It only took me 22 years, but I finally watched Freaky Friday on Disney+ this week in anticipation of the sequel being released. It’s a story that has its origins in an earlier book, and a film that Kelly Osbourne originally auditioned for as Anna, but decided to back out. She later said it’s the biggest mistake she’s ever made, given the success of the movie.
Jamie Lee Curtis plays Tess Coleman, a single mum who constantly clashes with her teenage daughter Anna, played by Lindsay Lohan. When they are offered strange voodoo from a fortune cookie, they end up swapping into each others’ bodies. “A journey soon begins... its prize reflected in another’s eyes”. They eventually develop more of an understanding of each other.
The sequel Freakier Friday sees the return of Tess and Anna, but additional characters join the party, as two families attempt to unite with results as explosive as a botched chemistry experiment early in the movie that sees single mum Anna meet Eric as their daughters are both given detention following a messy cake bake sale food fight.
Unfortunately for them, the teacher splatted in the face with an entire key lime pie is allergic, and certainly doesn’t see the funny side. Enter a mysterious fortune teller (Madame Jen), cunningly hidden behind a drinks vending machine, who facilitates another magical body swap that this time goes four ways.
The overall theme is similar (characters in the story have to resolve their issues with each other before the earthquake happens & they are switched back), but will they manage to do this without scuppering Anna and Eric’s forthcoming big day?
There’s a good smattering of generation gap humour, and although I occasionally had to remind myself who had swapped with who, Jamie Lee Curtis bosses it as a stroppy teenager. I particularly liked the ‘sexy dance’ scene in the record shop, which Lohan reportedly went off script for, plentiful references to ‘boomers’ and ageing skin, and the strange sport of pickleball.
Stay for the outtakes during the end credits, which are also highly amusing. It was far better than I thought it would be, given I expected a half-baked sequel. Everyone seemingly had a lot of fun making it, and whilst it won’t linger long in the memory, it was a fun ride watching it.
I also watched the first Bad Guys again this week, which did really well when it was released back in 2022, and has recently spawned a decent sequel. I think Mr Piranha is still my favourite character, and I like the animation style. The script contains some decent one-liners, and it’s an entertaining watch. No wonder it made over 250 million dollars worldwide.
Next week, I may finally watch Smurfs, plus verdicts on Nobody 2 (I loved the bus scene in the first Nobody), Weapons and Materialists. I might even squeeze in the new Eddie Murphy film The Pickup on Netflix. If you’ve watched something, let me know your thoughts! It’s alex.cann@notreallyheremedia.com.
