Cert PG
122 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language, sex references
When a movie has captured hearts and, more importantly, impressed its investors there is, inevitably, a temptation to try to recreate its formula.
But cinema history is pitted with failed comedy sequels.
From Beverly Hills Cop 2 to The Hangover 2, the magical recipe has regularly been lacking the second time around.
Add to the list The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Just a glimpse at its title reveals that audiences should expect a picture which doesn't live up to the original.
Why is that? Well, the clue is in that word - original. A sequel can never hope to be as fresh.
Here, director John Madden benefits from a stellar cast but even they cannot inject the zest which the first picture possessed.
This is because the same themes are repeated: elderly people in India, squeezing every bit of life out of their dotage while facing the hurdles of old age.
In the meantime, Dev Patel tries to hard to portray an ethnic Indian hotel manager who, in this latest installment, is trying to increase the size of his empire and is simultaneously preparing for his wedding.
There is a touch of the friendly old slipper about The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Audiences are comfortable with Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Celia Imrie and will probably be satisfied even though they fail to sparkle in the same way they did previously.
For added sex appeal, Richard Gere has been thrown into the mix but even he would be entitled to his bus pass.
It's not that The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is bad. It isn't. But it just isn't as funny as I had anticipated
Director John Madden, speaking about his cast: "It's a luxury to have that sort of talent. It's like having an ensemble of Stradvariuses."
Reason to watch: Its superb cast
Reason to avoid: It's a sequel which lacks the same zest as its original.
Laughs: A couple of chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10