As with the film that came before it, “Hot Tub Time Machine 2” tells you right there in the title that the actual physics and mechanics of time travel are going to be handled with as little sincerity, formality or attention to science as possible. But there’s another time problem here: namely, the minutes that drag between one laugh and the next.
That dragging journey from minute to minute grows so oppressive that it sinks the entire experience. Anyone who makes a movie about a hot tub that’s also a time machine clearly thinks he’s making something smart enough to play off of such a stupid premise, but returning director Steve Pink and screenwriter Josh Heald get only the stupid part right. Rather than allow this loony notion to be a launching pad for witty, subversive comedy, this is dreary, knuckle-dragging stuff that wastes the talents of its capable cast.
The sluggish proceedings begin in the present — or, rather, the present as it’s been altered by the previous movie. Lou (Rob Corddry) has used his knowledge of post-1986 events to make a mega-fortune, first as the lead singer of hair-metal combo Motley Lou (never mind that Mötley Crüe was founded in 1981, but sshh, time travel, hot tub, forget about it) and then as the Internet entrepreneur behind popular search engine Lougle.
Success hasn’t changed him, however: Lou remains an obnoxious, substance-abusing scumbag and a terrible father to his put-upon son Jacob (Clark Duke). Their pal Nick (Craig Robinson), meanwhile, has built a successful pop career out of his half-remembered versions of songs that haven’t yet been recorded. (After butchering “Stay,” Nick turns around and sees that one of the menial crew members on the set of his video is frustrated and not-famous songwriter Lisa Loeb.)
Something terrible happens to Lou at a big bash at his mansion, and he, Nick and Jacob must hop back into the titular conveyance to undo the damage. To their surprise, they’re taken not to the past but rather to 2025, where they hope to get help from their friend Adam. (John Cusack didn’t return, which seems surprising to say the least; he could find time for “Reclaim” and “Drive Hard,” but not “Hot Tub Time Machine 2”?) Instead, they find uptight dullard Adam Jr. (Adam Scott), who amiably accompanies these nitwits on their quest to fix the past.
The film has a bit of fun with notions of what the future will be like, with smart cars that are actually smart (one of them develops a fully-earned loathing for Lou and gets some of the script’s best lines), reality TV taken to extremes, and shockingly powerful hallucinogenics. (Adam Jr. goes on a cosmic trip that wouldn’t be out of place in “The SpongeBob Movie” which, come to think of it, is a funnier and more clever time-travel film than this one.)
One of the big letdowns of “HTTM2” is that it wants to have its raucous excess (the time machine only works if you get blackout drunk) before awkwardly making a 180 and delivering sermons about sobriety and rehab which, while noble, feel utterly tacked-on and contrived, as though someone high up in the creative team got slapped with community service late in the production process.
Also sucking the fun out of the proceedings is the fact that the Lou character is so utterly despicable; there’s a fine line between comically self-involved and grotesquely sociopathic, and despite Corddry’s game attempts, he’s just too repellent to be amusing. Duke, Scott and Robinson are all fine, but since they’re never taken too far out of their comfort zone, their performances are solid but familiar. (Gillian Jacobs is utterly wasted in the thankless role of Adam Jr.’s peppy fiancée.)
If the undemanding silliness of the first “Hot Tub Time Machine” was your cup of comedy, then you may well enjoy another plunge in these waters. Apart from a few laughs, however, I found the experience tepid and soggy.
'SNL's' 40 Most Iconic Characters: From the Blues Brothers to Stefon (Photos)
Spartan Cheerleaders: Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri got spirit, how 'bout you?
Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Alger (Dana Carvey): Party time, excellent.
MacGruber (Will Forte): Makin' life-saving inventions out of household materials!
The Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd: Two soul men.
Stefon: Bill Hader never could keep a straight face as "Weekend Update's" New York City nightlife correspondent.
Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party: Cecily Strong's breakout character went away temporarily when she co-anchored "Weekend Update" for a season.
"Dick in a Box" guys: You better hope that Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake aren't your Secret Santas.
The Church Lady: Dana Carvey's character on making this list: "Well isn't that special?"
Matt Foley: Chris Farley's character may be iconic, but he still "LIVES IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!"
Sarah Palin (Tina Fey): Did this spot-on impression save "SNL" during a down period? "You betcha!"
Roseanne Roseannadanna (Gilda Radner): "Weekend Update's" consumer affairs reporter had as much distaste for New Jersey as Richard Feder has questions.
Debbie Downer: Rachel Dratch's best character would surely find SOMETHING miserable about being considered one of the show's 40 most iconic.
Mary Katherine Gallagher: We know, Molly Shannon -- you're a superstar. So stop being so nervous all the time.
