One of the best things about “Hot Tub Time Machine 2” is the addition of Adam Scott to the cast.
Actually, you can say that about pretty much anything Adam Scott appears in. One of the most reliable comic performers working today, Scott throws himself into his roles with an attention to detail and a unique sense of timing. My favorite moments of his are moments I can't imagine anyone else playing in quite the same way, whether it's a role like the insanely intense family sing-along in “Step Brothers” or his relationship with Leslie Knope on “Parks and Recreation” or the deranged “electric ladybug” drug trip sequence in “Hot Tub Time Machine 2.”
We've got an exclusive peek at the way his character fits into the comedy sequel, standing in for John Cusack, who played Adam in the first film. Although I'm not sure the math makes sense, Adam Scott plays Adam Jr. in the film, and he's engaged to Gillian Jacobs. The two of them seem uber-tightlaced, which makes it extra-satisfying when Adam Jr. takes advantage of his bachelor party outing to come completely unhinged.
Right now, I think there is a deep pool of comedy talent working in Hollywood, all of them trained to be able to improvise and all of them committed to digging deep into the various characters they play. Part of the joy of many of today's comedies is just watching how these people riff off of one another. Adam Scott is one of those guys who is almost deceptively good at what he does. He's a stealth assassin, a guy who isn't throwing out fifty punchlines a minute, but who throws out one perfect one that just slays.
You can see him onscreen this weekend, and then next week, I will somehow have to come to terms with the ending of one of my favorite shows, “Parks and Recreation.”
“Hot Tub Time Machine 2” is in theaters tomorrow.