I didn’t know what to expect going into seeing this movie. I honestly can’t remember much about the first movie – except for the standout jokes and puns (like Windex for example) and John Corbett eye candy (had a crush since Chris Stevens, so sue me) – I probably wouldn’t have seen this (or that awful Sex and the City sequel either) if he wasn’t in it. I’m happy to say it topped SATC2 … a lot!

Like any sequel, you should never go into it expecting much – or even for it to come close to the original. Very few movies actually live up to its predecessor – and this is how you should look at this. It’s not bad, but it’s not exactly good either.

We begin the movie approximately 17 years after where the first movie ends. The first, being the wedding of Toula (played by writer Nia Vardalos) and Ian, played by John Corbett. He, being a non-Greek vegetarian, and she, from a devoted Greek family. Anyway – spoiler from the first movie – they get married.

Now, 17 years later, they have a daughter, Paris (played by the lovely Elena Kampouris) they’re still living with the family, their romantic-life is all drained and they’re going through the motions of their teenage daughter craving her independence. The sequel, in regards to the title, through an error made by priest who forgot to sign their wedding certificate, it’s Toula’s parents turn to get married.

So, let’s start with the good …

• It does have some funny movies in it (granted, it also has some cringe-worthy, over-the-top, that-would-never-happen-in-real-life moments as well)
• Joey Fatone’s story line made me smile. No spoilers, because feels.
• I may have almost shed a tear. I’m not much of a crier – but at its core, the heart of the story is about family.
• I empathized with Paris and found her romantic story line engaging and sweet.

And, the bad.

To me, it felt like an extra long episode from a television show. Didn’t they learn anything from the failure of My Big Fat Greek Life? Nothing much really happens in the movie. It barely even has a plot and is highly predictable.

The problem with the movie is that it’s so over the top – but looking at it subjectively, it’s meant to be. The movie is meant to be that exaggerated look into that stereotypical Greek lifestyle. (I say stereotypical because, not being Greek, I can only go off what I have heard from friends and interviews from Nia Vardalos).

I would have enjoyed the movie more if it was centered around Paris – I felt that’s where the stronger story line lay. Personally, I also don’t care too much for the parents themselves, so whether they’re married or not didn’t make me care any more for them. The story line of the parents getting married felt forced and unnecessary and only justifiable so they could add a ‘2’ to the original title of the movie. Thus, being able to make a sequel.

If you liked the original, you’ll probably like the sequel – but not as much. I do think every teenage girl can relate to Paris though – whether Greek or not. I don’t have much to say because my feelings towards it was kind of like, “meh”. I could take it or leave it.