This film’s 2020 predecessor was one of the better entries in the odd little sub-genre that places macho action stars into light-hearted romps with children.
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| While Bobbi (Kristen Schaal, left) nervously awaits the worst, JJ (Dave Bautista) reluctantly allows Sophie (Chloe Coleman) to pursue the bad guys ... while placing too much faith in her insistence that she "knows how to drive." |
Although this sequel also can’t be taken seriously, the plot is a reasonable anchor point for droll character interactions and — as was the case with the first film — the solid dynamic between co-stars Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman. Once again, their rapport feels reasonably authentic, and they’ve grown comfortably into their roles.
Four years have passed, since the events in the previous film. Former ace CIA operative JJ (Bautista) has transitioned into a desk job, in order to lead a more peaceful life with Kate (Lara Babalola), while also becoming a more attentive parent to her daughter Sophie (Coleman). Alas, now a teenager, the last thing this girl wants is a helicopter stepfather who constantly gets into her business.
Sophie’s focus is on hunky fellow high school choir member Ryan (Billy Barratt), much to the dismay of her best friend, Collin (Taeho K), who has long worshiped her from afar. Alas, Sophie takes Collin entirely for granted.
Elsewhere, CIA section chief David Kim (Ken Jeong) is horrified to discover that a crucial op has failed, thereby placing the locations of 100 nukes into the hands of enemy terrorists.
Back at North Virginia High School, the choir has been selected — along with numerous other youthful choruses from the States and around the world — for an international competition that will climax with a massive performance for the Pope, in Vatican City. To Sophie’s horror, JJ eagerly volunteers to be one of the chaperones; this prompts nothing but derision from the head chaperone: rule-oriented school principal Nancy (Anna Faris), who doesn’t think he could possibly handle the responsibility.
Indeed, the first night in Venice is almost a disaster, when the kids break curfew. But the quick-thinking JJ saves the situation, which raises his cred — a bit — with his youthful charges. Unfortunately, things subsequently go awry when JJ unwisely allows Sophie, Ryan and Collin some “fun time” one evening.
At which point, Collin gets kidnapped.
Sophie is horrified, because she knows the likely reason. Collin has grown up believing that his father is a boring medical worker; David felt this necessary, for the boy’s protection. (Um, that didn’t work.)
No surprise: It’s the same baddies involved with the nukes, and they want David to reveal the access codes ... or else his son will be toast.
Well.
Fully invested in helping to save her best friend, Sophie abandons all traces of teenage attitude, and joins her father in a frantic effort to find Collin before David is forced to make the impossible choice.
They’re assisted by tech colleague Bobbi (Kristen Schaal), and it’s refreshing to see that she has (mostly) matured into a reasonably helpful operative. Bobbi was an overly eager agent-in-training in the previous film, where her worshipful fawning over JJ became just as irritating as her nasal, cartoon-character voice. Happily, Segal has reined in Schaal’s over-the-top tendencies; this film’s Bobbi earns her keep.
Their primary foil is the hulking, unstoppable Crane (German actor/comedian Flula Borg, perhaps recognized as “Skip Tracy Randy” in TV’s The Rookie). Borg is hilarious; Crane’s lethal qualities are contrasted by an unexpectedly childlike voice and a disdainful contempt for overbulked lugs such as JJ. Needless to say, Borg and JJ go at it. More than once.
Ah, but somebody else is pulling Crane’s strings ... and the Big Bad’s ultimate reveal is a clever surprise.
The numerous stunts and action scenes are well staged, and tightly edited by Jason Gourson; skirmishes and vehicular chases making excellent use of the various Italian settings, building to a climax in Rome’s Vatican City.
Bautista once again relies on the gruff, brooding charm that has served him so well since his breakout performances in the Guardians of the Galaxy series. But it’s also clear, from JJ’s sharp-eyed gaze, that this guy misses very little; if he’s a bit clumsy when it comes to interpersonal relationships, that simply makes him more endearing.
Coleman credibly navigates the duality of Sophie’s behavior. Her exasperated, eye-rolling teenage impatience isn’t overplayed; she never gets unpleasantly huffy. Her belief that JJ expects too much of her, in terms of agent-level physical training, is perfectly reasonable. But her abrupt shift to all-business, once Collin is snatched, is refreshing ... and there’s no doubt that JJ’s training regimen will prove useful at a key moment.
Alas, Jeong is this film’s irritating element. Segal may have held Schaal to a more nuanced performance, but he allowed Jeong to overplay his signature schtick. Some of his scenes are simply embarrassing and stupid: most notably the manner in which David bids farewell to Collin, when all the kids leave for Italy.
Craig Robinson is a stabilizing presence as fellow CIA operative Connelly; too bad the script didn’t give him more to do.
The mayhem and danger remain family-friendly: a welcome change from the first film’s occasional vicious moments. Nothing here can be taken seriously, and that’s just fine. Bautista and Coleman once again make a delightful team, and I wouldn’t mind seeing them return for a third adventure.
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