Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

It's the human stars ... who truly shine. Domhnall Gleeson finds fun new ways to fall over. Rose Byrne delivers knowing lines.

Can Will Gluck recapture this lightning in a bottle with Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway? No. But he sure does try.

Uncharacteristically true to his word, Peter does less insufferable blathering this time around, but the subtitle The Runaway still threatens the audience with a better time.

It's hard to escape the feeling that Will Gluck's follow-up to 2018's Peter Rabbit is straining to capture the fast-paced, meta whimsy of the original while also cramming in a whole bunch of new characters and themes.

There you have it - the meta stuff for adults; the cuteness and slapstick for the kids.

At least Gluck doesn't send Peter into space.

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway is another win for the family-friendly franchise, capturing the same comedic charm that made the first film such a success.

The lighter moments are not enough to save a film that again feels like the most cynical of studio prospects.

Rarely is a sequel as much or more fun than the original. [Full review in Spanish]

However, this could be the lovely piece of Springtime cinema you pop on every time the flowers bloom for those who are still a kid at heart.