A One Mann’s Movies review of “Murder Mystery 2” (2023).
I must admit I never saw the original “Murder Mystery” from 2019: it requires a certain amount of willpower from me to sit and watch an Adam Sandler comedy. But here comes the sequel, imaginatively called “Murder Mystery 2” (even though there isn’t a mystery involving a murder!).
The movie is currently streaming on Netflix.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
The professional sleuthing couple, Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler) and Audrey Spitz (Jennifer Aniston), are struggling to make a go of their detective agency. But when they are invited to the wedding of their friend The Maharajah (Adeel Akhtar) on his private tropical island they get a chance to put their skills to work as a murder and a kidnapping occur.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “Injury detail, sex references, language, threat, violence”).
Talent:
Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Mark Strong, Adeel Akhtar, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith, John Kani, Kuhoo Verma, Dany Boon, Enrique Arce.
Directed by: Jeremy Garelick.
Written by: James Vanderbilt.
Twitter Handle: #MurderMystery2.
From Left: Zurin Villanueva, Jodie Turner-Smith, Kuhoo Verma, Jennifer Aniston, Mark Strong, Adam Sandler and Enrique Arce. (Source: Netflix).
“Murder Mystery 2″ Review:
Positives:
- As a comedy it was really borderline on the “6 laughs test”. But some of the 6 laughs were good ones: from the exotic animals all wearing nappies (to keep the paradise poop free), through the speedily displayed photo-framed snap of Nick whilst mid-‘roofied’ to Colonel Ulenga (John Kani) being shot in his good arm!
- Some of the stunt work in Paris is well-done, and (as in the recent “John Wick Chapter 4“) the stunt team deserve their pay, particularly for an out-of-control van ride.
- The finale, set at the top of the Eiffel Tower, is ludicrous but surprisingly entertaining.
Negatives:
- My biggest negative is Adam Sandler whose delivery style just sets my teeth on edge for some reason. (This is probably a personal thing and due to the 200 times I’ve been forced to watch “50 First Dates”: one of the illustrious Mrs Movie Man’s favourite films).
- The writing for the group “whodunnit” scenes make “Glass Onion” look like Shakespeare.
- Enrique Arce’s over-sexed character Francisco seems curiously out-of-tone for a film made in 2023, particularly when he suggests putting a baby in the 54-year old Aniston. I’m surprised Aniston agreed to the line being included.
Summary Thoughts on “Murder Mystery 2”
It’s a pretty harmless piece of Netflix pap. I ironed my big pile of shirts to it and it kept me moderately entertained. But definitely in a very non-demanding way. It’ll not last long in my memory. But I HAVE laughed less at films described as so-called comedies.
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Trailer for “Murder Mystery 2”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM2F56uK0fs .
