Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Movie Review

Think McFly, think!

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 11, 2014

If "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," as Narrator Cedric (Kevin Hart) not-so-elequently points out less than a minute into the film, then why is there a movie about what happened in Vegas? For the lolz, apparently. Think Like a Man Too, the follow-up to Think Like a Man, sees the same gang return for a Vegas wedding and getaway. Things predictably go awry and characters predictably evolve and strengthen their friendships and loves along the way. The film is, sadly, as predictable as it sounds, the beneficiary of scattered laughs, good cast chemistry, and a few nicely developing characters, but the picture is otherwise a vacuous experience, one that leans heavily on genre and Vegas stereotype in an effort to generate laughs where plenty of films have found laughs before.

The girls.

Candace (Regina Hall) and Michael (Terrence J) are getting married, where else, in Las Vegas. The entire crew has arrived to take part in the festivities, but almost before they can say "hello" the men and women pair off and go their own separate ways. The ladies' plans for a wild night are thwarted by Michael's mother Loretta (Jenifer Lewis), an overpowering type who will see to it that things stay clean. The guys, meanwhile, find themselves constantly tempted by Vegas' offerings, except for Bennett (Gary Owen) who would rather see a show on the strip than strippers on show. Meanwhile, Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) are taking the trip as an excuse to make a baby. Dominic (Michael Ealy) and Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) are offered significant employment opportunities in the midst of the madness. Cedric (Kevin Hart), the group's boisterous heart, finds himself in deep trouble and deeper debt for having splurged on the trip on someone else's dime.

"Misadventures in Vegas" films are nothing new and the modern cinema landscape seems, if not littered with them, like it's starting to accumulate a neat little pile of them. There are, of course, the fan-favorite The Hangover, the charming Last Vegas, and, of course, What Happens in Vegas. And that is only scratching the surface of Sin City's dominant role in American Comedy cinema. So a movie like Think Like a Man Too desperately needs to do something to get out from under the shadow of its modern contemporaries, to do something to re-energize an increasingly tired setting and plot driver. Last Vegas succeeded with an A-list cast, timely humor (who can forget the amazing 50 Cent cameo near the end?) and a tremendous amount of heart, for example. Think Like a Man Too has all of that, but not in nearly sufficient quantities. The cast is solid, not legendary; the humor is hit-or-miss (and the cameo comes in the person of Boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.); and the heart, even as it beats to a fairly consistent rhythm, feels like it's been forcibly transplanted into the movie. It's a typical "Vegas"-style experience, the sort where all of the predictable shenanigans interfere with the best laid plans of brides and grooms and all of their friends, yielding a movie that's serviceable in total, good in spurts, but barley able to distinguish itself from typical genre fodder.

The catch here, basically, is the catch in most of these sorts of movies: characters appear in Vegas with an agenda that gets derailed by any number of occurrences, some to humorous result and some to the benefit of character growth, but mostly towards the former. Think Like a Man Too, then, lacks much of a structure. It's more a collection of momentary antics that lead the film but don't build it. It relies on the last film to define the characters and this film to simply follow them along on their various misadventures and personal crises that spring up at the most inopportune times, from dealing with the ramifications of a sudden job offer to fending off a nagging would-be mother-in-law. As plans are continuously foiled, the characters resort to more drastic measures to regain their footing and save any last semblance of bachelor and bachelorette fun they've planned, which includes the film's best asset in the form of Dennis Haysbert's baritone savior. The cast at least seems to have fun with the hijinks and humor. The returned primaries all fit rather comfortably back into their roles, even if the roles are fairly shallow and they're not all that far removed from their work on the first film.

Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This one's pretty easy to review: there's nothing wrong with it. Think Like a Man Too sparkles on Blu-ray to the tune of 1080p perfection. The HD video source is as clean as a whistle but never particularly flat or smooth. Details are complex, from starched shirts to faces, from fancy Vegas penthouse appointments to smeary stains on prison walls. Colors are bold and lively, whether attire, bright city lights, or those same hotel accents. Black levels are deep and pure, while flesh tones appear natural. The image is free of any nagging anomalies. All in all, a perfect picture from Sony.

Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Think Like a Man Too's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is crisp and satisfying. While it's not completely immersive at all times, it captures the mood-shaping sounds of Vegas very well, from bustling casinos to passing traffic. Music delivery is smooth and satisfying, enjoying precision clarity and effortless spacing across the front, filling in with a healthy surround support element. Deeper, more lively Pop numbers -- such as an impromptu cast-made music video of Bel Biv DeVoe's "Poison" -- are exceptionally reproduced with high energy, commendable clarity, and volume to spare. Dialogue delivery is accurate and smooth as it flows from the center channel.

Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Think Like a Man Too contains a handful of featurettes, a gag reel, and deleted scenes. A UV digital copy code is included in the case.

• Gag Reel (1080p, 4:33).
• Deleted Scenes (1080p): The Girls Discuss Miss Loretta (1:16), Flashing Boobs on the Party Bus (1:36), Original Scene with Husband and Son of Zeke's Ex (2:16), Dominic Visits the Kitchen (0:23), Strip Club Virgin (1:23), and Guys and Gals in Jail (0:25).
• Think Like a Man Too According to Kevin Hart (1080p, 5:06): The actor provides a script page-by-page summary of the movie.
• The Ultimate Sequel (1080p, 10:44): Cast and crew discuss the process of building a sequel, story dynamics, character development and progression, cast camaraderie, Director Tim Story's work, and more.
• Lights, Camera, Vegas! (1080p, 6:06): A look at Vegas' role in the film and shooting in it.
• Comedy Las Vegas Style (1080p, 8:48): Cast and crew offer an off-beat collection of interviews spliced together with fun behind the scenes footage.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

Think Like a Man Too Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Think Like a Man Too is relatively safe adult entertainment, a film that pushes no boundaries and does little to build its characters. It's happy to strain them for comedic gain and push them for dramatic gain, all of which resolve rather predictably and linearly. It's well made and nicely performed, but it's also a fairly generic effort that satisfies while it's on but that won't leave a lasting impression after it's over. Sony's Blu-ray release of Think Like a Man Too delivers spotless video, good audio, and a few supplements. Fans can buy without hesitation, and a rental paired with the original is the broader recommendation.