BOTTOM LINE: A Roller-coast Ride Of Clichés
Rating: 2.5/5
| Platform: Netflix | Genre: Drama, Romance |
Skin N Swear: Normal For The Terrain With No Nudity
What Is the Story About?
The Kissing Booth 2 takes off from where it left in the first movie. Elle (Joel King) is not sure how the long-distance relationship will work out with Noah (Jacob Elordi) whom she knows is a heartthrob. Trouble arrives in the paradise in the form of Chloe (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) who gets along with Noah.
Meanwhile, Elle forms a friendship with the hottest guy in her collage, Marco (Taylor Perez). What happens when he starts developing feeling for Elle and Noah finds out about it?
Performances?
Joey King, as Elle, continues to dominate the proceedings with her cherubic charm. She is the base on which the entire film rests. Among the three major recurring parts, hers is easily the most impactful and leading portrayal.
The difficult aspect with the part here for Joey King here is to do repeat the same action all over again, without showing signs of the boredom of exhaustion. She does that well and manages to hold the narrative together, at the same time.
Analysis
Vince Marcello directs and writes the second part of the movie, as well. The director now knows the world of the characters inside-out and executes the proceedings, knowing very well the tone and expectations of the target audience.
Vince Marcello keeps the narrative light with the trashy fun tone in place. However, it is not as light as the previous one, though. He packs it with a series of clichés starting from the long-distance one.
Right from the opening, we know where the movie is headed, but the familiarity of the world and the artists and the tropes keep up the flow. The director, on his part, never lets the momentum recede and keeps it going at a steady pace throughout. He slows it down at the right moments to make the narrative breathe, and the actors express the concerns, which admittedly is nothing much.
What works is the fun quotient, music and the chemistry between the different leads. The introduction of the dance element through the character of Marco (Taylor Perez) adds to the fun and the drama. The ‘dance’ forms key point instead of The Kissing Booth here.
The various characters are well defined and also cast to the point of stereotypes. You get what is supposed to be conveyed quickly. The visible emotional appeal is both the weakness and strength of the movie. It could be excruciatingly painful to those who don’t enjoy them.
The biggest problem like the first part is the sheer predictability. You have to be a lover of the genre not to mind it and go ahead with the proceedings. The various dramatic cues and twists etc. are all clichés that we have seen countless times. It also includes a climax at the airport, with a little bit of tweaking.
Overall, if you didn’t mind the first part, The Kissing Booth 2 is more of the same with more predictability thrown in. The little bit of fresh element is also gone. Still, the casting and entertainment make it a passable one-time watch for lovers of teen flicks.
Other Artists?
The new additions to The Kissing Booth 2 are Taylor Perez and Maisie Richardson-Sellers. The former has a bigger and more significant role to play, and he does his part well. The fact that one might end of feeling sorry for him shows how well he has done his part. Sadly, his role gets sketchy and poorly written towards the end. Or maybe it is a set up for the third part of the film. Maisie, on the other hand, gets some moments towards the end. She is beautiful with an instantly winning charming smile.
The other three pivotal characters are essayed by Joel Courtney, Jacob Elordi and Meganne Young. The former two appear predominantly in the first part. Here Joel gets the continuation whereas Elordi has a shorter but central to the story part. They both do their acts well. Meganne Young gets her moments towards the ending portions. The rest are alright, including the OMG set.
Music and Other Departments?
The background score consisting of famous songs are neatly selected. They add to the overall syrupy feel of the narrative. The cinematography by Anastas N Michos is colourful, capturing the spunky and youthful vibe of the setting. The editing by Paul Millspaugh is alright. It keeps the proceedings light and breezy. The writing is par for course with nothing standing out.
Highlights?
Casting
Breezy Narrative
Entertainment
Drawbacks?
Utterly Routine Story
Clichés
Predictable Emotions
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, as a guilty pleasure.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but with huge reservations
The Kissing Booth 2 Review by Binged Bureau
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