Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Dennis Haysbert, Jerry Ferrara, Michael Ealy, Adam Brody

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Ultraviolet, Subtitled

Language: English

Subtitles: Chinese, English, Korean

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13 

Studio: Sony

Release Date: September 16, 2014

Run Time: 106 minutes

 

        Think Like a Man left very little impression on me. On one hand, even had I hated the film, it might have stuck in my memory longer than the generic, mediocre, bland experience I had. In some ways, Think Like a Man Too succeeds as a sequel to that film, because only a few atrocious over-indulgences remain in my memory only days after watching it. It isn’t bad as much as it is offensively uninspired, like a younger and hipper relative to another star-studded Sin City bomb; Last Vegas.

 

        Forgoing the narration formula from the first film, Think Like a Man Too only uses Steve Harvey for a brief cameo. Think Like a Man may have been loosely inspired by Harvey’s book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” but this sequel is more concerned with the characters that added structure to the random theories and stand-up ideas about relationships and the gender war. Or in some cases, the sequel has become more about the actors who were in the first film. Much of this is another over-indulgent and over-improvised performance from Hollywood’s new favorite supporting actor in any comedy, Kevin Hart.

 

        This preoccupation with the actors allows for some moments to highlight the various styles of comedy, and enhances the characters developed in the first film. Then there are the sequences which are simply extended music videos, allowing various actors to sing to popular songs and dance around comically in front of the camera. Mugging for the camera takes on a whole new meaning when Hart shoves his face in the whole frame or when other actors look right into the lens to sing for the faux music video. It is just evidence that even the filmmakers realize that there is barely a reason for a film here, begging audiences to like the result for appreciation of the cast alone. If only the cast was strong enough to make this film endurable.

 

        So, what is the story? In typical fashion of a Vegas film, there are two disastrous celebrations on the evening before a wedding. It is simultaneous bachelor/bachelorette parties which cause all of the predictable hijinks, most of which feel like a watered down rehash of previously utilized comedic scenarios. At the same time as the pre-wedding parties, each of the individuals in the two groups deal with their own personal problems. Dominic (Michael Ealy) worries about taking a job as a chef in Vegas, while Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) simultaneously is offered a job in New York, which could mean the end of their relationship. Zeke (Romany Malco) is also worried about his relationship with Mya (Meagan Good), mostly because of the reputation he has around Vegas for being a player. Others in the group are happy in their relationships, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have problems of their own. Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) is concerned that he may not be a good father as he and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) attempt to have a child, and Michael (Terrence Jenkins) is simply navigating the dangerous battle ground between his mother (Jenifer Lewis) and soon-to-be wife (Regina Hall).

 

          The plot description doesn’t really matter anyway, because every element of the story is predictable enough to be seen coming. It is cliché-addled, and mostly just lazy filmmaking that assumes its audience will be brain-dead. The special features include six deleted scenes, four of which are exclusive to the Blu-ray release. The high definition disc also comes with an exclusive gag reel and entirely unnecessary featurette about Kevin Hart. Also included are three additional featurettes. 

 

         

Entertainment Value: 4/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 2.5/10

Historical Significance:  1/10

Special Features: 6/10



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