Movie Review: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel **1/2

Not many sequels live up to the original (see my review of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). The

Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel wants to, but like most sequels it misses the mark. It just doesn't have the same heart. Regardless, it's a joy watching Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, et al, and with the added bonus of Richard Gere and David Stathairn you'd think it would be a sure thing.
Nope.
The biggest problem is that it's not sure what it wants to be about so it tells a story about every character and ends up without focus. Some of the stories are mildly interesting, some are sort of heart-warming, most are contrived. Still, it's not that it's bad. It's entertaining. Mostly. I only fell asleep for a few minutes.
If you've seen the trailer you've seen the best of it.
The most I can say for it is you won't hate it.
And actually, I'd love for you to see it so you can tell me why the David Strathairn character shows up at the end, or what the hell happens to the Maggie Smith character in the end.
Two and a half out of five stars for The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.