ReelBob: ‘Happy Death Day 2U’ ★★½
By Bob Bloom
“Happy Death Day 2U” is a goofy sequel, but, smartly, it embraces that concept wholeheartedly.
Even if you have not seen the first movie, a flashback-exposition sequence quickly gets you caught up and then proceeds on its own crazy path.
The movie’s concept is part “Groundhog Day” with a shaker of “The Butterfly Effect,” as Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe), as she did in the original, relives the same day over and over, trying to keep from being murdered.
In this case, however, characters and events are changed, but the overall premise remains.
The movie has more attitude than just a horror-slasher concept, as Tree finds her world disrupted, her friends changed in various ways and her life in danger again and again.
The tension and suspense of this sequel is in not unmasking the killer — or even revealing if Tree survives — but whether how — and if — she can figure out how to set her world aright.
An appealing aspect of the film is the comfort and familiarity it affords. Beside Rothe, other returning characters include Israel Broussard’s Carter, Ruby Modine’s Laura, Charles Aitken’s Gregory, Rachel Matthew’s Danielle and director Christopher Landon.
Joining “Happy Death Day 2U” are Phi Vu, Suraj Sharma and Sarah Yarkin as a trio of nerdy science students who create havoc for Tree, but also help her return to normalcy.
The trio also endear themselves with just enough humor that they do not become obnoxious.
Thankfully, “Happy Death Day 2U” knows its place, so does not take itself too seriously. It has a comic book sensibility and vibe — like a 1950s’ “Tales from the Crypt” entry. A montage of Tree selecting various methods of sacrificing herself to help accelerate a solution to her problem is cinematically smart and witty.
The acting is broad, a lot of shouting, hand motions and some mugging, but rather than be a distraction, it’s a perfect complement for the overall tone of the movie.
Another plus in the movie’s favor is that its violence is rather tame. Sure, people are stabbed, bludgeoned and shot, but without the usual fountains of blood spewing from various bodily orifices. That is a welcome change from many of the projects in the genre.
“Happy Death Day 2U” is an amiable B-movie. It entertains and satisfies — and taxes neither your mind nor your patience.
It’s simply an enjoyable excursion to while away a couple of hours and help you forget the cold, dreary winter season.
I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U
2½ stars out of 4
(PG-13), violence, language, sexual material and thematic elements