I'VE BURIED TOO MANY BATMEN, MISTER BRUCE.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I actually think that I prefer this to The Trip. The serious aspects are more effective/less awkward, the cinematography and music are absolutely gorgeous, and above all else, this one was straight-up funnier. The Batman & Bane scene toward the beginning was the hardest I've laughed in a theater all year; I'm pretty sure I snorted and embarrassed my friends. Also accidentally spat my soda out at another point during the film. Undignified signs of damn good comedy.

All I know is I've watched the 'Michael Parkinson interview' five times and I laughed harder each time.

"We'll come back to you, Steve, and now Michael Bublé..."

54/100

A.V. Club review. More of the same, though no bit here is nearly as inspired as "Gentlemen, to bed!" or the dueling Michael Caines (though the latter makes a reappearance, among several other audience-courting callbacks). Brydon and Coogan—and I place Brydon first expressly to annoy Coogan—make such a pleasurable team that they could probably make half a dozen of these without exhausting our goodwill; if they keep going, I do hope they eventually realize that the would-be poignant material about their fake personal lives is superfluous.

Expert sequel-ing. Self aware, and yet avoids trying to top the pleasures of the original. And if not funnier than the first at least as funny, while also digging a little deeper into Brydon and Coogan's anxieties. A day later, I'm still laughing about kumquat. And Brydon's Man in the Box making an appearance in Pompeii was not only hilarious, its borderline inappropriateness - along with Coogan's response to it - actually made the thousands year-old tragedy of the place hit home in a way that surprised me. And the look on Brydon's face after he books the big movie gig told me more about the melancholy of the movie business than anything this side of (the oft mentioned) Fellini.

Currently streaming via Netflix.

Things feel somewhat programmatic in this sequel, yet the heart of it is thankfully the same thing that made the first film so entertaining: Coogan and Brydon's impromptu frenemy conversations, peppered with plenty of celebrity impersonations. Winterbottom also finds new dishes and new vistas on which to train his camera—all lovely, if dripping with a heightened affluence that feels a bit self-satisfied this time around.

Wonderful travel movie around Italy!

"It's better to accept it. You're gonna be on a slab."

I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first, probably because it has deep veins of melancholy. I'm very happy to have discovered this series this year. Some days I don't want a deeply detailed plot, I just like to watch two friends in beautiful locales, eating amazing food and discussing the big and small complexities that come with life.

Two more to go!

2020 Ranked

Coogan's reaction to being told that Humphrey Bogart was in a car accident during filming of Beat the Devil - a shocked "this is news to me!" - is a true treasure. I think this is actually funnier than the first one.

Short Review

A huge improvement over the first part! The Trip to Italy creates a much more endearing and entertaining atmosphere than its predecessor. The continuous bickering has a much friendlier tone to it which adds immensely to the problems the already iconic duo carry around with them in this part. Family matters, relational values and the all around philosophy of friendship is elevated to new heights and is brought to our attention in the many conversations they have. Through all the Mediterranean cuisine, impersonations, Alanis Morissette songs and lovely, simplistic cinematography of Italy, we get a wonderful insight in the evolution of two men and the value their friendship holds within the whole of aging. Honestly, I wish to be like this when I reach that age...

Chris: "Haha"

Emily "Who are they impersonating?"

Chris: "oh. I don't know"

A movie filled with people talking with their mouth full. Torture. Couldn't get through 15 minutes.

Rating is for TV series version.

Wonderful travel movie around Italy!

Beautiful, funny and natural like the first one.

Has all the easiest, surface level joys of the first (super natural performances, lovely locations, nice food), but none of the character stuff. Plus, just simply didn’t find it as funny as the first. It’s funnier having the dumb impressions contrasted with Coogan hating Brydon every time. Is it just me or do they seem like closer friends? Idk, maybe there’s a sweetness to that, but this just feels like all complexity is gone and I’m hanging out with two reasonably entertaining people in an uncritical travel log.

further confirms my hunch that late Strauss kino-ifies any footage

The conceit hasn't worn too thin here yet, but I do slightly pity the actresses used as garnishes.

Still feels entertaining, but perhaps it's the overreliance on the formula of the original that brings out just how much the film relies on a mix of general impressions and film references. There does seem to be less of an insightful look into the shortcomings of Coogan's and Brydon's characters as much as the original did, opting for more straightforward, easily digestible humor.

where has rob brydon been all my life?

[TV Version]
Compared to its predecessor, The Trip to Italy benefits from a change in location, moving from the desaturated and damp landscapes of England to the more open and brighter sights of Italy. The reliably humorous rapport of Coogan and Brydon is present too, but the "narrative" holding together this iteration of The Trip is almost non-existent, leading to a much more aimless and not-as-satisfying journey as a whole. The real saving grace is of course the banter and there's some nice gems in there to stick around for. Alas, I'm almost certain most people watching any of The Trip TV series or the edited down films aren't going in for an involved plot. It's largely an excuse to sit back and relax to some nice food shots and smatterings of British humour. While not as cohesive story-wise, The Trip to Italy does just enough to be a decent time-waster.

[watched on ABC iView over 19-23 October 2020]

And now: Michael Bublé