Name: Tall Girl 2
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Released: 2022-02-10T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Ava Michelle, Griffin Gluck, Sabrina Carpenter, Clara Wilsey, Angela Kinsey

The final scene of “Tall Girl 2” is a spectacle of teen melodrama: Jodi Kreyman, the towering protagonist, stands on stage, bathed in the glow of opening night, finally silencing the nagging voice in her head that insists she’s not good enough. It’s a moment that should feel triumphant, but instead, it lands with the weight of a scripted after-school special.

Director Emily Ting’s sequel to the 2019 original picks up where the first film left off, with Jodi navigating newfound popularity and the pressures of high school life. The film is a textbook example of a Netflix teen rom-com: predictable plot points, familiar character arcs, and a soundtrack that leans heavily on pop hits to underscore every emotional beat. Ava Michelle reprises her role as Jodi, delivering a performance that is earnest but often overshadowed by the film’s clichéd dialogue and simplistic storytelling.

What works in “Tall Girl 2” are the moments of genuine connection between characters. Sabrina Carpenter, reprising her role as Jodi’s sister Harper, brings a spark of authenticity to her scenes, particularly when she challenges the expectations placed on her by society. The dynamic between Jodi and her love interest, Jack Dunkleman (Griffin Gluck), is also compelling in its exploration of teenage relationships and the complexities of forgiveness. The film’s exploration of self-acceptance and inner critique is a strong point, especially when it focuses on how these themes play out for characters like Fareeda (Anjelika Washington), who dreams of becoming a fashion designer despite her parents’ disapproval.

However, the film falters in its execution. The plot is riddled with predictable twists and turns, from Jodi’s miscommunications causing rifts with those around her to Kimmy Sticher’s (Clara Wilsey) redemption arc, which feels rushed and unearned. The film’s low budget is evident in the sets and production design, which often look cheap and lack the polish of more high-profile Netflix productions. Additionally, the pacing is uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others feel hastily resolved.

The soundtrack, while enjoyable, is used heavy-handedly to manipulate the audience’s emotions. Songs like “Kool” by BENEE are well-chosen but often feel out of place in the context of the film’s more dramatic moments. The cinematography is functional but unremarkable, relying on standard teen movie tropes like slow-motion walks down school hallways and overly bright lighting to create a sense of nostalgia.

In the end, “Tall Girl 2” is a forgettable sequel that offers very little beyond its predecessor. It’s a film that knows its audience and sticks to what they expect, but it lacks the originality and depth needed to stand out in the crowded field of teen rom-coms.

Tags: Netflix, comedies, Sabrina Carpenter, Ava Michelle, Emily Ting, Griffin Gluck