Did I show up to this simply for the nostalgia? Yes. Did I think it looked subpar compared to the original judging by the trailer? Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised when this one had a whole lot of heart in it? Yes.
This late coming sequel finds Anna (Lindsay Lohan) as a single mom of a ninth grader. Anna’s mom, Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis), is still writing books and playing therapist to patients but is also helping Anna raise Harper (Julia Butters). Harper dislikes British foreign exchange student Lily (Sophia Hammons). When the two get in trouble for starting a food fight at school, their parents are called in. Anna meets Eric, Lily’s widower father, and they fall in love. A quick montage later, and it’s almost their wedding day, much to the chagrin of Lily and Harper who still hate each other. At their engagement party at Tess’s favorite Asian restaurant (yes that one), another switcharoo happens. This time, it is Anna and Harper who switch as well as Tess and Lily. Twice the chaos, twice the fun.
Lily and Harper finally find common ground. To break up their parents because Lily wants to move back to London and Harper wants to stay in LA. This new found friendship is put to the test when they begin to learn how much their parents love them, and each other.
What I found so surprising in this is that Disney somehow found a way to make this concept seem almost fresh. There are still some over the top jokes about being old that don’t land as well as intended, but that was never the strength of the previous film anyway. The strength of both the first film and the sequel lies in the arc of each character. In what they discover that turns their assumptions on their heads. In what they are willing to do for the ones they love.
I showed up to this expecting Anna to be chasing Jake who I didn’t really like in the first film so color me happily surprised when she instead falls in love with the hot British Asian guy who knows how to dance. I also love that they didn’t make Jake Harper’s father. That would have been too obvious a storyline and kudos to the filmmakers for not taking the easy route.
Anna’s band is back too. Pink Slip is still rocking though her actual job is managing another performer, an over the top pop star hitting the post break up depression. Her story is on the sideline here, and I’m not entirely sure it needed to be in the movie at all, but I’m not too bothered by it.
If you loved the first film, then you’ll probably love this. There’s a blink and you’ll miss it easter egg about Anna’s wedding being on October 3rd. IYKYK wink wink. Also loved to see Elaine Hendrix from Lohan’s childhood movie The Parent Trap in this (she was Meredith in that film). Does this one lean on nostalgia a bit? Yes. Did I mind? Not for a second. I’m just so very happy to have Lindsay Lohan back in top form.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
Did I show up to this simply for the nostalgia? Yes. Did I think it looked subpar compared to the original judging by the trailer? Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised when this one had a whole lot of heart in it? Yes.
This late coming sequel finds Anna (Lindsay Lohan) as a single mom of a ninth grader. Anna’s mom, Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis), is still writing books and playing therapist to patients but is also helping Anna raise Harper (Julia Butters). Harper dislikes British foreign exchange student Lily (Sophia Hammons). When the two get in trouble for starting a food fight at school, their parents are called in. Anna meets Eric, Lily’s widower father, and they fall in love. A quick montage later, and it’s almost their wedding day, much to the chagrin of Lily and Harper who still hate each other. At their engagement party at Tess’s favorite Asian restaurant (yes that one), another switcharoo happens. This time, it is Anna and Harper who switch as well as Tess and Lily. Twice the chaos, twice the fun.
Lily and Harper finally find common ground. To break up their parents because Lily wants to move back to London and Harper wants to stay in LA. This new found friendship is put to the test when they begin to learn how much their parents love them, and each other.
What I found so surprising in this is that Disney somehow found a way to make this concept seem almost fresh. There are still some over the top jokes about being old that don’t land as well as intended, but that was never the strength of the previous film anyway. The strength of both the first film and the sequel lies in the arc of each character. In what they discover that turns their assumptions on their heads. In what they are willing to do for the ones they love.
I showed up to this expecting Anna to be chasing Jake who I didn’t really like in the first film so color me happily surprised when she instead falls in love with the hot British Asian guy who knows how to dance. I also love that they didn’t make Jake Harper’s father. That would have been too obvious a storyline and kudos to the filmmakers for not taking the easy route.
Anna’s band is back too. Pink Slip is still rocking though her actual job is managing another performer, an over the top pop star hitting the post break up depression. Her story is on the sideline here, and I’m not entirely sure it needed to be in the movie at all, but I’m not too bothered by it.
If you loved the first film, then you’ll probably love this. There’s a blink and you’ll miss it easter egg about Anna’s wedding being on October 3rd. IYKYK wink wink. Also loved to see Elaine Hendrix from Lohan’s childhood movie The Parent Trap in this (she was Meredith in that film). Does this one lean on nostalgia a bit? Yes. Did I mind? Not for a second. I’m just so very happy to have Lindsay Lohan back in top form.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Share this: