RIDING on the success of Hong Kong's No. 1 box office comedy, 'Table For Six' is back with a sequel that is twice the fun as its predecessor.
Best of all, Malaysia is represented by actress Lin Min Chen, who plays the adorable but socially awkward girl Meow, and proves to be a major scene-stealer.
The movie, helmed by director Sunny Chan, brings back original cast members Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Min and Peter Chan, and also welcomes Tse Kwan Ho, Jeffery Ngai, Ho Kai Wa and Tseung Chi Kwong to the star-studded and hilarious ensemble cast.
In a nutshell, 'Table For Six 2' is about one family, three couples played by Stephy and Louis, Ivana and Peter, and Min and Dayo Wong (who is overseas this time), and three weddings.
We got a brief but funny introduction to them in the first movie, and this time the lovebirds decide to make their marriages work, but further challenges await.
This is largely because marriage is not just about two individuals but involves a whole family of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Such a situation is prevalent not only in Hong Kong but most East Asian societies, especially ethnic Chinese ones.
Sunny, with his unique brand of humour, once again dives into the dynamics of modern families and romance.
His movie promises to unravel a delightful web of relationships and this makes it a fun-filled family adventure to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
The most sensible of the girls, Stephy's character Monica is stepping into marital bliss, while Ivana's sassy Josephine is preparing for a grand marriage even though she is not so sure if this is what she wants.
As each couple prepares for their weddings, they get to don lavish and out-of-this-world costumes, such as Japanese anime outfits and Tim Burtonish Gothic ones that would suit Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter.
Of the gentlemen, Louis is the biggest show-stealer, especially when his character Bernard performs the late Cantopop king Leslie Cheung's best known pop song 'Monica' in a zany way to win back his wife's affections.
While Louis's version of 'Monica' is a far cry from Leslie's, he gives it a tasteful and humorous twist that makes viewers want to sing along.
Kudos to Sunny who has studied many performances of the original song to give it a nostalgic feel complete with dance moves popular in the 1980s.
Min has brushed up her Hong Kong Cantonese to prepare for the movie, even though Meow is still supposed to speak choppy Cantonese.
She is less naive and clumsy now, and speaks a lot of sense in her own quirky way.
Jeffery's suave but annoying Mark is easily the most surprising character, as the actor himself has admitted to being a serious person off stage.
He tickles every viewer from the word "go" and his battles with Meow are over the top.
While the movie is meant to be funny, there are several touching scenes which might make us shed tears, especially one where Monica and Bernard confront their innermost fears.
Another is a break-up scene which is the turning point in Lung's (Peter) and Josephine's relationship.
'Table For Six 2' is distributed by Lotus Five Star.
NOW SHOWING
TABLE FOR SIX 2
Directed by Sunny Chan
Starring Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min Chen, Peter Chan, Tse Kwan Ho, Jeffery Ngai, Ho Kai Wa and Tseung Chi Kwong.
Duration 120 minutes
Rating U