Another Simple Favor is the sequel to a movie I apparently really enjoyed from seven years ago but have almost no memory of. And reading my review, I can see why I enjoyed it… it sounds like fun! So I just dove into its unexpected sequel hoping for the best. It was slow going (and long) but it worked out.

The film stars Anna Kendrick doing her usual quirky comedy gold. Apparently after the events of the first movie, she wrote a book about it. But Blake Lively’s character is fresh out of jail and demands she (Kendrick) be her maid of honor at her wedding in Capri.

Just like the first film (based on my review), they continue with the gimmick of a serious (if soapy) murder mystery with everyone melodramatically acting up a storm while Kendrick wanders in from a different movie. While everyone else is dead serious, she bring her energy and goofy personality instead. And she’s funny with some great line readings and asides.

But the movie is way too long with too many red herrings. It takes awhile to finally lay out its twisty crazy fun plot… and up to then, I was a little bored and wondering how they were gonna fill the time. I’d laugh on occasion but genuinely thought I was gonna slap a much lower score on the flick. But, yeah, its crazy soap opera twists with Kendrick doing her non-serious thing was very funny.

So, yeah, it’s a bit rough in patches but it proves itself out in its second half. Wish it was stronger throughout, but given my giggles and chortles, I’m giving it a low 80. And I’d love if they turned this into a Knives Out-like franchise where Kendrick can be our ongoing sleuth wandering cluelessly into new and even more inventive crimes.

Score: 80