I was hoping that Ride Along 2 would not be like the first. I was hoping this would be a fresh and original comedy, but what I saw was a complete carbon copy of the first Ride Along - Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) trying to prove to James Payton (Ice Cube) that he is the right person for James’ sister, Angela Payton (Tika Sumpter).

This time Ben and James are hunting down a drug and arms dealer based in Miami, who is supplying dealers in their patch, Atlanta. James reluctantly brings Ben with him to Miami so that James can prove that he is the right person for James’ sister, just before their wedding. They must solve the crime and return in time to marry.

This is not a great movie, but I have to admit, was reasonably entertaining. It is better than other American comedy movies that have released recently and did make me laugh. A particular scene I liked was when Ben (Hart) was convincing a girl to give the duo information by using ringtones to show how the criminal has a low opinion of her, based on the ringtone.

The aim of a sequel is to top their predecessor, become “bigger and better”, as they say. Ride Along 2 is just far too similar to the first Ride Along movie and is way too predictable. Almost as if they said that was successful, people liked that; let’s do exactly the same again.

Like last time, Ben (Hart) is a more personable character than James (Ice Cube) and is able to win people over to support them using his charm. James is the serious character just trying to solve the crime and will do so with or without Ben’s help, despite the fact Ben saves his skin more times that he likes to admit.

If Ride Along 2 was more original and more individual, this movie could be a great success, unfortunately it is just a recycled plot and doesn’t become a winner in my books, but is still an entertaining movie nonetheless.