Just like the last movie, I still cannot believe Lionsgate thought it was a good idea to make a sequel. Admittedly, though, I saw that this NOTM sequel managed to tidy things up a bit. For instance, the animation is better. Not master-class-level, but at least at a Hoodwinked Too! Level. Another improvement is actually having a few decent scenes here and there, such as Jin and Dexter's backstory, along with that whole scene of Norm asking a goose where he can find the Beijing University; NGL, that was pretty clever. They also toned down the pop culture references, which, in an opinion from a guy who used to like Doogal when he was a kid, is actually not a bad move for a bad franchise like Norm of the North.
Now, we get to the bad parts. Despite the many improvements, this film still has, many classic Norm elements are still included. For instance, the plot holes. Where do I begin? Norm knows what Beijing is, Norm manages to get into the university without being bombarded by fans considering his POPULARITY. What about Dexter managing to pinpoint Jin's location? Did Dexter have a Jin-tracker on him, or was it a lucky guess? What about that one-scene wonder, or in my case, one-scene blunder, where Dexter's pet Komodos, Chaos and Mayhem, manage to USE A LAPTOP?1 Oh, wait till you hear the best worst part. In the ending, Norm and Jin defeat Dexter and find the hidden treasure which could only be seen for 100 years. Spoiler alert, the cave actually had an OPENING that lead in and out of the mountain, meaning that anyone could've accessed it anytime! What kind of junk were you on, Mike Young and Lionsgate execs?
There's also some bad problems. Fong, while still a confusing and unneeded character, gets turned into a butt-monkey. Additional plot hole: How can a rabbit like FONG attend business school? Why is he also the only animal other than Norm and Quinn that everyone understands, and why does he work among them? And as for Norm's son, Quinn. He's a total jerk when he temporarily takes over his father's position. What's worse? He NEVER learns from his mistakes. Worst. Role. Ever.
To anyone who wants to watch this with their kids, don't do it! Don't listen to the Dove seal, don't be charmed by its decent-looking poster, and DEFINITELY don't watch it at all costs.
Now, we get to the bad parts. Despite the many improvements, this film still has, many classic Norm elements are still included. For instance, the plot holes. Where do I begin? Norm knows what Beijing is, Norm manages to get into the university without being bombarded by fans considering his POPULARITY. What about Dexter managing to pinpoint Jin's location? Did Dexter have a Jin-tracker on him, or was it a lucky guess? What about that one-scene wonder, or in my case, one-scene blunder, where Dexter's pet Komodos, Chaos and Mayhem, manage to USE A LAPTOP?1 Oh, wait till you hear the best worst part. In the ending, Norm and Jin defeat Dexter and find the hidden treasure which could only be seen for 100 years. Spoiler alert, the cave actually had an OPENING that lead in and out of the mountain, meaning that anyone could've accessed it anytime! What kind of junk were you on, Mike Young and Lionsgate execs?
There's also some bad problems. Fong, while still a confusing and unneeded character, gets turned into a butt-monkey. Additional plot hole: How can a rabbit like FONG attend business school? Why is he also the only animal other than Norm and Quinn that everyone understands, and why does he work among them? And as for Norm's son, Quinn. He's a total jerk when he temporarily takes over his father's position. What's worse? He NEVER learns from his mistakes. Worst. Role. Ever.
To anyone who wants to watch this with their kids, don't do it! Don't listen to the Dove seal, don't be charmed by its decent-looking poster, and DEFINITELY don't watch it at all costs.