RIDE ALONG 2 (2016) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Ice Cube | Kevin Hart | Ken Jeong
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The hosts found 'Ride Along 2' more fun and action-oriented than the original.
- ❖Kevin Hart's character, Ben, is praised for his physical comedy and the hosts' enjoyment of his portrayal.
- ❖Ice Cube's 'understated' acting effectively complements Hart's high energy.
- ❖Ken Jeong's character, AJ, is considered a valuable and hilarious addition to the cast.
- ❖The film's editing is heavily criticized for being too fast, resembling 'social media editing,' which detracts from comedic beats.
- ❖Olivia Munn's character, Detective Cruz, was seen as underutilized, with the hosts wishing she had more to do.
- ❖The plot was largely predictable, a characteristic shared with the first 'Ride Along' film.
- ❖A 'Ride Along 3' is desired, with ideas for Ben's character to navigate fatherhood and family life.
Insights
1Overly Aggressive Editing Undermines Comedy
The hosts repeatedly criticized the film's fast-paced, 'social media-like' editing, arguing it moved too quickly through scenes, especially comedic moments. This rapid cutting prevented jokes and character reactions, particularly Kevin Hart's, from fully landing and being appreciated by the audience.
Vivian states, 'It was edited almost like someone on Coke was editing sometimes. I'm like, this is way too fast for what this is. It felt like social media editing a little bit.' Jabby adds, 'The movie is just trying to get out the door as fast as possible.'
2Ken Jeong's Character Elevates the Ensemble
Ken Jeong's portrayal of hacker AJ is highlighted as a significant improvement over his previous roles, effectively adding to the film's humor without being 'too much.' His character is seen as a strong, almost 'Joe Pesci-like' addition to the dynamic.
Vivian notes, 'He did such a good job of adding to the film because normally when he shows up I get a little bit of apprehension 'cuz I'm like he can be a lot... here I thought he added to things exceptionally.' Jabby compares him to 'the Joe Pesci character of the Lethal Weapon series.'
3Underutilization of Olivia Munn's Character
Despite her strong presence, Olivia Munn's character, Detective Cruz, felt underwritten and sidelined as the movie progressed. The hosts wished for more substantial involvement and character development for her.
Vivian expresses, 'I wish she was just like given more to do... I definitely wanted more from her character.' Jabby observes, 'as the movie went along, it felt like they were trying to cut away from her as fast as possible.'
4Ice Cube's Understated Acting Style
Ice Cube's consistent, understated acting approach is praised for effectively complementing his co-stars, particularly Kevin Hart's energetic performance. This dynamic works well for the action-comedy genre.
Jabby states, 'Every time Ice Cube signs up for a film, it seems like he does a good job of just understanding what his role is in that dynamic... he just owns it very effectively.'
5Desire for 'Ride Along 3' with Evolving Character Arcs
The hosts express a strong desire for a third installment, suggesting a natural progression for Kevin Hart's character, Ben, into fatherhood. This would introduce new comedic and dramatic stakes, evolving the franchise beyond its current buddy-cop formula.
Jabby speculates, 'Wouldn't it be hilarious to see Ben be a dad and then, you know, his partner being an uncle and trying to like navigate that part of their lives now where they're like really family people and they have to like be safe and even more careful.'
Notable Moments
The hosts' strong reaction to the opening action sequence, comparing it to 'Fast and Furious.'
This sets the tone for the movie's increased action focus and immediately hooks the hosts, indicating a positive shift from the first film.
Discussion of Ben and Angela's implausibly lavish lifestyle on police and teacher salaries.
This highlights a common movie trope where character finances don't align with their depicted living standards, leading to a humorous, albeit minor, critique of realism.
The hosts' shared frustration with the film's rapid editing style, likening it to 'social media editing.'
This points to a broader trend in modern filmmaking and how it can impact comedic timing and audience engagement.
Quotes
"This almost feels like Fast and Furious. Absolutely. Like if you just showed me this, I would have thought it was a clip from Fast and Furious."
"I think it was Ken Jong in his standup special who was like, 'Asian guys and black women are statistically the least likely to get married. Why don't we get together? Let's change those numbers, baby.'"
"Kevin Hart was next to useless after getting this rolling."
"It was edited almost like someone on Coke was editing sometimes. I'm like, this is way too fast for what this is. It felt like social media editing a little bit."
"Every time Ice Cube signs up for a film, it seems like he does a good job of just understanding what his role is in that dynamic, whatever it might be. He just owns it very effectively."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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