‘Think’ falls short on original thought
Sequels, as “22 Jump Street” joked, are always “the same, only worse.”
So any pretense of insight into the battle of the sexes and any real connection to stand-up comic turned self-appointed relationships expert Steve Harvey’s book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” is long forgotten in “Think Like a Man Too,” the sequel to the surprise hit of two springs back.
Kevin Hart has become the break-out star of this ensemble, so “Too” is basically a vehicle for the Manic Little Man – with Las Vegas as the playground for this “Bridesmaids” meets “The Hangover.”
This generally mild-mannered comedy sinks or swims on Hart’s back. And as one scene makes clear, Little Man can’t swim.
Our “Think Like a Man” couples head to Vegas, where Candace (Regina Hall) and Michael (Terrence Jenkins) are getting married.
Cedric (Hart) has been mistakenly named Best Man, and is spending every cent he’s got – and then some – for a bachelor party for the ages for Michael, with Dominic (Michael Ealy), “Zeke the Freak” (Romany Malco), Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and Bennett (Gary Owen) along for the ride. Business executive Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) has set up a bachelorette party for Candace, Mya (Meagan Good), Kristen (Gabrielle Union), Tish (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and Sonia (La La Anthony). If only the groom’s overbearing mom (Jenifer Lewis) will let her.
Hart’s Cedric narrates the tale, which feebly grasps at basketball metaphors to “keep score” as the two ensembles head out into the Sin City night. Cedric nags the groom: “You’ve got the rest of your life … to follow this woman around the grocery store.”
And he needles their posse for their lack of party prowess. “I’m SICK of this NON-tourage.”
Introduce strains in the careers/lives of chef Dominic and workaholic Lauren, baby-making efforts for “bossy” Kristen and stoner Jeremy, and Cedric’s own “we’re on a break” marriage. Throw in some weak Vegas cameos (Floyd Mayweather, Drake) and assorted overly familiar gambling scenarios, a funny “ladies lip sync Bel Biv Devoe” scene that is the film’s highlight, and a pretty good brawl in a strip club, and that’s about it.
We’re invited to laugh at the “Uncle” (silky smooth Dennis Haysbert) brought in to distract Michael’s obnoxious mother, and begged to giggle at the recycled “Never say never in VEGAS, baby” zingers.
None of it is fresh, and Hart’s finest moment comes way too early – a no-holds-barred recreation of Tom Cruise’s underwear dance from “Risky Business” – to justify building the movie around him.
Maybe the funniest gag is the actual Steve Harvey cameo, a backhanded slap at just how far one comic/radio host/game show host/author/self-help chat show counselor can take “selling out.” The answer – when your face is on a slot machine.
But if there’s one lesson we and the “Think” cast and crew can take from “Jump Street,” it’s that sequels can be “exactly the same.” They don’t necessarily have to be worse.