Lazy sequels like this are destroying the theatrical market

Rating: 4/10 (8 June 2011)

The original was great. I was glad I saw it. But when I read the reviews, I could see that this would not be anything close. So rather than hand over my $13 this time, I downloaded a camcorder version.
It is appalling: more like a faithful remake than a sequel. Beyond the same broad structure, we have the same same character accidentally drugging the same other characters, causing an amnesia hazed time shift at the same moment in the story, the same character beating up the same other characters after being similarly imprisoned, the same kidnapped character being subject to mistaken identity, the same character having sex with a near identical replacement character, and even the same type of funny a Capella song being sung at the same moment, to give us the same little pause and mood shift. Then a near-identical resolution to the central problem. How goddamn lazy can one screenwriter be? Why did these talented actors all sign on for this crap? Was it a requirement in order to get them the parts in the first movie?
And yet, it worked out great for the studio in the short term. Just 12 days after the release it is the US #10 grossing R rated film of all time in non-adjusted dollars. Word of mouth must be awful since the second weekend gross was down 65% from the first, but that's not a problem for the producers. The film has made its money and it will go on to make lots more on DVD.
But audiences will not be satisfied with the DVD any more than they were with the theatrical release. They will part with their money and feel ripped off when they realize how predictable the jokes are. Hollywood is poisoning the well with its never ending parade of cash-in sequels that are all about a big opening weekend.
This kind of crap is why theater attendance numbers are shrinking even though ticket price hikes keep grosses afloat.