My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 – Film Review

The success of the first two installments has raised expectations for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, which opens in theaters this weekend. The film, which is once more helmed by Nia Vardalos, follows the Portokalos family as they travel to Greece for a family reunion in memory of the late Gus Portokalos, a cherished figure played by Michael Constantine. Unfortunately, the charm and humor that made the first movie a cult classic are missing from this sequel. Despite the best efforts of the ensemble cast, which also includes Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, and Lainie Kazan, the film is unable to replicate the magic of the original.

Michael Constantine, who passed away in 2021, is noticeably absent throughout the entire movie. Gus, who played a key role in the franchise, was responsible for a lot of its funny and touching moments. Without him, the film must take on the difficult task of bridging the gap left by his absence, and unfortunately it falls short.

The film’s poor screenplay is one of its biggest flaws. The third installment of My Big Fat Greek Wedding feels like a pale imitation of the beloved original, which was praised for its clever and endearing script. Since too many of the jokes are reused from earlier movies, the humor frequently falls flat. Instead of developing a unique and compelling plot, it appears that the writers were counting on nostalgia to carry the movie.

The Portokalos family’s journey to Greece for a family reunion after Gus’s passing is central to the story. While the film makes an effort to combine comedy, drama, and family dynamics, the execution is inconsistent. Although there are some heartfelt moments in the play, especially when the characters think back on their memories of Gus, these are frequently overshadowed by forced humor and fabricated conflicts.

As Fotoula “Toula” Portokalos, Nia Vardalos returns, and she is just as lovable as ever. The neurotic yet endearing personality of her character is one of the movie’s high points. Despite the script not giving them as much to work with, John Corbett and Toula Miller’s chemistry is still there as they reprise their roles as each other’s spouses. Both Nick Portokalos and Maria Portokalos, played by Louis Mandylor and Lainie Kazan, return, but their roles are underdeveloped and do not significantly advance the story.

The daughter of Toula and Ian Miller, Paris Miller, is played more prominently by Elena Kampouris. She is a Greek-American teen who struggles with who she is, but her character development is superficial and hurried. Although Kampouris gives a passable performance, the material she is given prevents her from really standing out.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3‘s picturesque Greek backdrop makes it visually appealing. The film is a visual feast because it beautifully depicts the scenery and buildings of Greece. The breathtaking scenery, though, can only make up so much for the film’s flaws.

Sadly, the pacing is uneven, with a slow and plodding first half that struggles to keep viewers’ attention. The story doesn’t really pick up steam until the second half, and by then it feels too little, too late. The length of the film could have been reduced to make it more focused and interesting.

The film’s reliance on clichés and stereotypical representations of Greek culture is among its most depressing features. The original movie made use of these stereotypes for comedic effect, but it did so with some pride and love. These stereotypes lack the charm of the first movie and feel worn out and dated in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.

The film also makes an effort to address some heavy subjects, like loss and the value of family, but its uneven tone overshadows these passages. A startling array of emotions is produced as if the film is torn between being a touching family drama and a slapstick comedy.

The third installment of My Big Fat Greek Wedding falls short of upholding the legacy of its predecessors. The return of the beloved characters is heartwarming, but the film struggles to capture the magic of the original due to the absence of Gus, played by Michael Constantine. The script is too reliant on recycled humor and worn-out stereotypes, lacking the wit and charm that made the first movie a classic. Nia Vardalos in particular gives a stellar performance, but it is not enough to make up for the film’s flaws. This third segment ultimately comes across as a missed chance to revisit a beloved family and their eccentric traditions with the same humor and freshness that made them popular with viewers in the first place.