6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A Portokalos family secret brings the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Andrea MartinComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
There are really no hard and fast rules in cinema, but if one were to argue there were one might point to the notion that sequels rarely live up to, or surpass, the original. Whether the sequel comes hot on the heels of the original hit or more than a decade removed from it, expectations are for a letdown. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, releasing nearly 15 years removed from its classic predecessor, blurs that line. It's hardly a disaster -- it's actually quite strong in spots -- but doesn't ever fully capture the original's charm and effortless, goodhearted draw. The first film remains a RomCom classic, a spirited, healthy, and memorable hit that, on its release, took cinema by slow-drip, ticket-by-ticket storm, evolving into the quintessential word of mouth success story. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which doesn't tell a story, or at least a core "wedding" story, that couldn't have been told closer to the original's release, debuted in cinemas with more fanfare but ultimately less enthusiasm in the long run. Still, it's a pleasant diversion that reunites the original cast, adds in a few newcomers, and makes for a satisfying followup to the original, so long as viewers aren't expecting Greek lightning to strike twice.
What's old is new again.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 arrives on Blu-ray with a pleasing and technically sound yet visually basic 1080p transfer. The movie, which was photographed digitally, takes on a very clean appearance. The image is smooth and noise is sporadic, but no other serious technical issues crop up. Details fare well enough. There's nothing groundbreaking or eye-catching about the way the transfer presents the material, but the basics -- clothes and facial features -- hold up with sufficient high definition complexity. Faces are particularly interesting, with the varied age of the cast and, at times, very heavy makeup application all offering detailed surfaces to explore. Colors are cheerful and balanced. Nothing is too loud. Primaries pop nicely, whether red lipstick, Greek flag blue, or various splashes of color seen on the film's many costumes and locations. Black levels are impressively deep and flesh tones appear neutrally balanced. Overall, this is a solid all-around presentation from Universal.
Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is technically sound but not high-end robust. The movie is largely dialogue intensive, and the spoken word presents with honest clarity, even-keeled center placement, and effortless prioritization. Music largely lingers through the front, particularly overlaid score. There's a good bit of verve to wedding planning montage music midway through the film, and peppy Greek wedding music at the end. Both retain the track's more front-end dominant structure. Mild atmospherics creep into the back, and further in scenes with more sonic density, including in a crowded school gymnasium or outside a church after a service. Police car sirens scream through the stage towards film's end, complete with a healthy bit of zip and movement through the speakers, resulting in the track's single most surround dominant moment of activity.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 contains three supplements. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with
purchase.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 manages to capture the same spirit of the original classic, but it doesn't feel quite so organic, frisky, or honestly all the memorable. As a follow-up, and beyond the rather forced-in plot contrivance that sets the story in motion, the film does well as a generational story of love, self discovery, and learning the true meaning of family and togetherness. The cast is certainly game even if the script isn't always as sharp as it should be. Still, there are plenty of great little touches, touches that respect the original and recall the Portokalos family quirks that helped make the original a classic example of movie magic. This is a fun sequel that's more akin to a quick visit with friends than it is a timeless tale of falling in love for all the right reasons. Universal's Blu-ray is, like the movie, pleasant but hardly exceptional. Video and audio are fine and the supplements are few. Recommended.
10th Anniversary Special Edition
2002
2018
2018
2012
2018
2018
2011
Mastered in 4K
2013
2016
2020
2018
2013
2013-2014
2013
2009
2020
2017
2001
2005
Warner Archive Collection
1986