Think Like a Man Too – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

When a movie is a hit, it makes studios think it garners a sequel. But Think Like a Man Too is the epitome of why too much of a good thing is bad.

Review (with Spoilers)

In Kevin Hart’s final film of the year, I don’t even think you can argue that the man isn’t over exposed. Not only that, but he seems so geared toward his “Big Little Man” persona that it really does make it so moments which would have been funny when he first got big, now they have lost their luster. But with so much talent packed in the film, does the cast find a way to make up for Hart’s overzealous performance?

Characters & Story

The cast is back together for Candace (Regina Hall) and Michael’s (Terrence J) wedding. But, there are so many things which may derail their celebration. Be it Michael’s momma Ms. Loretta (Jenifer Lewis), Cedric’s (Kevin Hart) incompetence, or the personal drama of the groomsmen or even the bridesmaids. For between Maya (Meagan Good) and Zeke’s (Romany Malco) issues of his time as a philanderer; Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) trying to get pregnant, unsuccessfully; Dominic (Michael Ealy) and Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) both having to decide whether to choose love or their career; or even Tish (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and Bennett (Gary Owen) simply trying to be the good example of a functioning marriage, there is a lot of topics covered, a lot of drama to go through, and the question dangling in the air: Will all the couples survive?

Praise

Though Hart naturally is the one which delivers the majority of the laughs, he does share the spotlight quite a bit. Owen, for example, plays his own shtick quite well with being the awkward white guy, and McLendon-Covey definitely sets herself apart from the bachelorette side of the film. But, to me, most of the praise definitely goes to Lewis, Henson, Hall, and Union. Those four women, to me, are what make this film worth watching. For not only are they funny, but they somehow sculpt themselves actual human characters. Ones which have complex thoughts and feelings, and seriously give you a reason, besides being funny, to invest in them.

Criticism

But when it comes to the story of Think Like a Man Too, as with the first film, there isn’t any insightful comments about love nor are there a lot of genuine moments between characters which may make you go “aw!” If anything, each relationship feels shallow due to the attempt to give equal focus to each relationship. Not only that, most of the cast I feel don’t rise above being eye candy. If just because not everyone in the film has comedic talent, and for those who don’t, they remind you that this film perhaps was solely made in hopes of repeating the success of the first film, financially, but without trying to really improve the quality.

Overall: TV Viewing

The film as a whole is decent enough and won’t lead you to checking your watch, but at the end of the day it is the type of film which seems to not pursue being any type of classic. If anything, the product screams all involved trying to cash in on the first film’s success, and putting in the least amount of effort in the process. Which isn’t to say the story is horrible, nor the actors, but when it comes to sequels you just expect progress and things getting better, and while it does for a handful of characters, the rest remain stagnant to the point I felt like the cast was too bloated. Hence why I’m labeling this as a “TV Viewing” type film. It will make you laugh, it made me 30 times to be exact, but it fails to give compelling insight into any of the relationships, and generally seems hardly invested in the majority of the characters really proving why they deserved to have their stories followed up on.