The Odd Couple II: A Review of the Underwhelming Sequel

Strategic Insights -

The Odd Couple II marks the reunion of screen legends Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon as the infamous duo Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Neil Simon's original screenplay is a rehashing of their previous success, embracing a similar premise to their previous comedy "Grumpier Old Men." Despite the familiar charm of the Matthau-Lemmon pairing, the film falls flat, relying on outdated humor and worn-out antics. The movie's attempt to recapture the spark of the original is futile, as it settles for an uninspired and predictable storyline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The film's plot is a rehashing of the previous success, "Grumpier Old Men," with a similar premise of two friends disagreeing over their children's marriage.
  • Despite the familiarity of the Matthau-Lemmon pairing, the film fails to deliver a compelling narrative, relying on tired humor and worn-out antics.
  • The movie's 96-minute runtime feels excessive, given the lack of depth and originality in the story.
  • Director Howard Deutch's efforts to capture the comic snap of the original fall short, resulting in a meandering and uninspired film.
  • The use of Neal Hefti's original 1968 "Odd Couple" theme is a redeeming feature, but even its frequent appearances cannot salvage the film's overall lack of quality.
  • The film's lack of originality and failure to capture the spirit of the original "Odd Couple" franchise is a disappointment to fans of the duo and the series.

Statistics:

  • The film is rated PG-13.
  • The runtime is 96 minutes.
  • The movie features a cast, including Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Jonathan Silverman, and Lisa Waltz.
  • The director is Howard Deutch.
  • The screenplay is credited to Neil Simon.
  • The film Release is attributed to Paramount Pictures.

Sources:

  • Dann Gire, Daily Herald Film Critic, "The Odd Couple II" * 1/2 (Source: Daily Herald)
  • Neil Simon, Robert Cort, and David Madden, Producers (Source: IMDb)
  • Howard Deutch, Director (Source: IMDb)
  • Paramount Pictures, Release (Source: IMDb)