'Think Like a Man Too,' movie review

A gathering of a large group of friends can be energetically fun or crazy loud. “Think Like a Man Too” is thankfully more the first of those, though it’s not afraid to be the second one either.

Both options are embodied in the movie’s lively unofficial master of ceremonies, Kevin Hart. The diminutive, motormouthed comic makes sure this rom-comedy sequel never lags. The movie is based on Steve Harvey’s self-help book, just like the original “Think Like a Man” movie back in 2012.

In “Too,” Cedric (Hart) and his pals, all in various stages of coupledom, gather in Vegas for a wedding. Some of the guys are aiming to “make bad decisions they’ll regret the next day.”Most of the women are aiming to do the same thing.

Staying in the same hotel are the soon-to-be bride and groom, Michael (Terrence Jenkins) and Candace (Regina Hall). Cedric is best man, a responsibility meant to go to Dominic (Michael Ealy), who is having work-related conflicts with his love, Lauren (Taraji P. Henson). Both Dominic and Lauren are weighing job offers.

Then there’s Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara of “Entourage”) and Kristen (Gabrielle Union), hoping to make it over the baby-conception hurdle. Meanwhile, Zeke (Romany Malco) and Mya (Meagan Good) have to get over Zeke’s famous bachelor past, reminders of which keep popping up. And bland Bennett and Tish (Gary Owen and Wendi McLendon-Covey) try to get in the groove in their married-with-kids way.

Finally there’s the groom’s overbearing mother, Loretta (Jenifer Lewis). Her disapproving glances melt away when she meets one of the gang’s gentlemanly uncle (a great Dennis Haysbert). He’s flown in special to soothe the savage mom-in-law. Nothing can calm Cedric, however, as his best-man plans hit comical missteps.

Director Tim Story (“Barbershop,” “Ride Along”) keeps the movie running as smoothly as he did the first time ’round. That’s not so easy, with a cast this big and so many plotlines. But the actors make the raucousness feel as easy as the cinematic couples therapy.

The standouts are Ealy, graciously dialing down his leading-man charisma to be a team player, and Union, sexy and sweet as ever. The cast members give it their all, though Hall is forced to tone down the volcanically crazy energy she let loose in “About Last Night.” As for Hart, he could make a funeral fun. This whirling dervish is hilariously, almost headache-inducingly, silly.

“Think Like a Man Too” consistently lands on the right side of the comedy aisle, despite more than a few cliches — we never need to see a shot of pals walking in slow-motion to thumping music ever again.

The movie also heads toward unexpected places, as when the guys and girls arrive separately at a ladies’ male strip club, where a cash-poor Cedric talks his friends into dancing to win a cash prize. The night culminates in a free-for-all fight, not a sexy dance. Because when you have this many talented folks assembled, you don’t have to go for the easy shot.