‘Good Burger 2’ Review – Heavy On Nostalgia, But Still A Good Reunion For Kenan And Kel

Welcome to Good Burger, Home of The Good Burger, Can We Take Your Order?  Twenty-six years after they last said the iconic phrase, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell return for the sequel to the 1997 cult hit. The movie is heavy on ’90s nostalgia but stays on the grill too long. This burger is overcooked. Good Burger 2 is far from the most insufferable film of the year; however, it offers nothing new to the menu that the original did so well.

The story picks up with Dexter (Thompson) down on his luck after an invention investment fails to launch. Faced with no career prospects, he turns to his best friend Ed (Mitchell), who graciously comes to his aid and gives him his old job back at Good Burger. The film spends the first half dropping cameos and reliving the greatest hits of the original. Even the Burger Mobile rides again! The film’s crux involves a buy-out of Good Burger by greedy executives, who in turn corporatize the burger restaurant. Ed, now the owner, signs away business at Dexter’s urging. Dexter and Ed put their heads together when the mistake becomes apparent to get back the business.

In addition to Thompson and Mitchell’s return, the film peppers in an extra helping of cameos. The ’90s faces like Lori Beth Denberg pop up for a hilarious interaction at the counter. As for the film’s antagonist, there is a connection to the original’s heavy. Instead of Mondo Bozwell, the duo faces his sister Katt Bozwell (Jillian Bell), the company’s CEO buying out Good Burger. She has a few moments and crafts a classic revenge story filled with all the usual pitfalls and upsets.

Good Burger 2, when it pauses the comedy, does have a timely story about the corporatization of small businesses and the threat posed by artificial intelligence. The scheme by the appropriately named MegaCorp seeks to gut Good Burger and artificialize the restaurant into a nightmarish fast food conglomerate. There is even an AI Ed! Now, do not expect a robust social commentary from the film; however, the humor aside, the situation in the movie is authentic and happening now.

On a lighter note, there is no denying Thompson and Mitchell’s chemistry. In their first full-sale reunion as their classic character, they sit seamlessly back into the world of Good Burger. Thompson especially demonstrates his acting chops. In the fleeting serious moments in a film like Good Burger 2, Thompson brings his wit and charm seen on full display through years of Saturday Night Live. Mitchell makes the most straightforward return to character, as Ed was always the comic relief to Dexter’s straight man. However, their comedic timing is in synch. At the very least, this movie provides a beautiful and hilarious reunion for a brilliant comedic duo.

At the film’s penultimate climax – they shine like they did in the original movie or even on Kenan and Kel. As they battle robotic versions of the Good Burger employees, one cannot help but smile. Soaking with ketchup and dripping with mustard, the end is a fast-food extravaganza of silliness. Overdone at times, these moments are special throwbacks to anyone who watched these two in the 90s. 

Good Burger 2 is a movie mainly for the fans of the original. Too much slapstick humor creates a distraction, but Thompson and Mitchell never phone in their performance. They treat the material as seriously and hilariously as they did in 1997. Twenty-six years later, there is less an attempt to add another layer of special sauce, but rather to deliver delicious ’90s nostalgia. 

Something needs to be added to this film that would otherwise elevate it to the status of the original. The movie breaks no new ground in the nostalgia-revival-craze. Good Burger 2 is over-stuffed with the comedy but needs more meat regarding the story. Still, it cannot be faulted for providing a witty callback to a cherished era and being patently entertaining.

Good Burger 2 is currently available to stream on Paramount+. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zD1p8yp-I]