Grown Ups 2: Comparing The Sequel To The Original

Natalie Brooks

5 min read

Post on May 11, 2025

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Plot and Storyline: A Comparison of Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2

Grown Ups: Recap of the plot, highlighting key elements and comedic moments.

• Grown Ups plot summary: Five childhood friends reunite years after the death of their beloved basketball coach. Their weekend-long reunion is filled with nostalgic reminiscing, childish antics, and plenty of comedic mishaps.
• Key characters' dynamics: The film focuses on the evolving relationships between the five friends, highlighting their individual personalities and the enduring bonds of friendship.
• Central conflict: The central conflict revolves around rediscovering their bond and confronting the challenges of adulthood.
• Resolution: The film culminates in a heartwarming reconciliation and a reaffirmation of their lifelong friendship, leaving the audience with a sense of closure. Keywords: "Grown Ups plot summary," "Grown Ups storyline," "original Grown Ups," "first Grown Ups movie"

Grown Ups 2: Analysis of the sequel's plot, comparing and contrasting it with the original.

• Grown Ups 2 plot: The sequel sees the five friends returning to their hometown, raising their families, and navigating the ups and downs of suburban life.
• Comparison of central conflict: While the original focused on rekindling friendships, "Grown Ups 2" centers around the challenges of parenting and maintaining friendships amidst family life.
• Character arcs: The sequel attempts to expand on the characters' personal lives but some find their character arcs less compelling compared to the first film.
• Comedic approach: The comedic style remains largely consistent but with less emphasis on nuanced humor and more reliance on slapstick and gross-out gags. Plot inconsistencies, such as the sudden and convenient resolutions to certain plot points, weaken the overall narrative. Keywords: "Grown Ups 2 plot," "Grown Ups 2 storyline," "Grown Ups sequel plot," "Grown Ups 2 review"

Overall Plot Comparison:

While the original "Grown Ups" offered a nostalgic and heartwarming story with a solid, if predictable, narrative, "Grown Ups 2" felt less cohesive and relied more heavily on juvenile humor to compensate for a weaker plot. The original's plot was more engaging and felt funnier due to its more balanced approach.

Character Development: How Did the Characters Evolve (or Not)?

Returning Characters: Analyze the development (or lack thereof) of the main characters in both films.

• Adam Sandler's character: Lenny Feder remains largely unchanged, though the sequel attempts to explore his insecurities as a father.
• Kevin James' character: Eric Lamonsoff struggles with balancing family life and his career, a relatable struggle that is handled fairly well.
• Chris Rock's character: Kurt McKenzie deals with his teenage daughter, adding another layer to his character, though the humor is mostly predictable.
• David Spade's character: Marcus Higgins continues his comedic role as the somewhat cynical and sarcastic friend. His storyline remains consistent with his original persona. Keywords: "Adam Sandler Grown Ups," "Kevin James Grown Ups," "Chris Rock Grown Ups," "David Spade Grown Ups," "character analysis Grown Ups," "Grown Ups 2 characters"

New Characters:

"Grown Ups 2" introduces several new characters, primarily the children of the main characters and some additional supporting characters. While some add to the comedic chaos, many feel underdeveloped and serve primarily as plot devices. Keywords: "Grown Ups 2 new characters," "Grown Ups 2 cast"

Humor and Comedy Style: A Side-by-Side Analysis

The Humor of Grown Ups:

The original "Grown Ups" relied on a mix of slapstick, observational humor, and situational comedy, effectively utilizing the chemistry between the five leads. Examples include the infamous water park scene and numerous moments of physical comedy. Keywords: "Grown Ups comedy," "Grown Ups humor," "Grown Ups funny moments"

The Humor of Grown Ups 2:

"Grown Ups 2" leans more heavily on slapstick and gross-out humor, often sacrificing subtlety for shock value. While there are still moments of witty banter, the overall comedic approach feels less refined. Keywords: "Grown Ups 2 comedy," "Grown Ups 2 humor," "Grown Ups 2 funny moments"

Overall Humor Comparison:

The original "Grown Ups" employed a more balanced and effective comedic approach. "Grown Ups 2," while still delivering laughs, often relies on low-brow humor that fails to reach the same heights.

Critical Reception and Audience Response: A Look at the Reviews

Critical Reception of Grown Ups:

The original "Grown Ups" received mixed reviews, with critics generally praising the cast's chemistry but criticizing the film's reliance on juvenile humor. Keywords: "Grown Ups reviews," "Grown Ups critics," "Grown Ups box office"

Critical Reception of Grown Ups 2:

"Grown Ups 2" received even more negative reviews, with critics citing a weaker plot, uninspired humor, and underdeveloped characters. The overall consensus was that it fell far short of its predecessor. Keywords: "Grown Ups 2 reviews," "Grown Ups 2 critics," "Grown Ups 2 box office"

Audience Response:

While both films found a large audience, "Grown Ups 2" generally received lower audience ratings than the original, indicating that audience members also found the sequel less enjoyable.

Conclusion: The Verdict – Grown Ups vs. Grown Ups 2

In conclusion, while both "Grown Ups" and "Grown Ups 2" offer moments of laughter, the original film ultimately emerges as the superior movie. Its more engaging plot, well-developed characters, and balanced comedic style resulted in a more satisfying and enjoyable viewing experience. "Grown Ups 2," despite featuring the same talented cast, faltered in its execution, relying too heavily on low-brow humor and a weaker narrative. The changes made in the sequel were largely unsuccessful, ultimately failing to capture the magic of the original.

So, which film do you think is the better movie? Share your thoughts and favorite scenes in the comments below! And don't forget to rewatch (or watch for the first time!) both Grown Ups movies to form your own conclusions.