I have such a huge affection for the first film, it's so warm, captivating and funny. The follow up had huge shoes to fill, and for the most part it does. I founds the first thirty minutes a little pedestrian, but after that it opened up and turned into a beautiful film. It's very emotionally charged, puts you in a hugely reflective state and really draws you in. It terms of acting it was never going to fail was it? There is a host of stellar acting going on, Maggie, Judi, Celia etc are all glorious, but this time I was hooked on Bill Nighy's character, he's just fabulous.

I applaud this film for capitalising on the more mature acting talents out there, even though the second offering focuses slightly more on the youngsters, who are also brilliant, fans of Toast of London will recognise Clem Fandango!!

An excellent film that makes me desperate for a third. BTW Richard Gere has no right to still be that handsome!

9/10

Considering how great the first film was, 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' had a lot to live up to. Despite the mixed reviews, the cast are such a talented one and it did look interesting. Did also question the point initially and, considering that sequels with a few exceptions rarely are as good or better than their predecessors, expectations were sort of mixed.

Finally seeing 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', it was moderately enjoyable but with a fair share of faults so was a disappointment compared to its predecessor. Not as bad as some reviewers have made out, but it could have been much better and the complaints/criticisms are understandable and legitimate from personal opinion.

Starting with 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel's' faults, it does get off to a slow start with the first half an hour taking too long to get going. There are also too many subplots, some of them not developed enough, slow the film down and are a little too contrived-ly written.

Not all the cast work this time either. Dev Patel and Tamsin Grieg are annoying, but worst of all is an out of place Richard Gere who is very wooden as a character that was better left out. A little too heavy on the clichés too, with not enough done to make them interesting.

However, 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' looks absolutely splendid. It's gorgeously filmed and the scenery is to die for. As is the lovely and authentic in flavour music.

Parts of the script do work well, though the first film achieved a better balance of funny comedy and heartfelt drama. There are some heart-warming life lessons, some funny witty moments, uplifting warmth and cosy charm. The story is problematic, being a bit slow going in places and bloated, but does boast enough heart and charm, the ending is very touching.

Of the talented cast, the standouts are the always good Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Bill Nighy is a lot of fun too as is Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup similarly charms. One does miss Tom Wilkinson however.

In summary, second best but not second rate. 6/10 Bethany Cox

I'm wondering if this sequel to the very entertaining "The Best Marigold Hotel" was rushed without regards to the screenplay because of the aging Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. When played opposite the first one, the flaws of this are mighty obvious. It's all too much, far too rushed together and unconvincing despite the presence of two legends much beloved around the world, as well as the return of the charming Dev Patel who is paired in more scenes with Dame Maggie who has been made a mentoring guide for many young actors ever since encountering the very young Daniel Radcliffe in the BBC remake of "David Copperfield". As Patel's partner at the hotel after the wonderful conclusion, she escorts him to San Diego where they strive to find funding for a second hotel since the original one is filled non-stop.

I usually love the snarkiness of Dame Maggie in her films, but in spite of her character being much quieter in the first film (where she seemed to be more of an observer until the end), this entry puts her in the lead, takes her out of her wheelchair, and somewhat presents her as just mean spirited. Maggie's voice gives those remarks class, but there really is no motivation for it here, with exchanges between her and Dench particularly uncomfortable. The number of older characters moving in and out of the action becomes sort of a map or character guide being necessary to remember who us who. Throw in Richard Gere, supposedly a representative of the American chain, and it's a major mess to unravel, especially when he's all of a sudden involved with Pavel's mother. I hadn't expected to see Penelope Wilton back after the first film, having found her surprisingly unbearable in the first film. Her ability to be real nasty character after being kind on "Downton Abbey", did show her versatility.

Still, the locations, photography and music are glorious. I've come to love the sounds of Indian music after seeing "Bombay Dreams" on Broadway. I just really wish that they had not rushed on a sequel, which like the second "Sister Act", slightly diminishes the first one. Dame Maggie, now a participant in three popular film series, gets a long monologue at the very end that is somewhat perplexing because it appears to be hinting at her character's end, but the film leaves everything open.