Elle returns in The Kissing Booth 2 in this anticipated Netflix sequel. This time, we see Elle and her bestie Lee tackle senior year, alongside handling her long-distance relationship with Noah.
We start with Elle recapping her summer with Noah- before he left for Harvard. We find out Lee has become more buff – as well as falling deep in love with Rachel, Noah and Elle finally spent time together at his parent’s beach house and that her and Lee even started a gaming podcast– reaching a whole 37 subscribers!
However, summer came to an end and Noah left for Boston. Senior year starts with ideas for the up and coming carnival and once again, the Kissing Booth returns – by popular demand. However, this is on the condition they feature another heartthrob – like Noah last year.
This year’s dreamboat is Marco. Elle and Marco, although at first appear not to get on, they become closer as they compete in the Dance Dance Mania competition together – in order to win $50,000. Alongside Lee and Elle’s budding friendship, Rachel starts to become jealous that Lee is always choosing Elle over their relationship.
All the way in Boston, Noah is adapting to college life. Along the way, he becomes good friends with newcomer Chloe. Elle sees Chloe as a threat, becoming jealous and wonders if there is anything more going on between the pair. Alongside the quirky humour and matters of the heart along the way, you need to watch to find out what happens for the pair…
This sequel brings us the lovey dovey storyline and amusing humour we saw in the first The Kissing Booth. This is through besties Lee (Joel Courtney) and Elle (Joey King). Neither of them had changed from how they were in the first film as they bounce off each other so well.
Unlike other sequels, these characters don’t change. Joel Courtney is one of the standout characters in this film as he both brings the humour and serious side to his character. Although Joey King does this well, Lee is more stand out as we do not see him as much as Elle.
The new addition to the cast is of course heartthrob Marco – played by Taylor Zakhar Perez Marco is a great addition to the film as he isn’t only a heavenly sight to look at, but he brings more drama and as he begins to fall for Elle (which is apparent) and plays alongside her humour. He also appears as a triple threat as he also sings and dances! How can you resist?
A stand out subplot in this sequel is the growing relationship between newcomer Ollie and Myles (who was revealed to be gay in the first film). It’s a budding love we see as the film progresses as Ollie learns about his true feelings and eventually reveals them to the world – and Myles of course…
Perhaps, the only pitfall you can pick up is the more noticeable voiceover from Elle. Although there was a voiceover in the first film, for some reason it was more obvious in The Kissing Booth 2. However, this made it easier for us to understand the story and an insight into what Elle was really feeling.
Ultimately, this sequel was not disappointing and brought us the exact same feeling we had from the first Kissing Booth. The love, the comedy and the drama provide us with the feelgood we want from a film. And, what is even better is we were left with a cliff-hanger, so it leaves it open for a third instalment! Something I cannot wait for!
By Katie Green
Feature image: Newsweek