Happy Death Day 2U - Movie Review

When Happy Death Day hit theaters, I was pleasantly surprised. The film was more Ground Hog Day than it was slasher. But the slasher elements worked. The film managed to package suspense, teen angst and a peppering of romance into an interesting and shockingly fresh package. Unfortunately, sequels are never unique. While Happy Death Day 2U attempts to add new elements to the franchise, it seems to have lost its luster.

Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) had a tough birthday. After repeatedly dying over-and-over, she has broken the loop and has lasted into a new day. Unfortunately, it appears she has passed the loop on to Ryan Phan (Phi Vu). Ryan is Carter Davis' (Israel Broussard) roommate. Carter is Tree's boyfriend. When Tree learns that Ryan is caught in a death loop, she explains her own experience and learns that the entire episode was triggered by a science experiment gone wrong. In tinkering with the source of their problems, the college students poke a hole through the multiverse. Fixing this compounded problem requires an incredible feat of memorization and some tough choices. Tree must navigate her own emotions as well as battling bad guys and solving the mystery of alternate dimensions. All in a day's work. When that day is repeated over-and-over-and-over...

I enjoyed the writing in the original film. Scott Lobdell created the original script. He is only credited with creating the characters for the current film, indicating that Director Christopher Landon created the script for the sequel. I can't help but think the sequel would have been better had Lobdell written the screenplay. This film lacked the tension of the first film. It was missing some of the magic, as well. There was a campy quality in the original that was endearing. The dialogue was sharp, too. This version felt contrived. While the stakes are raised, it tipped past that narrow line between campy and ridiculous. I enjoyed the variations created by the multiverse, but the execution lacked impact.

Casting was also an issue in this film. While many of the same actors returned, albeit in mildly altered roles, the acting seemed off. Phi Vu had a greater role in this film. He was okay, but nothing special. At least he delivered his lines well. The Dean (Steve Zissis) was horrible. His performance was as awkward as his role. The irate dean intent on shutting down the science project. He was a particularly horrible aspect of this version of the franchise. I doubt there will be a sequel, but if there is, they need to lose this character. I also thought Sarah Yarkin seemed out-of-place as fellow science club nerd "Dre." Luckily, Rothe was her usual lovable self. She isn't drop-dead gorgeous, but she has a special quality that translates well on film. She carried this film, which needed as much help as it could get.

For a slasher, Happy Death Day 2U landed a PG-13 rating. That is largely because this film was more drama than slasher. It felt more Weird Science at times than anything. It had a juvenile quality that the first film didn't project. The rating is thematic. There is plenty of death, although none of it gory. There is plenty of sexual innuendo, but no sex or nudity. There is a little bit of strong language and vulgar gestures. Overall, this film is tame for a slasher-style film. I would recommend tweens, teens and older. Run time is one hour, forty minutes.

Happy Death Day 2U lacks some of the magic I felt from the first film. I rated the first film higher than IMDb. I thought it had some brilliant elements. It was engaging and fresh. This version has an engaging lead character, but the acting and contrivances hurt this sequel. They elevated characters that were not interesting, delivering performances and dialogue that felt lazy and predictable. The contrivances may have worked in a script that cared just a little bit more about the characters. Not the increased dramatic elements, but more allowing the characters to be engaging. Dialogue had a lot to do with the issues. Heavy handed development of the story also hurt the end product. Mildly recommended. 6/10.

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