REVIEW: MURDER MYSTERY 2

3/5

Just Get Away With It.

89 Mins. Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Adeel Akhtar, Enrique Arce, Jodie Turner-Smith & John Kani. Director: Jeremy Garelick. 

Murder most foul. Critics have their knives out for Netflix's 'Murder Mystery 2' sequel, but this writer really liked it (shocker) and what's more, I haven't even seen the first film yet (deadlines be damned). 'Just Go With It'. In 2019, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston hit streaming success with 'Murder Mystery'. So you always knew a franchise starter would be on the cards. Especially in the same year Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out' made Sherlock like sleuthing cool again. Netflix buying up the layers of his 'Glass Onion' sequel, all whilst keeping their candid comedy version on deck. Sandler may have got serious with the streamer on his groundbreaking 'Uncut Gems' with the Safdie's, but the Happy go Madison lucky star still likes to get silly and sock us in ours. Terrific. He's one of the greats. Maturing past 'Grown Ups' and still with enough classics in the jukebox like 'The Wedding Singer', back when 'Friends' famous Jennifer Aniston was changing catalogues in hair salons worldwide with the Rachel. 

Now this is the one where they get away with murder. Aniston and Sandler have been pretending to be a couple since the plot of their first film in 2011, but their undeniable chemistry can't be faked like their unforced charisma. There's enough great gags here, riffing and working off each other to keep you cackling instead of sighing. And what masquerades as a trip on the Orient Express like a murderous Agatha Christie for these amateur detective is not just a chance for Netflix's big budget to show off picture perfect lavish locations like a 'Red Notice' or 'The Gray Man' action ensemble. A private island Indian wedding spells no trouble with this 'Ticket To Paradise' like a fellow reuniting George Clooney and Julia Roberts. All before this mystery takes a last train to Paris like Emily and gives us a formidable finale, shining on the sparkling, gold iron lady of the Eiffel Tower at night. Reminiscent of the time Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker took on Hiroyuki Sanada in France for 'Rush Hour 3'.

Sure, like the aforementioned Netflix movies, the streaming service is known to pad out subscription filler and this may fall under that heading. We even joked about it in this week's review for South Korean action 'Kill Boksoon', as Netflix Asia is not dropping the ball in this squid game. But that doesn't mean 'Murder Mystery' (I'm sure) or its spying sequel (I know) are bad movies. Even if they do lack an arm, or two. There's a lot worse you could put on in the background as you make dinner (I've seen your Spotify playlists) and that's no slight. Some movies were me at for the multiplex. Others were meant to do down easy like popcorn chased with flat soda. 'The Wedding Ringer' director Jeremy Garelick's movie may be garlic to some, but we say he knows how to toast and hold a party. Cheers to this 'Murder Mystery' weekend. 

Would we watch a third film? Sure! Even though you know we've already got away with missing the first hit (tonight I promise, in the living room with a remote for you Cluedo fans). Middling doesn't always have to be maddening. And armed to the teeth with talent like the new Gary Sinise (as in, he's in everything. And we ain't complaining), Mark Strong and the best gag about his bounce (I feel you, brother), 'Inglourious Basterds' standout Mélanie Laurent, actress of the moment Jodie Turner-Smith ('Queen and Slim', 'The Neon Demon', 'White Noise' and 'After Yang') and the original 'Black Panther', John Kani, this film is more than fine. Especially when Adeel Akhtar and Enrique Arce hilariously steal the show. But whodunnit? You already know who's making a killing. Netflix. The rest needn't be put under a magnifying glass. The games great. Even if a little afoot like John Turturro's butler in 'Mr. Deeds' (sneaky, sneaky). Mystery solved. Now that's how you get away with a Viola Davis like TV affair when there are only murders in the streaming. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Murder Mystery', 'Just Go With It', 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery'.