By Dean Rogers

It was only two years ago that the world was exposed to Steve Harvey’s book turned movie “Think like a Man.” While the first movie felt like a two-hour infomercial for the best-selling book, its sequel, opening this weekend, takes a completely different turn and thank goodness it did. This time, we get a Vegas rom-com adventure that’s filled with hilarious moments, outrageous misbehaviors and Kevin Hart keeping us in stitches along the way. While the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” mantra remains true in several successful comedy films in recent years, it doesn’t mean the party stops when the credits roll.

Wedding bells are ringing in the air as “The Mama’s Boy” Michael (Terrence J) and “the Single Mom” Candace (Regina Bell) are gearing up to marry at Caesar’s Palace in VEGAS! However, the happy couple run into the mother of all problems as Michael’s overbearing, domineering mother Loretta (Jenifer Lewis) decides to make plans of her own for the wedding.

Self-claimed Best Man Cedric (Kevin Hart) just reserved a high roller suite for the ultimate bachelor party. The guys are willing to make bad decisions that they will regret the following day, and some of the ladies follow suit with the bachelorette party. And the rest of the gang brought not only their support for Michael and Candace but also their relationship issues with them for the trip.

Dominic (Michael Ealy) and Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) are facing a decision due to job offers. Zeke (Romany Malco) is having trouble convincing Maya (Meagan Good) that he’s not a “playa” anymore. Jeremy (Jerry Ferrera) is under pressure by Kristen’s (Gabrielle Union) desire to having a baby while straight-laced couple Bennett (Gary Owen) and Tish (Wendi McLendon-Covey) want a kid-free weekend.

The guys and gals hope to outperform each other to see who can have the better blow-out but Loretta dishes her own plan by giving Candace the do’s and don’ts of bachelorette parties. With misfortunes along the way that can be downright disastrous, you’re in for an amusing two hours of your life.

This sequel has elements that resonate with anyone who has ever been in love. Director Tim Story keep the pace of the movie flowing smoothly by giving the actors a chance to bring their characters to life more fully. Their camaraderie on camera feels deep because of the reality each couple msut face. Story gives a wedding with a Vegas backdrop and lets the cast carry the film to the end. Each of the actors has a moment where they shine.

During a nightclub scene, the girls deliver a knockout performance when they are suddenly thrust into a music video set to Bell Biv Devoe’s smash hit “Poison.” I could not help but to tap my feet and reminisce of a time when music was popping. Be sure to look for a split second cameo in that scene. While the girls were rapping to the beat, the men are at a strip club being distracted by the dancers while trying to have some meaningful conversations.

While the movie could have just focused on the fun, it’s refreshing to see how the characters have evolved since the first film. Standout performances go to Ealy for being the laid back team player with a good conscience and Hart for being well… Kevin Hart.

Think Like a Man Too took a gamble on being a sequel that could go either way and paid off with a great ensemble that delivers a good time for your viewing pleasure.

FINAL GRADE: B+

About The Author

Dean Rogers

Editor-in-Chief/Entertainment Reporter

I knew early on that I wanted to take my place among the stars. One day, my mother saw me reading The Washington Post at a very young age. Who would have known that it would be the building blocks of my journey? Since that day, I dedicated my life to learn all that is learnable. I read everything from encyclopedias, to books, to dictionaries, to magazines. I’m also an avid consumer of television, with my favorite genre being game shows. If you’ve seen me on Who Wants to be a Millionaire or Wheel of Fortune, then you know that this interest has served me well!

My unique style of reporting began back in junior high school, when I started to chronicle the events that shaped my life. Whether it was the annual family vacation or the local science fiction convention, I shot numerous pictures and recorded my thoughts so I could truly appreciate the history. During my senior year at Friendly High, I wrote what was to be my first masterpiece, “Advanced Space Academy – A One Week Journey.” I sent the eleven-page article back to the U.S. Space Camp staff. The article was highly praised for being “one of the best written articles in the history of U.S. Space Camp.” From then on, I knew what I wanted to do for rest of my life — to be a reporter.

Since then, I have trained in Broadcast Journalism at Bowie State University (2008) in Bowie, MD earning a B.S. in Communications. I gained experience in news production and editing through field experiences with Bowie Community Media Corporation, Prince George’s Community Television, and Bowie State University Television. I also wrote scripts for a variety of quiz shows for over five years.

As a lifelong movie buff, I now see close to 100 films every year. I took this love of movies to the next step when I became a co-host for Eclipse Magazine TV in the fall of 2005. While at EMTV, I interviewed celebrities, worked red carpets, and attended a wide variety of movie screenings. In January 2009, I took a leap of faith and started my own entertainment news magazine, The Rogers Revue. Shortly afterward, my life-long journey of studying the silver screen and writing about what I learned finally earned me a place in the Washington Area Film Critics Association.

All of this has led me here, giving you the latest entertainment news for the DMV and the entire nation, and I am truly excited for whatever will come next.

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