Remember the wild ride that was “Hot Tub Time Machine”? The one where a group of middle-aged guys hopped into a magical time-traveling hot tub and went back to the 1980s? Well, hold onto your swimsuits, because the sequel, “Hot Tub Time Machine 2,” is here, and it’s a bit of a different—and some might argue, less enjoyable—splash.
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While the first “Hot Tub Time Machine” was lauded for its irreverent humor, its stellar cast, and its surprisingly charming heart, the sequel struggles to recapture that magic. It’s not a bad film, but it’s a definite step down from the original. So, if you’re looking for a fun, nostalgic romp through time, you may want to stick with the first film. But if you’re curious about what happened to those hot tubbing heroes, read on for a deep dive into the sequel.
The Time Machine Goes Off the Rails
Adam, The Time Traveler Turned… Well, Not So Much
The sequel picks up years after the original, and things aren’t looking so good for Adam (John Cusack). His career is a mess, he’s estranged from his daughter, and his life is more or less in shambles. Cue the hot tub! This time, it’s not a time machine but a portal to the future. Adam, along with his buddy Lou (Rob Corddry), find themselves in 2025. They’re not the only ones who have gone through the portal. There’s also Adam Jr. (played by a surprisingly funny Clark Duke), Adam’s son, who’s now a young, cocky, and surprisingly successful version of his father.
The Time-Traveling Mystery
The premise of the sequel is that Adam Jr. has gone to the future, messed with the timeline (as you do when you’re a young, cocky, and surprisingly successful version of your dad), and needs the original Adam to help set everything straight. Of course, it’s a whole lot more complicated than that, involving a time-traveling conspiracy, a futuristic lounge where everyone wears neon-colored onesies and the soundtrack is purely 80s retro, and some rather questionable decisions made by the characters.
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The Future Isn’t What It Used to Be
The film takes a satirical look at the future. For example, 2025 is a world where everyone is either glued to their phones or addicted to Virtual Reality. While the movie tries to poke fun at the absurdity of modern technology, the satire often falls flat. We’ve already seen this kind of Future-is-Scary-and-Weird commentary in movies like “WALL-E” and “The Jetsons,” so it isn’t groundbreaking.
The Missing Magic
The Cast
Despite the presence of a stellar cast that includes Cusack, Corddry, Duke, and even a cameo from Chevy Chase, the sequel lacks the chemistry of the original. The characters feel more like caricatures of their former selves, and the humor, while still present, often falls flat. It’s like they tried to force-feed the same comedic formula but forgot to add the ingredients that made it palatable in the first film.
The Plot
As for the plot, it’s predictable at best and more than a little convoluted. The time-traveling complexities get a bit too out of hand, and the jokes, which relied heavily on the novelty of time-traveling mishaps in the first film, lose their punch.
Watch Hot Tub Time Machine Two
The Verdict: Time Travel is Overrated?
So is “Hot Tub Time Machine 2” worth watching? It depends. If you loved the first film and are desperate for a sequel, you might find some enjoyment in the silliness and nostalgia. But if you’re looking for a film that will match the original in terms of humor, heart, and sheer entertainment value, you might want to hold off on the time travel and just replay the first film. It’s not a bad film, but it’s definitely a case of “been there, done that”.
