Keegan-Michael Key

Pinpoints a creative community that’s never been explored in a narrative film...its wistful, naturalistic presentation of a thirtysomething turning point—a forced maturation of sorts—rings true.

Samberg’s jittery-nerdy energy comes through, and Stoller applies a level of taste and restraint to the film’s use of source music and amusingly awkward pauses.

Nothing if not formulaic, but it has its passing charms...Ultimately, the hacky plot (partly credited to Franco’s buddy Jonah Hill) is also too primal not to work...

This is the kind of lackluster animated movie at which you’ll lose count of how many times the characters randomly break into dance--and that’s in addition to the...not one but two dance parties incorporated into the plot.

At a moment when studios and pundits have begun again to question the efficacy of sequels, Pixar’s graceful follow-up justifies the practice, when executed with smarts and heart. 

There's an overabundance of unnecessary concessions to modern taste in this effects-driven, CGI-animated remake, but it moves along pretty nicely—and they haven't broken it.