Let’s be frank. If you’re the type to automatically sneer at the title “Hot Tub Time Machine“, then clearly this sequel isn’t for you. The original, released back in 2010, was raucous; stocked up with dirty jokes, pop culture references, gross out moments and a hilarious ongoing gag about Crispin Glover’s missing arm. It was not a cerebral affair, but it was an entertaining one, using the most ridiculous method of time travel (perhaps in the history of cinema) to basically give 4 guys a trip back to their college days. Now, they’re back, at least 3 of them anyway, to jump once again into the tub on a new, crude and lewd adventure through time.
After the events of the first film, the four time travelers are living blessed lives, their knowledge of history allowing them to influence how their present day turned out. A snappy introduction shows Lou Dorchen (Rob Corddry) used tech insights to supplant Google, with Lougle. Now a billionaire, he lives a debauched lifestyle offending all around him. His son Jacob (Clark Duke) basically lives off his father’s wealth and occasionally works as his butler, continuing the demeaning, bullying relationship from the first film. Nick Webber (Craig Robinson) is a multi-platinum selling artist using his (often fuzzy) recollection of music and lyrics to release songs before the original artists ever did. The last of their number Adam Yates (John Cusack) is a novelist now living in seclusion. Whether this is down to Cusack’s inability to feature or lack of interest, I am unsure. I don’t think he’s being too choosy with his projects of late, though.
While professionally a success, their personal lives are suffering. To compound matters Lou has alienated many of his workers. One night when hosting a party he is shot in the dick (graphically) by an unknown, shotgun wielding assailant. Nick and Jacob drag him into the hot tub, now relocated by the wealthy Lou to his mansion, and jump back in time to try and prevent the attack and save his life. Somehow. they end up in the year 2025 and figure that the killer came from that time. So begins a quest to uncover the killer before he travels back in time, and meanwhile the trio reflect on how their future turns out.
The first film was literally a trip down memory lane. Four guys stuck in a rut reflecting on their pasts are actually given a chance to revisit it and reflect on how their sad lives could have turned out differently. Oh, and getting laid. The sequel deals with a similar idea, but explores the fact that in spite of their success, they are still unhappy; the pursuit of their careers or drugs or women not fulfilling them. A glimpse of their futures hammers this home. While this is the deeper theme of the film, its true purpose is to make crude, offensive jokes and mock pop culture. They are fired at you at quite an astonishing rate. If one misses the mark, never fear, because another one will be along in 30 seconds that will probably make you chuckle instead. The writers and cast (it feels very improvised), scrape the bottom of the barrel and throw it all at you and at times, it works.
Corddry is unrelenting in his asshattery, you have to appreciate his commitment to being a dick. Robinson does well with the lighter fare but also working in the guilt at abusing the timeline so much, being “responsible” for every popular song since the 70s, denying the original artists their own creations. Duke throws in an admirable effort, shouldering some of the work in Cusack’s absence of being the moral compass of the group, but at times being as reprehensible as the rest while still maintaining an endearing quality. Adam Scott steps into the Cusack void. Essentially a contrast, a nice guy thrown into this band of reprobates and subsequently becoming the equivalent of a human pinata. It’s somewhat refreshing that a film embraces assholes this much rather than throw likeable ones into a crude situation that ends up just making them unlikeable anyway. I’m looking at you Horrible Bosses 2 and Dumb and Dumber To. There is a solid chemistry between these guys and at times their natural banter conjours up some of the highlights of the film.
Where Hot Tub Time Machine 2 stumbles is in its plot and execution. Time travel opens up a Pandora’s box of trouble for narrative complications. Thankfully the first HTTM kept things pretty simple. The sequel is a bit more convoluted in its reasoning for sending the guys to the future, even going so far as having a “Minority Report-esque” interface being used to explain what is happening at one point. Execution-wise, if you’re going to show the future, then you need to show the future. All we really get is a few snazzy interfaces, funky new psychedelic drugs and jet powered dog walkers.
The end credits suggest a better film, as did much of the marketing materials. That this was not delivered seems more down to the budget than anything else. The film is a rather drab affair, contrasting poorly with the colorful crazy original. It’s essentially the Lou, Nick and Jacob show, which is at times enough to carry the film but not enough to quell the disappointment of what a “dialed up to 11” time traveling sequel could have been.
On reflection, HTTM2 is pretty sloppy, both in it’s writing, execution and also tone. But the fact is, it will draw a belly laugh out of you every few minutes and that cannot be ignored. You have to admire the audacity of anyone basing a film around a complete shower of bastards. The film can be summed up as shitty people doing shitty things. If that’s something that would entertain you then this filthy hot tub will do you just fine.