Freakier Friday is a new film released in theaters this weekend, and is the sequel to 2003’s film, Freaky Friday. Directed by Nisha Ganatra & written by Jordan Weiss, the film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Mark Harmon, and Chad Michael Murray. Years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover lightning might indeed strike twice.

I remember watching the 2003 version all the time as a kid. I can’t say I was particularly a fan, but it felt like a favorite in my household. I have to note that it came out in 2003 as there have been different versions of this with the 2003 version being the most popular version to date. It makes sense for there to be a sequel to it, and there has been demand for one. So much so that Jamie Lee Curtis is credited as a producer on the sequel due to how much she tried bringing this to life. She understands how much of a fanbase the 2003 movie has. I can’t say I have been eager for a sequel, but to my surprise, this one manages to fully embrace how to make a legacy sequel work.

Jamie Lee Curtis & Lindsay Lohan return to their respective roles like they never left. They not only understand the love of these characters, but know how to fully embody them even after 22 years. I managed to skip all of the promotional material in the film, so seeing where the story goes compared to the first was a nice surprise. While it’s not something I would have expected from a sequel, I think it manages to go in the right direction by respecting the past and embracing the present.

Under new direction, the film has a somewhat of a different tone that I think will gain new fans, much like there were fans of the first. Director Nisha Ganatra honors what came before while placing her own stamp that I guarantee will cement her future projects going forward, especially if you can make a legacy sequel like this good. She even brings out some incredible performances from everyone involved. Making legacy sequels can be challenging. Either you embrace too much of what came before, proving that it was just a money-maker, or you go off the deep end with no justification of what came before. The film is neither those things. By doing something different with the story, the film once again invokes new themes that will connect with viewers.

With a runtime longer than the first, you can certainly feel that runtime. The runtime is almost justified due to how much bigger the story is. At the same time, the pacing can certainly drag, making the film longer than it needs to be. The film has a unique set up. It’s cliche, but it’s also different in a way. It can also run way too long. It takes about 30 minutes for the actual story to get going. Even then, it still feels like it can take a while for the film to find its footing after the inciting incident occurs.

The film does offer plenty of laughs that isn’t recycling what came before. Due to how long it is though and how overdramatic it can be at times, the film isn’t as funny as the first. Before watching the sequel, I did revisit the first one. The first one really brings out the laughs. There is a reason why the first is iconic. I think this one will stand out more due to how effective the new story is, how it makes sense, and what new lessons viewers can take out of it.

I did like how the film continues to embrace the relationship with Curtis & Lohan. It makes sense for where they are now and how they are still close. Adding Manny Jacinto to the film was also perfect casting as he & Lohan have impeccable chemistry. Seriously, the guy is on a role lately. There are just some aspects of the plot that make no sense. While I liked how Lohan’s character is a single mom, I still didn’t understand why she was. They never explained that. At first, I thought the dad might be Chad Michael Murray. That would make the most sense. It just feels like they lost out on a good opportunity to really bring back Murray. The way he comes back doesn’t make much sense and is only there for fan-service.

There is a sense of nostalgia that comes from seeing the Disney logo appear before a live-action movie. It makes sense why we haven’t seen them lately as Disney has been investing more into their money-makers like Marvel & Star Wars. Even then, I think Disney is seeing where those are slowing down, so why not go back to basics? I sincerely hope this is a new dawn for Disney live-action movies that we don’t get anymore.

Overall, Freakier Friday a crowd-pleasing follow-up that proves why it needs to exist. It gives something to satisfying to fans of the first, while gaining new fans with the sequel. The story doesn’t always work and the pacing could have been improved. In the end, I am surprised by how of this worked. I don’t think we need another sequel to this, but I do hope this gives Disney the confidence to make more live-action movies based solely on their brand rather than their own investments.

VERDICT: 3/5 (Good)