Having married Ariel (Ann-Margret) in Grumpy Old Men, John Gustufson (Jack Lemmon) was living the good life. His daughter, Melanie (Daryl Hannah), is engaged to John's neighbor (Walter Matthau)'s son, Jake (Kevin Pollak).
Max and John had been best friends, but when a girl got in their way, they started fighting and had been since 1938. Many years later, living side-by-side, the "moron" and the "putz" found a new girl to fight over, who John eventually married. But after John got married to Ariel, and their kids became engaged, they kinda stopped. Kinda.
John and Max's favorite place was a small lake where they fished during the summer months. There was a bait shop there, but the owner passed on. Now it has been sold to an Italian named Maria (Sophia Loren), who is going to turn it into a restaurant. The only problem is that Max and John don't want the restaurant built, and will stop at nothing to keep their old bait shop.
So Max and John team up to battle the restaurant. However, Jake and Melanie's engagement is "on the rocks." John blames Max, and Max blames John, and so it is that their old feud is back on! There is another problem: Max has fallen in love with Maria!
This film is as good as the original Grumpy Old Men. MAtthau and Lemmon are at their best when they are together, and this is no exception.
Lemmon, Matthau, Margret, Loren and Merideth - the majority who have won Oscars - are absolutly fabulous together; their chemistry is wonderful. Loren and Margret have few scenes together - only one major one at that - but still work well together.
Burgess Merideth is funny as ever and his scenes steal the picture. His lines are hilarious. He is adorable with Maria's mother; they make a cute couple. Mr. Gustufson always said that GOD forgot him. But, when Meridith's character, Mr. Gustufson, passes away, it is the best scene in the film, and a very sad one at that. Lemmon says to his father's body, "I guess GOD finally remembered you."
Plot: 
Funny and charming, and as good as the first film. The sub-plot of Jake and Melanie's wedding and Mr. Gustufson's death make for a funny and albeit touching film.
The plot of the film suffers, however, because Loren is unbelivable as Matthau's love interest. This is made up in other ways, like the touching death scene, which really tugs at your heart strings.
Visual Effects:
There is only one visual effect shot in the picture and that is of a giant fish. But it still looks good, however.
Other than that, there are no other special effects shots save for some various camara angels which are all basic shots and very much average.
Sound:
There are many songs throughout the picture and they are all placed well to fit the scene they are in.
Character Development:
Most of the Character's depth comes from the first film and you should have seen it before this one to understand.
Atmosphere:
No matter if like them or not, you will irresistably drawn to Lemmon and Matthua just because they are who they are!
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
7.71/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
7-08-04
