My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

Prequel: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)

Sequel: “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” (2023)

“Opa!” The dancing and jubilation continue in this big, fat sequel to the original smash hit. Toula (Nia Vardalos) and Ian (John Corbett) have spent the past 17 years focused on raising their only child, a daughter named Paris (Elena Kampouris). But now, with Paris preparing to finish high school and pick a college, the two find themselves wondering where the spark in their marriage has gone. And, although Paris is growing up and seems ready to break away from her overbearing family, her parents dread the idea of their baby bird flying too far away from the nest. Meanwhile, an unexpected family discovery leads to an unforeseen reason to celebrate once again, Greek-style.

This film gives several nods to the original, which sent the audience into fits of laughter. The original cast from the previous film returned, and the chemistry between all the characters is definitely still there. Aunt Voula is hilarious as ever, with her never-ending descriptions of her many strange health ailments. Gus is still windexing everything in sight, and his chauvinistic ways still bother his wife Maria at times. Yet, through it all, she is always somehow reminded of her love for him.

The family is as tight-knit as ever, always rallying together in times of need. Seeing a family stick together and help each other like the Portokalos family does is so refreshing in today’s society, where we don’t always see families depicted in a positive way in films and on television.

Objectionable Content

There are only a handful of objectionable parts in this film. In one scene, after Toula and Ian have gone on a date together, they pull up in front of her parents’ house in their car. As they relive their dating days from the past, before they were married, remembering how they used to have long goodbye kisses, etc., the two proceed to make out, even putting the seats down in their car, suggesting that something more intimate is about to happen. It isn’t until Toula’s mother and daughter see them and knock on the car window, that they momentarily pause what they are doing. “Don’t you have a house to do that in?” asks one of the family members, which is definitely a reasonable question. The whole scene really does not need to be in the movie. During a scene where a bunch of family members are at a hair salon together, “bedroom” talk is engaged in, including some crass joking.

Later, a family member announces that his business partner is also his homosexual partner, and this is portrayed as perfectly fine. As Christians, we know that homosexuality is a sin just like any other sin, and that it is something that can be overcome through Christ, but not a lifestyle to embrace or celebrate.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [verbal abusers/injuring other’s reputation with a spirit of dissension], nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.” —1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Summary

On the whole, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” is somewhat predictable, although there are a few unexpected plot twists. The film is mostly good, clean fun, and contains many more laughs than I expected. The themes of family being precious and valuable, and never giving up on each other, are very evident and heartwarming. As far as sequels go, this one is pretty entertaining and possibly worth a watch. The film seems to set the scene nicely for a possible third installment in the future.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: Minor to moderate—OMG (1), “oh g*d” (2), slang words for male and female genitals / Sex/Nudity: Heavy / Alcohol/Drugs: Moderate

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