Freakier Friday is a movie that knows exactly what it is, and gives its audience everything they're hoping for.
It's a genuine crowd-pleaser that also delivers all the body-switching slapstick fun and nostalgia of the first film.
This time, the stakes are much much bigger.
FREAKIER FRIDAY: PLOT AND CAST
While a wedding is still a key event driving the plot, the lives of the main leads have gotten a lot more complicated.
We find Anna, played by Lindsay Lohan, as a high-powered talent manager for a famous singer.
Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis's Tess is a wildly popular therapist and best-selling book author, who is preparing to go on a world tour.
The story gets more personal with the introduction of Anna's family.
She's now a single mom to Harper, a smart but awkward young girl portrayed by Julia Butters.
Anna is getting married to Eric, a charming chef played by Manny Jacinto, who has a daughter of his own named Lily, a budding fashion designer played by Sophia Hammons.
Of course, the new sisters don't get along, and their mutual dislike sets the stage for a four-way body switch that is much more chaotic than the original.
What makes the switch so much harder this time is that both Harper and Lily are actively trying to sabotage the wedding, and in doing so, they're making it harder to break the body switch curse.
It leads to some genuinely hilarious and often frantic moments as they navigate each other's very different lives while trying to get their own way.
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FREAKIER FRIDAY: ACTING STANDOUTS
Lindsay and Jamie Lee are completely on top of their game here.
The way they act like the younger girls feels so natural and believable.
It's a masterclass in comic timing and physical acting.
Julia and Sophia, on the other hand, do a good job of keeping up, but they don't quite get where they need to be.
Julia is passable as Anna, thanks to her resemblance to Lindsay. Sophia, meanwhile, faces a tougher challenge portraying Jamie Lee’s Tess, and she doesn’t quite capture her quirks.
But the true standout of the movie is Manny Jacinto as Eric.
He’s charming, affable, and easy on the eyes. It’s not hard to believe that Lindsay’s character will fall head over heels for him.
Manny also has a moment near the end of the movie that is so heartfelt and moving, it's guaranteed to bring a tear to everyone’s eyes.
The supporting cast also does a great job of adding to the fun.
Chad Michael Murray returns as Jake, Anna's ex, and it’s amusing to see how his character can’t shake off his massive crush on Tess.
Mark Harmon is heartwarming as Ryan, Tess's caring husband, and Vanessa Bayer is a riot as a fortune teller who seems to have a new gig every time she's on screen.
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FREAKIER FRIDAY: A VISUAL FEAST
Beyond the performances, the movie is a visual feast.
The fashion is outstanding, with every outfit looking carefully considered and perfectly in character.
The set design is equally exceptional, from Anna's trendy studio to Eric's posh restaurant.
And you'll definitely want to add the soundtrack to your playlist, as it's full of hit songs that are fun to hum along to long after you've left the cinema.
Just like the first movie, Freakier Friday may be a classic in the making.
It's a heartwarming, funny, and beautifully made film that you'll want to watch over and over again.
If you were a fan of the original, you're going to fall in love with this one all over again.