Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2

Many cinematic releases of late have excelled at contaminating us with dross, puerile swearing and mindless violence. Here then is an oasis of colour in both settings and characters. The first film was a heart-warming experience, which reacquainted viewers with what good cinema should be about. The sequel is equally as splendid - in my opinion, and judging by my fellow cinema-goers, by all of those attendees to. No violence, no swearing, no lavatorial humour. Gosh, what is the world coming to? Just dollops of old-fashioned (and I am not ashamed of using the term), gentle humour. The film is chock-full of some of our (British, that is) top-notch thespians and boy, do they knock anything our Yankee brethren could conceive in a million years into a cocked hat. Okay,Richard Gere pops up as the token 'American', but even he is out-acted by the British and Indian cast ten times over. For two hours of sheer entertainment, with a feel-good factor tipping the scales, then you will be hard pushed to beat this fine example.

Considering how great the first film was, 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' had a lot to live up to. Despite the mixed reviews, the cast are such a talented one and it did look interesting. Did also question the point initially and, considering that sequels with a few exceptions rarely are as good or better than their predecessors, expectations were sort of mixed.

Finally seeing 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', it was moderately enjoyable but with a fair share of faults so was a disappointment compared to its predecessor. Not as bad as some reviewers have made out, but it could have been much better and the complaints/criticisms are understandable and legitimate from personal opinion.

Starting with 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's' faults, it does get off to a slow start with the first half an hour taking too long to get going. There are also too many subplots, some of them not developed enough, slow the film down and are a little too contrived-ly written.

Not all the cast work this time either. Dev Patel and Tamsin Grieg are annoying, but worst of all is an out of place Richard Gere who is very wooden as a character that was better left out. A little too heavy on the clichés too, with not enough done to make them interesting.

However, 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' looks absolutely splendid. It's gorgeously filmed and the scenery is to die for. As is the lovely and authentic in flavour music.

Parts of the script do work well, though the first film achieved a better balance of funny comedy and heartfelt drama. There are some heart-warming life lessons, some funny witty moments, uplifting warmth and cosy charm. The story is problematic, being a bit slow going in places and bloated, but does boast enough heart and charm, the ending is very touching.

Of the talented cast, the standouts are the always good Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Bill Nighy is a lot of fun too as is Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup similarly charms. One does miss Tom Wilkinson however.

In summary, second best but not second rate. 6/10 Bethany Cox

I was really anxious to see this film since we loved the first one but, as always with sequels, I had low expectations. I was not disappointed in any way, shape or form. There are a lot of negative reviews by people who don't understand the human brain. A sequel will NEVER be the same as the first time you experienced a great film. You already know the characters, general story, etc. and there is no room for surprises. What you can hope for is that the journey is continued and presented in a manner that entertains and stays true to the first film. My wife and I discussed the film afterward and we both agreed that there were components of "The Second" that were actually better than the first film. We got to know most of the characters better, we got to see Indian culture in much more depth and the story was much more involved than the first film. Overall, I have to say that this sequel was the best I have ever seen. It stayed true to the characters and most importantly to the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Have looked forward to this sequel and was not disappointed. It was so good to catch up with old friends (literally and metaphorically). Maybe the storyline was more diluted as less concentrated on the 'guests' and more on Sunni and his attempts to expand his empire and get married but the journey that the 'guests' had started was still ongoing. For me the film is a testament to the fact that old age need not be a slow descent into oblivion; we can lose interest before reaching the terminus or we can hang onto the strap handles and stick it out to the end, which is the message in the film and I know which I prefer. I have n't yet found my personal Best Exotic Marigold Hotel but when I do hopefully Dames Judi & Maggie,Bill, Celia, Ronald, Diana will be my fellow travellers, all haphazardly supervised by Sunni. To those expecting gratuitous violence, blood and gore, gritty reality and leave the cinema feeling life is on a downward spiral, then stay away. To those who want to enjoy a heart warming film,rekindle faith in human nature and joy and expectation in life, go see it and escape this miserable, violent world we live in; go with your friend/lover/partner or alone - just go and enjoy. I am in the age group that would qualify me as a guest but I, like them, am still on a wonderful journey, determined to strap-hang to the end.

...but managed pretty well.

There's a terrible risk with producing a sequel to a unique, quirky and successful movie. For want of a better cliché, it's flogging a dead horse.

This film confronted that risk and trounced it soundly. I was wondering how the heck the producers would manage it, and went to the cinema expecting to be disappointed at best and mildly annoyed at worst. But no. I left uplifted, happy and feeling as though I had wasted neither the time nor the ticket price.

The characters continue to develop. New characters are introduced but are generally given the chance to have their own back stories as well. The film genuinely manages to give the impression of being a candid look at the lives of a disparate bunch of people - their interactions, hopes, fears, prejudices and so on are all laid bare for us, as before, yet somehow it still manages to feel fresh.

There are real, proper laughs, some fantastic one-liners and some very well done moments of pathos. It's beautifully filmed and the big set-pieces are a delight.

In short it steps into the large boots of its predecessor, and fills them nicely. Go and see it.