Vacation Friendswas a comedy that got swept under the radar in 2021. The film surprised audiences due to its funny performances. The story follows an uptight couple, Marcus (Lil Rel Howery) and Emily (Yvonne Orji), who go on a trip to Mexico. They make friends with a rowdy couple, Ron (John Cena) and Kyla (Meredith Hagner), and have a great vacation. Their random “friendship” takes an awkward turn when they get back home. It received mixed reviews from critics upon release but made enough of an impression for a sequel.
Vacation Friends 2picks up months later with our titular characters. The two families are on a vacation together. Marcus claims to be “floating” on this vacation with his friends. In actuality, he has secretly planned this trip for a business meeting. What follows is another rollicking adventure with the stars we know. At the same time, audiences meet new characters as well. Only one question remains aboutVacation Friends 2: Who returned for the sequel? And who just arrived?
The Original Gang Is Back
This sequel brings back the iconic foursome from the first film. Starting with Howery and Orji, everyone’s favorite uptight couple is back. Unlike the first film, both characters come in thinking they are more relaxed. It is revealed that Marcus is there for a business meeting but still plans to have fun with Ron and Kyla. That is until they leave, so he can focus on his meeting. Marcus and Emily also planned this trip to try and have a baby, even though both do not want to have one deep down.
Ron and Kyla are simply looking forward to having fun with their friends. This includes getting up to avariety of antics. At the same time, this includes taking care of their new baby. Kyla and Ron’s carefree attitude makes taking care of a baby something easier said than done. That is why their friend from the first film,Maurillo (Carlos Santos), is there to help watch the baby. Between his babysitting hours, Maurillo attempts to have his own fun on this trip.
Maurillo does not get in on much of the hijinks inVacation Friends 2. Instead, the character uses his position to his advantage. Maurillo wants to use the baby as a chance to possibly meet someone. His own adventures include some very eclectic hijinks as the film progresses. Simultaneously, it amply leaves the door open for new characters to steal scenes they are in.
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The New Character’s Make an Impression
Any good comedy needs to have some new additions in a sequel.Vacation Friends 2keeps the protagonists from the first front and center. That does not mean the film avoids having new characters. The hard part of these new characters is having a purpose in the story. In this sequel, two new additions, in particular, make a large impression on audiences. The first of which involves a connection to our main characters.
The film’s biggest new additionis Steve Buscemi. Buscemi is Kyla’s father, Reese, who makes a “surprise” appearance for his daughter. He obviously has his own agenda for coming on this trip. While Reese did want to see his daughter, he also decided to do some “business” (which includes a drug deal). His time with our protagonists includes getting to know Ron. Ron boasts that “everyone likes him,” but Reese does not fall for Ron’s “happy-go-lucky” persona. Reese is not the only new addition to the comedy stars in theVacation Friendsseries.
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Malaysian comedian andactor Ronny Chiengrounds out the cast of comedic talent. Chieng plays the character Yeon, who is Marcus’s business correspondent. This part could be clichéd in the wrong hands. He makes an effective and ample addition to this band of misfits with hilarious moments. Those moments make a rather bland character have a personality. Chieng does not have much to do in this smaller role, but what he can accomplish on screen leaves an impression.
Vacation Friends 2has an incredibly well-rounded cast for its sequel. Every actor serves a comedic role in this story. Our original ensemble (Howery, Orji, Cena, and Hagner) makes the material shine. They have a great chemistry with one another that is easily shown on screen.
It helps to have a strong supporting ensemble to round out the herd. The supporting cast helps to make an even larger impression on audiences. Combining these talents makes a substantial impact on the screen. Some cast members are given more to do in the sequel than others. That does not mean the lesser parts are less interesting.Vacation Friends 2has plenty of new and returning stars. Thankfully, the film leaves enough for all the characters to have somefunny and memorable moments.
