Ironiya sudby. Prodolzhenie

This production (I cannot bring myself to call it a movie, because it isn't) pretends to be a sequel to the beloved New Year romantic comedy the Irony of Fate (Ирония Судьбы). In fact, it is nothing more than a shameless attempt to cash in on the huge and well-deserved popularity of the original, which remains one of the favorites of the Russian-language audiences even after more than 30 years. This "sequel" brings together most of the original actors who appeared in the Eldar Ryazanov's masterpiece. As you might well imagine, the original actors are by now in their seventies - which is by no means a bar to being a good actor (just take a pick at any of Jack Lemmon's late movies!), provided that you do not try to play the same role you had 30 years ago. Unfortunately, the movie director Timur Bekmambetov (Тимур Бекмамбетов) completely lacks the ability to capitalize on the strengths of his actors; he is also clueless in the basic principles of scene composition, and is incapable of pulling off the most basic of physical jokes. In addition to that, the script lacks a coherent plot or basic believability. The production quality is also terrible - I've seen some home movies with more professional scene lighting, for example. Altogether, this is an extremely bad movie - avoid it at all costs, even if you have to pay to be let off watching it.

I would not say that the movie is awful, it is alright, but I would not call it a "sequel", which implies continuation of some story line. This is a modern remake, a very popular method among some producers and directors, who want to capitalize on the old idea and get some cash without spending too much time on a script.

The "sequel" copies the scenes from the first movie one after another. They even left the car crash scene! Come on, you could be more creative than that..

New actors play well, old ones are OK, but they do not really contribute to the movie, mostly serving as a background for attracting older generation to the screen.

I think that a lot of people who posted comments on this website got annoyed by the above facts and gave movie extremely low votes.

However, there are good things about the film too.

First of all - this is my personal opinion with which you can disagree - there are no long and boring songs in the sequel.

Secondly, it is good to see even a slight attempt to try and make a good movie. Of course, today's filmmakers are far from Gaydai and Riazanov, but still it is better than the stupidity of "The Best Movie".

Finally, I should say that most of young people - I am talking about 20-25 year old - liked the movie. Hence there is a hope that future generations will appreciate classics and won't degrade to monkey level.

That is why it is 5 from me

Personally, I thought that this movie will be а usual fake оf the first part. Thanks god that I was wrong! The second part has fanny dialogs, nice songs, good actors, New Year's magic and happy ending – all that what we liked so much in the firs part. I very much enjoyed the plot; It is closely connected with the first movie but is interesting and surprising. The atmosphere in the cinema during the film was fantastic – the move helped people to feel the beginning of the celebration.

I should recognize, that the film is close only to the Soviet spectator. Most people, not knowing Russian traditions simply will not understand details which are so important. The idea, the characters - all this strongly influences those to whom the concept of wide soul is close. Acting is great...the main hero is a real «nice very nice gay», which you will like and a girl in the movie is gorgeous!!! The film is worth seen: it will make you laugh at the beginning and cry at the end. Only one thing is not liked by me – it is the mixture of styles in camera work. Also advertising in the movie is too obvious and annoys.

Concerning everything, it is a great present for New Year!

If there is one lesson that could be drawn from this movie, it is this: do not touch old Soviet classics! Does anyone really think it is possible to produce a sequel to a movie thirty years after it came out on the screens? Since the old "Irony of Fate" was made, it has become one of the most venerated Soviet cultural icons. And icons are better be left alone. I'm not sure if any director would be able to make a successful "Irony of Fate-2", but what we are offered by Bekmambetov is at best a third-rate production. Bekmambetov may be a decent thriller-movie director (see his Daywatch and Nightwatch) but he is extremely weak as a maker of romantic comedies, which is what "Irony-2" was purported to be. The plot details are not developed at all (thus, we do not learn anything about Kostya's or Nadya's occupations or previous lives); the advertising of Toyota Camry is too obvious not to be noticed; and the acting, with the possible exception of Bezrukov (Irakliy) is one-dimensional and unconvincing. The old actors (Myagkov, Brylska) look tired, lost and emotionless, as if trying to understand what it is really they are doing in this movie. Special effects (such as the one with the Aurora) may be fitting in a fantasy thriller but they look out of place in a romantic comedy. In short, this is another proof that there is little worth seeing in post-Soviet cinema.

This movie should be considered not as a sequel but as an independent movie. This way it's more or less OK. I haven't expected much from the movie that's why I wasn't disappointed. I can say for sure it's not going to be a new classics though. While watching the movie I forgot sometimes that I was watching a romantic comedy… so many special effects made this movie look like Nightwatch. Advertising of Toyota and Beeline was so obvious and so annoying. Actors weren't very convincing. The only reason I'll probably watch the Irony of Fate-2 for the second time for is Liza Boyarskaya. She's gorgeous!!! I absolutely like her but not her acting in that movie though.