Haray Caray (Will Ferrell): "Cubs win! Cubs win!" PS, Wrap readers: If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself?
Land Shark: Chevy Chase's deadly predator was most definitely NOT a dolphin, ma'am.
Roxbury guys: Before their movie, Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan clubbed hard on "SNL." One of their best sketches included host Jim Carrey.
(It's) Pat: Never before has androgyny been so much fun. PS: Pat was played by a lady, Julia Sweeney, if you didn't know.
The Ambiguously Gay Duo: Ace and Gary oftentimes found themselves in ... precarious ... situations. Now what is everyone looking at?
Stuart Smalley: Al Franken's "Daily Affirmations" character made our list because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, people like him.
Dooneese: Kristen Wiig's "Lawrence Welk Show" character isn't much to look at, but she also can't sing at all.
Killer Bees: The Killer Bees have the distinction of being the first recurring characters on "Saturday Night Live" -- and they came back A LOT, mostly to spite network brass.
"Celebrity Jeopardy!" gang: You can't pick one: Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell), Burt Reynolds (Norm Macdonald) and Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond) were magic when they got together.
Gumby: Eddie Murphy is Gumby, damnit! Sorry Pokey, you didn't make the cut.
The Ladies Man: Tim Meadows' character liked the fairer sex even more than he dug Courvoisier -- and we loved him for that.
The Gap Girls: Chris Farley, David Spade and Adam Sandler always had fun when they got together. Add cross-dressing and mall food court gossip and it gets even better.
The Festrunk Brothers: Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd's "Wild and Crazy Guys" birthed those Roxbury guys we talked about earlier. Know your history, kids!
Bill Swerski's Superfans: These Chicago sports fans love Da Bulls and Da Bears as much as they love bear and Polish sausage. Seen here with their cherished Michael Jordan.
The Continental: Christopher Walken's recurring character was really forward with the ladies. He may have lacked game, but was never short on ascots.
Hans and Franz: The Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon duo were here to pump people up way before Aaron Rodgers and State Farm Insurance ever entered the power-lifting fray.
Samurai Futaba: John Belushi's samurai skills didn't translate to many other professions, most-notably working as an accountant and in a delicatessen.
Coneheads: The Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman family were not of this Earth -- and you would have never noticed if not for their accents.
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer: Ladies and gentlemen, this classic Phil Hartman character was just a caveman -- things in our modern world frighten and confuse him.
Richard Layer: Rob Schneider's Richmeister was thrilled anytime someone in his office needed to use the Xerox machine. He had as many nicknames for his colleagues as they made copies.
Father Guido Sarducci: Don Novello was a writer for "SNL," where he famously brought the chain-smoking, tinted-glasses-wearing priest. Though the show popularized the character, it wasn't the origination point for Father Guido.
Jack Handey: Jack Handey was the real name of a real "Saturday Night Live" writer who had real funny "Deep Thoughts" during the 1990s.
George W. Bush (Will Ferrell): "SNL" was carried for several years by Ferrell, whose George W. Bush impersonation was so popular that he scored a successful and critically acclaimed one-man show on Broadway.
Mister Robinson: Eddie Murphy's play on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was meant for adult audiences. Where Rogers' town was lovely in every way, Robinson's was terrifying, but incredibly funny.
Robert Goulet (Will Ferrell): Ferrell's Goulet was completely ridiculous -- complete with a catchphrase of just exclaiming "Goulet!" at random times to punctuate a sentence. It was also hilarious, handing Ferrell another well-deserved spot on this Top 40 list.
Irwin Mainway: Dan Aykroyd's sleazy salesman would do anything for a buck -- even it involved selling a Bag O'Glass to children at Christmastime. That kind of dedication qualifies Mainway as an icon in our eyes.
Mr. Bill: The clay character was constantly in danger over the course of his 20-plus show appearances. It's currently unclear if the figure lived long enough to come back for "SNL 40."
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Ahead of the big NBC primetime 40th Anniversary special, TheWrap looks back at the sketch comedy show’s most iconic, inspired and hilarious roles
Spartan Cheerleaders: Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri got spirit, how 'bout you?
Something terrible happens to Lou at a big bash at his mansion, and he, Nick and Jacob must hop back into the titular conveyance to undo the damage. To their surprise, they’re taken not to the past but rather to 2025, where they hope to get help from their friend Adam. (John Cusack didn’t return, which seems surprising to say the least; he could find time for “Reclaim” and “Drive Hard,” but not “Hot Tub Time Machine 2”?) Instead, they find uptight dullard Adam Jr. (Adam Scott), who amiably accompanies these nitwits on their quest to fix the past.
