The Family Plan 2
review by Bobby Blakey
Throughout the years there have been numerous films playing with the secret life of a spy with a family comedy genre such as The Pacifier and The Spy Next Door featuring action stars. In 2023, Mark Wahlberg got in on the fun with The Family Plan co-starring Michelle Monaghan, Zoe Colletti, and Van Crosby. Now they are back with The Family Plan 2 co-starring Kit Harington, Peter Lindsey, Theodore Lindsey, and Reda Elazouar with Simon Cellan Jones returning to direct. Could this next chapter be a family vacation worth taking or will it not go according to plan?
Family Plan 2 follows Dan Morgan who has planned the perfect vacation for his wife Jessica and their kids to celebrate overseas, until a mysterious figure from his past shows up with unfinished business. An international game of cat-and-mouse ensues as Dan and his family battle, bicker, and bond their way through a series of bank heists, holiday hijinks, and car chases amid scenic European terrain.
The first film was a typical action family comedy with just enough fun and laughter to deliver. It was a perfect vehicle for the streaming platform, but not one I thought would warrant a sequel yet here we are. To my surprise the film manages to work for what it is thanks to sticking to the same formula albeit with some new twists since the mystery of the first film is already out there.
Diving in with the family now knowing everything does offer a new set of challenges but also allows more freedom in the story’s direction. They keep the story connected to the first film so that it at least makes sense to be happening again with a new angle. The familiarity of the formula makes the film work, but it is also a hinderance to making it do anything new.
The cast are all back and do a good job, but there is a ridiculous nature of bringing all the family on this mission since it wasn’t due to a secret. Putting
everyone in danger knowing what is going on is silly and might frustrate some, but if you just once again shut off your brain and have fun with it then it delivers more fun and action pretty much on par with the first film. Once again, filled with some great action, laughs and family fun, this is a sequel we didn’t need, but one that still captures the fun.
Much like the first film it includes a couple of end teases that could once again set up another chapter should they decide to do so. Decide for yourself and check out The Family Plan 2 as well as the first film streaming now on AppleTV+.
You can also check out our review of the first film here.