There was a time when the original ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ managed to find some small measure of appeal, demonstrating a playful silliness that occasionally offered unexpected and thoughtful glimpses into the stagnant lives of a group of men. The idea behind the hot tub—a bizarre device transporting these goofy guys back to their carefree youth in contrast to their current dissatisfaction—actually had potential. However, ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’ seemed determined to mock any sense of inner man-child discovery. This isn't to say the first film was flawless; it certainly had its moments of obvious banality. But at least it attempted a kind of over-the-top observation of men seeking to recapture their youthful abandon. Now comes the inevitable sequel, ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’—a transparent excuse to amplify whatever little amusement the original managed to generate. Relentlessly pointless, tasteless, and desperate for attention, this second installment overflows with uninspired, lukewarm jokes that might lead one to consider escaping through self-drowning. The first film aimed to playfully shake up the dreary lives of these present-day men by sending them back to the 1980s where they could indulge in their adolescent fantasies. Director Steve Pink returns, and his time-traveling characters now want to engage in more mischievous encounters with unusual people and places. This second trip using the familiar ‘Back To The Future’ formula finds the hot tub travelers ten years into the future, having exploited their experiences with time travel for profit. Screenwriter Josh Heald's story fails to recapture the magic of the original or offer anything new from its band of traveling tricksters; it buries itself in arbitrary and chaotic events. ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’ has nothing worthwhile to say. If you enjoy looking at attractive women (though that isn't entirely unpleasant), enduring crude jokes, experiencing tired time-traveling gags, or following the story of an assassin on the loose, then this installment might amuse you. Otherwise, most people would probably prefer to relax by a chlorine pool. The cast from ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ returns without John Cusack, whose character, Adam Yates, is conspicuously absent—a fortunate timed absence for both actor and character. Rob Corddry as Lou, Craig Robinson as Nick, and Clark Duke as Jacob take center stage, capitalizing on their hot tub-related notoriety and amassing considerable wealth. Lou's creation of the search engine “Lougle” (a playful imitation of Google) has made him rich. Nick’s fame as a musician (built on pilfered material from other artists) has given him pop culture status. Jacob, previously revealed to be Lou’s son, is now working as his personal assistant. When an assassin targets Lou (shooting him in the groin—prepare for juvenile humor), the guys return to their hot tub hoping to prevent it, but to no avail. Instead, they are propelled ten years into the future. The question becomes: can this time-traveling trio stop the would-be killer? It’s almost tempting to root for the assassin. Of course, anyone criticizing ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’ will be met with predictable defenses: “Hey, it's not supposed to win Oscars!” Fair enough. However, rehashing a questionable comedy from 2010 and attempting to mine the same tired jokes leaves something to be desired. The crude humor feels juvenile and lacks substance. The entire film conveys a sense of desperation as Pink tries to force laughter rather than crafting a genuinely zany adventure without relying on its offensive elements. ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’ struggles to elicit even guilty pleasure laughs, straining for shock value and outrageousness. Sadly, many viewers will find this lazy and boisterous time-traveling nonsense appealing with its obvious sexual titillation. Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015) Paramount Pictures 93 mins. Starring: Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Chevy Chase, Adam Scott and Collette Wolfe Directed by: Steve Pink MPAA Rating: R Genre: Comedy & Fantasy/Time Travel Adventure Critic’s rating: * star (out of 4 stars)

Source on TMDB