The Disappointing Greek Wedding: Why My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Missed The Mark

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 has been deemed a disappointment by many, receiving generally negative reviews from critics. The film, written and directed by Nia Vardalos, is the third instalment in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. It has been criticised for its script, editing, and comedic timing, with some viewers deeming it atrocious and cringe-worthy. The film's plot centres around Toula's attempt to locate her late father's childhood friends in Greece for a family reunion, but it fails to deliver on its promising premise. The characters are thinly drawn, the humour falls flat, and the overall execution falls short of the charm and warmth of its predecessors.

Poor comedic timing and forced jokes

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" received generally negative reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 29% and a Metacritic score of 35/100. Audiences also gave the film a mediocre CinemaScore grade of "B".

One of the main criticisms of the film is its poor comedic timing and forced jokes. One viewer commented that the jokes were there, but the delivery and comedic timing were absent, causing every single joke to fall flat. Another viewer noted that the film felt scripted and that the actors seemed disengaged, resulting in a lack of heart and connection with the characters.

In addition to poor comedic timing, viewers also criticised the film's plot, character development, and overall emptiness. The plot was described as thin, with one viewer noting that there was barely any plot at all. The characters also fell flat, with viewers criticising the unlikeable and unrelatable daughter, Paris, and the lack of connection with the other characters.

The film's setting in Greece was also disappointing to some viewers, who felt that the locations lacked energy and did not accurately represent the country.

Overall, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" failed to deliver on the humour and charm that made the first film a surprise hit, resulting in a disappointing and forgettable sequel.

Lacklustre plot and character development

The third instalment of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise has been criticised for its lacklustre plot and character development. The film's plot centres on Toula's attempt to locate her father's childhood friends in Greece for a family reunion following the death of the family patriarch. However, critics have described the plot as "thin" and "confusing", with one reviewer stating that the film felt like a bunch of random scenes in Greece.

In addition to the main plot, the film also explores the personal lives of the Portokalos family members, including Toula and Ian's daughter Paris, who is struggling with the responsibilities of college and a secret that she is keeping from her parents. While these subplots provide some depth to the characters, they ultimately fail to make a significant impact on the overall narrative, with one reviewer commenting that the film "barely had a plot".

The character development in the film has also been criticised as lacking. The main characters, including Toula and Ian, are described as "toned-down versions of their larger-than-life selves", with little to no character growth or development throughout the film. This is particularly notable in the case of Paris, whose struggles with independence and romance are meant to be a central part of the film but ultimately fall flat, with viewers finding her unlikeable and unrelatable.

The film also introduces new characters, such as Victory, the mayor of Gus's hometown, and Aristotle, Paris's college-mate. However, these characters fail to make a significant impact on the narrative, with Victory's plan to revive the village feeling contrived and Aristotle's role in the film being overshadowed by the other subplots.

Overall, the plot and character development in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 are criticised as lacklustre, with the film failing to capture the heart and humour that made the original so beloved.

Bad editing and poor direction

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 has been criticised for its poor editing and direction. The film's writer and director, Nia Vardalos, has been described as a "terrible director", with the film's editing described as "choppy" and "shoddy". The film's opening scene, which features a slideshow of "family photos" that are actually just screenshots from the first two films, has been described as a clear indicator of the poor editing to come.

The film's editing has been described as "frenetic", with too many cuts and "shoddy transitions" that are "distracting". One viewer noted that the film felt like a series of random scenes that could have been placed anywhere in the film, with no clear structure or narrative flow. The film's poor editing is especially notable given that it is set in the visually stunning location of Greece, which could have been used to great effect with better editing and direction.

In addition to poor editing, the film has also been criticised for its lack of direction. Viewers noted that the actors' facial expressions suggested they received little to no direction, with one viewer commenting that the actors looked like they had been told to "just walk that way and look over there". The film's direction has also been criticised for failing to capture the warmth and humour of the original film, with the humour in the third instalment feeling forced and scripted.

Overall, the poor editing and direction of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 have been cited as major factors in its disappointing reception, with viewers describing it as a "terrible movie" that was "agonising and excruciating" to watch.

Lack of tension and conflict

The third instalment of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise has been criticised for its lack of tension and conflict. The plot of the film centres around Toula, her husband Ian, and the rest of the Portokalos family as they travel to Greece to hand over her deceased father's notebook to his childhood friends. However, viewers have complained that the film lacks a compelling narrative arc, with one viewer stating that the film consists of "15-20 random scenes you could have put anywhere".

The film has been described as "empty", with poorly executed comedic elements and a lack of the family dynamic that made the original film so charming. The characters' relationships feel forced and unnatural, resulting in a lack of tension and conflict that leaves the film feeling flat and unengaging.

In addition, the film's attempt to introduce conflict through the character of Paris, Toula's daughter, falls flat. Paris's secret about her college life is easily guessed by viewers, and her romantic subplot with Aristotle fails to create any meaningful tension. The revelation of her academic probation is meant to create drama, but it falls flat and feels disconnected from the rest of the film.

The absence of the family patriarch, Gus, and the limited presence of Maria, Toula's mother, who is battling dementia, also contribute to the lack of conflict and family dynamics that made the previous films so engaging. The film tries to make up for this by introducing a surprise half-brother, Peter, but this plot twist feels forced and unnecessary.

Overall, the lack of tension and conflict in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is a result of a poorly executed script, unnatural character relationships, and a lack of compelling narrative arcs. The film fails to recreate the charm and family dynamics that made the previous instalments so successful.

Unnecessary sequel

The third installment of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise has been deemed an "unnecessary sequel" by some viewers, who argue that the first film ended with a "neat little bow" and did not warrant any follow-ups. The original film was a surprise box office hit, but its success is seen as a fluke and a cultural moment that could not be replicated.

The second film, released in 2016, was also considered unnecessary by some, and the fact that the third film was released seven years later may have contributed to the sense that these sequels were superfluous. The plot of the third film centres on Toula's attempt to locate her father's childhood friends in Greece for a family reunion, following the death of the family patriarch. However, some viewers found the plot to be thin and the film to be lacking in substance.

One reviewer on Reddit commented that the film had "zero reason to exist", and that not everything needs to become a franchise. This sentiment was echoed by another reviewer who stated that the first film "wasn't a franchise launch" and that the TV series spin-off was quickly cancelled, indicating a lack of sustained interest in the story beyond the original film.

The third film also faced criticism for its directing, acting, and script. Some viewers found the comedy forced and the characters unlikeable or unrelatable. The film's setting in Greece was also criticised for lacking the expected drama and loudness associated with the franchise.

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