‘Greek Wedding’ sell-by date expired long ago

Published 8:14 am Thursday, March 24, 2016

How long does baklava stay fresh? Is 14 years too much time on the shelf?

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” came out in 2002. It was that rare thing, a bona fide word-of-mouth phenomenon: Months after its release, long after big blockbusters had come and gone, it was still playing in theaters.

It remains near the top of the list of biggest-grossing indie films ever. Writer-star Nia Vardalos has had mixed results trying to match her triumph, so perhaps it’s not surprising that she returned to the source.

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” is again written by Vardalos, who mines her Greek heritage for more family-friendly gags. What, you thought maybe she’d shift her attention to Norwegian-Americans?

Toula (Vardalos) is still married to Ian (John Corbett), the victim — er, bridegroom — from the first film. She’s working at her family restaurant again, for obscure reasons.

Toula and Ian have a 17-year-old daughter (Elena Kampouris) and are undergoing pre-empty-nest-syndrome pangs. But the wedding that gives the movie its title has nothing to do with the teenager.

Instead, Toula’s parents Gus (Michael Constantine) and Maria (Lainie Kazan) discover that their 50-year-old marriage license was never actually signed. This gives us a reason to gear up for more comical party preparations, punctuated with mild sitcom adventures.

The cast from the first movie is back, including comedy pro Andrea Martin as Toula’s brassy aunt. Casting John Stamos as a Greek-American TV anchor is a new addition that goes nowhere.

In general, the jokes aren’t as funny, and the mood not as homey, as the original. But maybe that’s true of most second weddings.

Vardalos herself still has an appealing personality on screen; she’s usually the best thing about any given scene. Her father-daughter chemistry with Constantine is again a source of pleasure, as the 89-year-old actor brings a lifetime of comic chops to his role.

But oh, the jokes. Here’s the umpteenth movie scene about people trying to teach their parents how to use the Internet. Here’s 18th-century sex advice from the older folks to their teenage granddaughter. Here’s Toula and Ian making out in a car as their family intrudes.

Yes, things have gone stale. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” is strictly for fans who want be reassured that things haven’t changed much in the world.

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” (2 stars)

Writer-star Nia Vardalos returns to her 2002 smash hit, as her long-suffering character’s parents (Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan) plot a marriage of their own. As before, there are endless jokes on the subject of being Greek-American, although the baklava has gotten a little stale at this point.

Rating: PG-13, for subject matter

Showing: Alderwood mall, Cinebarre, Everett, Galaxy Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood, Pacific Place, Sundance Cinemas, Thornton, Woodinville, Cascade Mall, Oak Harbor