The sequel to The Irony of Fate was clearly made with the knowledge that it had very big shoes to fill, as the declared continuation (with a returning original cast) of what by the time the sequel was made was a well-established and beloved cultural icon. It's full of reverent references to its antecedent, but these reminders don't serve it well, because overall it doesn't compare favorably. The story of The Irony of Fate was elegant in its simple confusion. The sequel has to bend over backwards to recreate an echo of that situation, while at the same time including one one but two generations of versions of the central characters. It just about comes together, but it doesn't have the appealing spontaneity and tidiness of the original. Whereas Zhenya was likable because he was hapless and placed in his baffling situation, the scenario here necessitates that his son go into things scheming, and participating in a scheme. The man he cuckolds has a decent point when he complains about his trickery -- and that makes him a much less appealing hero to watch. The original film was in two parts and much of the action remained in one apartment. It was a neat trick, but it never became boring for that, and felt like a kind of thrilling, entertaining marathon. The new movie is hampered by the standard running time which makes this impossible. There are some nicely-realized directorial touches in the camera-work and the special effects, but the context just makes them stand out, and seem out of place. There are some legitimately funny situations, and a few moments that hearken back to The Irony of Fate very nicely and touchingly, but overall it doesn't capture the intangible appeal of the film it's constructed around. And that makes it, in context, easy to see why many disappointed, even though objectively it's a decent enough sweet New Year's piece. It just doesn't add anything original or superior to the piece that is its reason for being.

We know, that the original "Irony of Fate" is legendary in Russia. This sequel (or independent movie, decide for yourselves) is known firstly because of the original. But anyway, it's great. It looks beautiful, it's rather easy to watch and it tells the story that will never ever get old: that true love lives forever. There are good old characters we all know, and the new ones; places are the same but time had changed - almost everything changed but love between Jenya & Nadya is still alive. Isn't it true love story you need? If it's 20th December and if you want to create the New Year mood for yourself - you just have to watch the movie because it creates amazing atmosphere. All these New Year trees and fireworks, the Kremlin charms beating - it all is so great. After watching it, I can't wait for the New Year and Christmas holidays

I did not expect much of this film, because it is really difficult to make a good sequel. And indeed it turned out to be a poor copy of one of my favourite films "Ironiya sudby", which still remains one of the most popular New Year films on the territory of ex-USSR. The original plot was exploited, and no novelty was added. I bet not a single phrase or dialogue will become so recognizable, as some phrases from the first movie. Instead of witty pretty characters from the old film we meet old tired people. The younger generation of actors, which appeared in the sequel, lacks the charm due to which the success of the first movie could be attributed. I even did not enjoy Konstantin Khabensky, who remains one of my favourites in the modern Russian movies. Suddenly I did not recognize the lively young guy from "Uboynaya sila" whom I admired so much. My rating – 2/10. I don't recommend this movie to any fan of "Ironiya sudby". It is rather worth to watch the film from 1975 one more time, since even the knowledge of its end won't spoil the usual amusement.

This movie should be considered not as a sequel but as an independent movie. This way it's more or less OK. I haven't expected much from the movie that's why I wasn't disappointed. I can say for sure it's not going to be a new classics though. While watching the movie I forgot sometimes that I was watching a romantic comedy… so many special effects made this movie look like Nightwatch. Advertising of Toyota and Beeline was so obvious and so annoying. Actors weren't very convincing. The only reason I'll probably watch the Irony of Fate-2 for the second time for is Liza Boyarskaya. She's gorgeous!!! I absolutely like her but not her acting in that movie though.