Freaky Friday 2: Encore dans la peau de ma mère

The most enjoyable thing about body swaps is truly getting to see the actor become the other character. Face/Off, Big, 13 Going on 30, both Freaky Fridays, etc - you really feel the role reversal. That's what made the 2003 version so endearing, you really enjoyed the characters trapped in the other body like it actually happened. I'd say JLC was really the only one that truly succeeded in that regard here. *Saying* dialog or wearing different clothes or being uncomfortable doesn't cut it. Lilo was enjoyable all around, but she didn't truly take on the other character as well as last time. Probably because the teens weren't that memorable as JLC and Lilo swapping were. And the dual swaps with actors that aren't as memorable for their caricatures or impressions made the movie really confusing, and I was continually using too much brain power to try and remember who was really who, and a good body swap shouldn't have that problem.

I'm a little frustrated with the marketing, that we've been fed so much of the legacy characters, to spend so much time with these newcomers. I get the need to reach all audiences, so I know there's no way around that, but I would have loved to see more involvement from Mark Harmon (Tess' husband Ryan) and Ryan Margarini (Anna's younger brother). Chad Michael Murray (Jake) was also under utilized, as well as Pink Slip. There were more included from the legacy cast than I expected, but they were too short.

Overall I laughed and cried and smiled, but having Tess' husband and Anna's younger brother swap would have been more fun than two newcomers. I was a little too confused to say that I enjoyed it more than the first one, and the characters broke reality a few too many times with jokes for the sake of age rather than what characters would realistically do. As an editor myself, the movie could have lost about 10 minutes for better comedy pacing.

This film won't be remembered for its stellar body swapping, but younger audiences will for sure enjoy the antics and everyone with a heart will get the feels at the end, and the family might just be a little closer to each other. For everyone's sake, I hope the film makes a profit so we can see Freakiest Friday in 20 years - but please, have JLC and Lilo swap places again.

Maybe I had a hangover when I saw this in theaters and entered an alternate reality. Didn't understand the comedy or the jokes to where the audience laughed. I mean i giggled but was disappointed seeing this sequel. Definitely not a "sequel for millennials". Happy for Jamie & Lindsey though, hence my 5 stars.

I honestly wasn't expecting to like Freakier Friday as much as I did - but wow, it totally surpassed my expectations. This feels like every millennial's dream sequel, and I'm not ashamed to say it genuinely got a tear out of me.

It's so self-aware and funny, with just the right amount of nostalgia mixed with a fresh, modern twist. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan slip back into Tess and Anna like no time has passed - their chemistry is electric, heart-warming, and hilarious all at once.

The new generational spin brings so much life to the story, adding fresh laughs and surprisingly touching moments - especially around the mother-daughter relationships that so many of us will find relatable.

This was the perfect sequel. You can tell every actor gave it their all but also had so much fun in the process. Disney, you actually did it - and it's nostalgia done right.

Freakier Friday is the sequel to Freaky Friday from 2003. This follow-up is directed by Nisha Ganatra, known for Late Night and Transparent.

Twenty-two years after Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) experienced a body swap, a lot has changed. Anna is now a mother herself to daughter Harper (Julia Butters) and soon-to-be stepmother to stepdaughter Lily (Sophia Hammons). She is trying to take on the challenge of keeping a blended family running smoothly.

After a special incident, they find themselves swapping bodies again - but this time, the daughter and stepdaughter are also involved. Until they manage to switch back, the four must try to function in each other's lives. That's quite a challenge, as a lot has changed in 22 years, and there is still much to learn.

This sequel, set 22 years later, essentially copies the story of the first film but makes it bigger by adding extra characters. This not only makes it more extensive but also somewhat more complicated, as this time you follow four characters who have swapped bodies. That can make it tricky to keep track of what each of them is doing.

Despite the repetition, the film plays nicely into modern-day topics, in which different age groups can recognize themselves, and it shows how varied the worldview can be between generations. This leads to several comedic moments. The film also appeals to fans of the original, who have grown older themselves and may now face relatable life situations or changes, just like the characters.

Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons convincingly portray older people trapped in younger bodies, delivering believable performances. For Jamie Lee Curtis, even though it's yet another body swap - this time from granddaughter to grandmother - she still manages to create comedic moments and do remarkable things for someone her age. It's also a treat to see Lindsay Lohan return to her role. Compared to when she starred in the first film, she has faced many dark moments in her life, but she has now been sober for several years and is living a healthy lifestyle again.

I decided to watch Freaky Friday again, mostly out of nostalgia rather than high expectations. It's not exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but it has that familiar, feel-good charm that brings you back to a simpler time.

The story about switching bodies - is predictable, but it works well enough the second timw. What gives the film a bit of freshness is the energy brought by the young actresses, who add some brightness and fun to an otherwise average script. Their performances give the movie a certain warmth that makes it more enjoyable than it probably deserves to be.

So no, the film isn't amazing - but it's light, it's harmless, and if you're feeling nostalgic like I was, it might just hit the spot.

⭐ Rating: 6/10 - mostly for the nostalgia and the youthful charm.