Review: ‘Think Like a Man Too’ Should’ve Thought Like an Original

Rom-com formulas are pretty simple, take a young couple figuring out if their relationship is worth fighting for, add the misguided advice of a single party animal friend and sprinkle humor throughout. How does Think Like a Man Too ruin this formula? By creating a sequel without providing a new twist.

Michael (Terrence J) and Candace (Regina Hall) are tying the knot in Vegas, and the whole gang is in town for the  occasion. Not-so newlyweds Jeremy (Jerry Ferrera) and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) are trying to have a baby, Bennett (Gary Owen) has finally included his wife Tish (Wendi McLenon-Covey) and that’s about where the interesting developments stop. Most things haven’t changed – Zeke’s reputation continues to impede his current relationship with Mya (Meagan Good), Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) is too focused on her career to focus on Dominic (Michael Ealy) and Cedric (Kevin Hart) is once again estranged from his wife and taunting his buddies for not enjoying singledom.

While Hart’s role as an instigating bachelor was comical in the original film, this time around it’s borderline pathetic. Hart’s attempt to make viewers laugh every two minutes falls flat most of the time, but cast members Owen, McLenon-Covey and Union provide their fair share of zingers.

Think Like a Man Too is all around lazy. Whereas the first film was built around Steve Harvey’s book of the same name, the sequel seemed to struggle from a lack of reference to build a scenario around.  Miscellaneous cameos from celebrities such as Drake, Coco and Floyd Mayweather aren’t enough to make up for the rehashed storylines and never-ending overuse of “white people are corny” jokes. Perhaps had the writers developed new angles and Terrence J done more to distinguish ‘Michael’ from the guy who reports on E! News, Think Like a Man Too may have had a shot.