Plot: Two decades after an identity crisis, Anna’s blended family faces new challenges. Tess and Anna discover their past may be repeating with the next generation.
This sequel was Very Good.
Pros: this sequel does deliver on the physical comedy, music, fashion and fun. Jamie Lee Curtis & Lindsay Lohan came back into their roles like time haven’t passed. It was funnier than the first. The drama did feel more compelling, and I like the two girls Harper & Lily.
I came into this sequel as a fresh new viewer to this franchise.
Cons: The storyline can get convoluted at times. Jake felt like a plot device in this sequel. The dad didn’t add that much to the story. The antics getting to those moments in my mind wasn’t natural. The plot didn’t feel different to the first and the fortune-teller didn’t have her comeuppance in my opinion.
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Directed by Nisha Ganatra
Written by Jordan Weiss
Story by Elyse Hollander, Jordan Weiss
Based on Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers
Produced by Kristin Burr, Andrew Gunn, Jamie Lee Curtis
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto & Mark Harmon.
Cinematography: Matthew Clark
Edited by Eleanor Infante
Music by Amie Doherty
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Gunn Films, Burr! Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Cast:
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Tess Coleman
- Lindsay Lohan as Anna Coleman, Tess’ daughter
- Julia Butters as Harper Coleman, Anna’s daughter and Tess’ granddaughter
- Sophia Hammons as Lily Reyes, Anna’s soon-to-be stepdaughter, and Harper’s soon-to-be stepsister
- Manny Jacinto as Eric Reyes, Anna’s new fiancé, Lily’s father, and Harper’s soon-to-be stepfather
- Mark Harmon as Ryan, Tess’ husband, Anna and Harry’s stepfather, and Harper’s step-grandfather.
- Chad Michael Murray as Jake Austin, Anna’s former boyfriend
- Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Ella, a singer who Anna is working with
- Rosalind Chao as Pei-Pei “Mama P”, a Chinese restaurant owner who helped Tess and Anna previously
- Vanessa Bayer as Madame Jen, a fortune teller
- Christina Vidal Mitchell as Maddie, one of Anna’s best friends, lead singer of Pink Slip
- Haley Hudson as Peg, one of Anna’s best friends, rhythm guitarist of Pink Slip
- Ryan Malgarini as Harry Coleman, Tess’ son, Anna’s younger brother, Ryan’s stepson, and Harper’s uncle
- Lucille Soong as Grandma Chiang, Pei-Pei’s Mom
- Stephen Tobolowsky as Mr. Elton Bates, Harper and Lily’s teacher who previously taught Anna
- Elaine Hendrix as Blake Kale
- June Diane Raphael as Veronica
- Aryan Simhadri as Jai
- Jordan E. Cooper as Jett
- Chloe Fineman as GiGi, a dance teacher
- Sherry Cola and George Wallace as the pickleball announcers
- Gigette Reyes as Loretta
- Santina Muha as Judy
Additionally, X Mayo appears as Ms. Waldman, the principal at Harper and Lily’s school. Chris Carlberg and Danny Rubin reprise their roles of Ethan and Scott, the drummer and bassist of Pink Slip. Lohan’s brother Dakota also appears in the film as a surfer. Actress Jodie Foster was approached to cameo in the film, but was ultimately unable to participate.
I highly recommend watching this sequel
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident film reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe