Over the years Rooster Teeth has grown exponentially, especially in just the last two to three years. Shows have gotten more ambitious and bigger in scope. In 2015 the company crowdfunded their first movie, Lazer Team. Despite mixed reviews from fans and negative reviews from critics, the success was good enough for Rooster Teeth to create a sequel. The first was directed by their CEO Matt Hullum and written by Burnie Burns, Chris Demarais, Josh Flanagan. and Matt Hullum. This latest film is directed by Matt and Daniel Fabelo while being written by them and Burnie. The first had its flaws, but it was enjoyable. Many of these flaws are fixed in the latest movie.
The story takes place a few years after the events of the first movie. The team has disbanded and gone their separate ways. Woody (Gavin Free) becomes a part of a research team for the government in which they discover a way to create a wormhole to another dimension. The team is recruited by Maggie (Nichole Bloom), a scientist who was working with Woody. Fighting off aliens and the obstacles that are created from Kilborne (Victoria Pratt) who is given the power to dismantle this government-funded project.
Burnie Burns, who plays as Hagan, described the movie as a focus on the comedy because the first movie was able to establish the characters and the world. This rings quite true. The story is strong overall, but the main focus is to make the audience laugh. The comedic element is more of a consistent focus throughout the movie. Plenty of jokes that anyone can get, but plenty of jokes that are meant for Rooster Teeth fans. This blend of focus on story and making jokes is a great blend that works better than the first movie. What might throw fans off, just like the first Lazer Team, the humor is not quite the style that Rooster Teeth is known for. Their adult style of humor is not really present, but it is more so in Lazer Team 2. As a long time fan who appreciates their adult side more, I wish they went all out with an R rating to make something that feels like more of their style. I am sure we will be getting that in future movies such as the next movie, Blood Fest.
Characters are generally quite great. If you liked the characters from the first movie then you get to enjoy them even more here. Besides the return of the main team, two more characters return from the first movie. Officer Vandenbloom (Kirk Johnson) makes a wonderful return. Just as funny as ever, and given a more significant role. Joel Heyman’s small cameo as a reporter returns in multiple scenes. The range of cameos from Rooster Teeth personnel and other related people are throughout the entirety of the movie. Some scenes you may have to pause to catch all of the different people in it. The weakest character who plays a big role in the story is Kilborne. Her motivations on various levels feel off and confusing at times. I feel that movies tend to have a great time with heroes and side characters, but so many times it is common to have a failed villain. Overall, characters are well done with excellent casting choices which have always been a staple in Rooster Teeth content.
Being a smaller budget movie the special effects are just as poor as the first movie. Despite the style, it still bothered me to look at spaceships and lasers. The practical effects are quite well made and even better than the first movie. The use of sets instead of locations worked in their favor to create interesting places that the team would have to navigate through. I understand they want to make sci-fi movies as their start in making movies, but should have waited to get the right budget as they develop their movie side of the company.
If you liked the first Lazer Team, then you will like the sequel even more. People who hated the first movie will absolutely not like this one either. Overall it is stronger than the last. As the company makes more movies, the quality will increase. They are used to making excellent shows, but not at this level of length and production size. It has poor special effects, given that it is so low budget that it makes sense. A villain that has odd choices and a motivation that is hard to understand hurts major plot points. These problems are few but major. What holds it up is the comedy that is spread consistently and is able to land well most of the time. Colorful characters that have an excellent chemistry feels genuine. This universe they made is interesting with some great ideas that flesh it all out. If you are not a fan of the company, you may still enjoy this movie. There are plenty of references that will not change how you feel about the movie. If you are a fan then you may enjoy it more than the typical moviegoer with great cameos and jokes that only the most hardened of fans will understand. The company made a great effort and will only continue to grow better as they move forward.
Score: 7/10
Image via Rooster Teeth
Tristan Zelden 