the more exaggerated humor of his co-stars, offering some of the movie’s funniest moments of dialogue.
- David Spade as Marcus Higgins: David Spade’s character, Marcus, is the wild and single guy of the group. In Grown Ups 2, his storyline takes a surprising turn as he meets his long-lost teenage son, leading to a series of awkward and comical father-son moments. Spade’s sarcastic humor shines, and his chemistry with newcomer Alexander Ludwig adds a fun dynamic.
- Supporting Cast: The movie is packed with a roster of recognizable comedy names and cameos, including Salma Hayek as Lenny’s wife, Roxanne, Maya Rudolph as Kurt’s wife, Deanne, and Shaquille O’Neal as the over-the-top police officer, Officer Fluzoo. Additionally, Taylor Lautner plays the leader of the obnoxious fraternity that gives the group trouble, leaning into a more comedic role that differs from his more serious past work.
Humor: Slapstick, Gross-Out, and Nostalgia-Driven Comedy
The humor in Grown Ups 2 is exactly what one would expect from an Adam Sandler movie—loud, goofy, and unapologetically immature. If you enjoy slapstick, physical gags, and gross-out humor, this movie has plenty of it. From a bizarre opening sequence where Lenny finds a wild deer in his house to an extended scene where the group of guys engage in a burping, sneezing, and farting contest, the film is full of moments designed to elicit laughs from the absurdity.
While some of the humor is undeniably low-brow, it’s clear that the movie isn’t trying to be anything more than a fun, escapist comedy. For viewers who grew up on Sandler’s early films, the sense of nostalgia in Grown Ups 2—especially the ‘80s-themed party and numerous pop culture references—adds another layer of enjoyment.
That being said, not all of the jokes land, and the film has been criticized for relying too heavily on juvenile humor and lacking the emotional depth that was present in the first Grown Ups movie. For critics and viewers looking for more sophisticated comedy, Grown Ups 2 may come across as a missed opportunity.
Direction and Pacing: A Series of Sketches
Directed by Dennis Dugan, a frequent collaborator with Sandler, Grown Ups 2 is structured more like a series of loosely connected sketches than a traditional narrative. There’s no overarching story driving the film forward, and the plot essentially serves as a framework for the characters to move from one absurd scenario to the next. While this approach can feel disjointed at times, it also gives the movie a fast-paced and carefree vibe.
Dugan knows how to direct comedy, and he leans into the chaotic energy of the film, allowing the cast to embrace their improvisational skills. This loose structure is both the film’s strength and its weakness—while it keeps the laughs coming, it doesn’t leave much room for character development or meaningful resolutions to the personal struggles introduced in the film.
Critical Reception: Divisive Among Audiences and Critics
Grown Ups 2 was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its lack of plot, reliance on cheap humor, and missed potential for developing the characters further. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a low score, with many reviews pointing out that the sequel lacks the heart that made the first film more appealing.
However, the film performed well at the box office, indicating that fans of Sandler’s comedy style and the original Grown Ups enjoyed the sequel. For viewers who are already fans of the cast and appreciate a light, silly comedy, Grown Ups 2 delivers enough laughs to be an entertaining experience. For others, the humor may feel too formulaic and the film too reliant on gags that don’t push the boundaries of the genre.
Where to Watch Grown Ups 2 Online in 2024
If you’re looking to stream or rent Grown Ups 2, here are some platforms where you can watch the movie online:
1. Streaming Services: Subscription-Based Platforms
- Netflix: Grown Ups 2 is available for streaming on Netflix in some regions. Check your local library to see if the film is part of Netflix’s catalog.
- Amazon Prime Video: The movie is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, either included with a Prime membership or available for rental and purchase.
- Hulu: Depending on your region, Grown Ups 2 might also be available to stream on Hulu if you have a subscription.
2. Rental and Purchase Options
- Apple iTunes: Grown Ups 2 is available for rent or purchase on iTunes, where you can stream it in HD or 4K quality.
- Google Play Movies & TV: You can rent or buy Grown Ups 2 on Google Play, and watch it on various devices.
- Vudu: The movie is also available for rental or purchase on Vudu, offering different viewing formats.
- YouTube Movies: Another option is to rent or purchase Grown Ups 2 through YouTube Movies for easy streaming.
Conclusion: A Lighthearted, Fun Sequel for Sandler Fans
Grown Ups 2 (2013) is exactly what it sets out to be: a goofy, lighthearted comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it may not appeal to everyone, it’s clear that Sandler and his co-stars are having fun with the material, and their chemistry helps carry the movie through its more ridiculous moments. Fans of the original Grown Ups and Sandler’s brand of comedy will likely find enjoyment in this sequel, while those seeking more substance or narrative depth may come away disappointed.
