Murder Mystery 2 Movie Review

“Murder Mystery 2” is a Netflix release, with a movie produced out of “Happy Madison Productions”. That is Adam Sandler through and through. This might make some people squeal with joy, and it might just make other people squeal. It is a follow-up to a 2019 movie “Murder Mystery”, also on Netflix – and a very popular release.

In the initial “Murder Mystery”, the married New York couple of Nick Spitz (played by Adam Sandler) and Audrey (played by Jennifer Aniston) get into a mystery surrounding a murder. Who would have guessed that, right? He is a New York City cop, and she is hairdresser. But while on a vacation in Europe, they are caught up in a series of murders. They are able to come out on top, and decide to become private detectives.

Now, they have gotten some success with all the investigations and all the detecting. But they are in a rut, both at home, and in the business. One day, an old friend they met during the European caper calls with some good news. It is Maharajah Vikram (played by Adeel Akhtar), who is a billionaire businessman and one of the survivors from the prior mystery. He is getting married, and both Nick and Audrey are invited to attend. It will be all-expense paid, and at a beautiful tropical resort.

Nick and Audrey arrive at the resort. They meet Vikram, and another old friend – Col. Ulenga (played by John Kani). He was Vikram’s prior bodyguard, but he has lost his arm. Vikram introduces his fiancée, Claudette (played by Mélanie Laurent).  Also attending will be Vikram’s older sister –  Saira (played by Kuhoo Verma).

And another one invited is Countess Sekou (played by Jodie Turner-Smith). She is formerly attached to Vikram, but they broke off their engagement. The CEO of Vikram’s company is also there. He is a famous ex-soccer player named Francisco (played by Enrique Arce).

There is a lavish Indian-themed rehearsal dinner and party. The guest of honor is Vikram, and he will arrive on an elephant. But it is not Vikram who falls down dead from the beast. It is Vikram’s new bodyguard, dead with a knife in his back. But where is Vikram?

Nick has a hunch and races out to the dock, only to see somebody push Vikram into the boat and take off into the night. The unknown kidnapper shoots at Nick, but he is safe. Nick and Audrey have now stepped into a new Murder, and this time a Kidnapping!

Audrey and Nick are ready to take on this new Mystery. After all, Vikram is an old friend who has been kidnapped. But it seems there is somebody else called in to do the job. It is a former British MI-5 officer named Col. Miller. He has created his own security company, and he even wrote the book about the Private Eye business that Nick and Audrey are studying. He has a military-level squad of combat-ready tough guys, and they are ready for any type of activity.

The Kidnapper calls and demands to speak to Nick. Nick keeps the disguised voice on the phone long enough to get instructions for a money drop. Also, he was on long enough to trace the call. The caller demands 70 Million in Bearer Bonds, to be delivered in Paris. So, now this entire crew gets hauled off the City of Lights, so that Nick and Audrey can pay off the ransom money. Not a thing could go wrong, right?

Col. Miller gets them to the drop off point, so that Nick and Audrey can exchange the money for their friend Vikram. But of course, it all goes oblong… It seems that Col. Miller is killed in a fiery explosion, and the suitcase full of Bearer Bonds get snapped up by some unknown goon. Nick and Audrey see that they have been set up as the criminals behind this whole caper. It sounds like the only thing they will be able to investigate are the insides of a European prison cell.

But Nick and Audrey still have prior friends to help them out. However, they also contend with current enemies that threaten them – these two are in deep trouble. They have a side adventure at a mansion in the countryside. Countess Sekou holds them at gunpoint, but she does not make it out.

Soon, the Eifel Tower becomes the next kidnapper exchange point. Every major sight-seeing vantage point can be an exchange point. But prior people assumed to be dead now show up again. So what can the next step be? Will the kidnapper visit every tourist trap in the French capitol?

“Murder Mystery 2” is a retread of the slightly used tire that was “Murder Mystery” (from 2019). The two main stars keep this movie from going totally flat. But there are signs of tread wear and rough spots on the side walls. Netflix will be happy if this gains anywhere near the level of viewership that the initial movie got in 2019. So, the basic idea is – just get by with the best minimal effort that can be delivered.

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston have undeniable comedy talent, and it rises well above the level of this material. They have a good chemistry together on screen, and the rest of the cast plays for all the laughs they can get. Mark Strong normally has very dramatic roles, so it nice to see him in a role that is less stuffy.

“Murder Mystery 2” is a generic ‘who-dun-nit’, and it is much more concerned with ‘who-will-figure-it-out’. In this case it is Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, reprising roles from the 2019 movie.