The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with praise clustering around Mel Gibson and Danny Glover’s rapport. Their convincing bond helps both the comedy and the action, and even less enthusiastic critics regard their shared charisma as a strength. The more positive reviews also credit the script’s pace and humour, finding enough energy and involvement to make the sequel entertaining rather than merely busy.
The spread is moderate, but the critics disagree sharply over how well the comedy sits alongside the violence. Variety finds the tone more consistent than in the first film, while Radio Times objects to an uneven script and an awkward mixture of laughs and brutality. The Los Angeles Times offers the clearest dissent, acknowledging professional craftsmanship but finding the result hollow and overblown. Reservations elsewhere include weak supporting performances, though these generally qualify the praise rather than overturn it.