(spoiler free)
So we’ve already seen the Bad Moms give their comedy sequel a festive twist this Christmas and now it’s the turn of co-dads, Will Ferrell & Mark Wahlberg in ‘Daddy’s Home 2’. Similarly to ‘A Bad Mom’s Christmas’, this comedy sequel also sees the main characters titular parent figure stop by for the season’s celebrations. Could this added star power of Mel Gibson & John Lithgow help to make this a future festive favourite?
Well the new additions aren’t quite good enough to make it that much of a success but they certainly help to keep things entertaining. Gibson and Lithgow bring a much needed energy to this comedy sequel both demonstrating good chemistry with their on screen sons. The performances overall work, whilst at times some are rather exaggerated the tone of the film allows for this meaning these never become too much of a problem. The entire cast look like they are having a good time and this helps the audience to feel the same way.
The level of comedy featured is similar to the original film, you should be able to gauge how much you’ll enjoy this sequel from that. There are even more physical gags than first time around. These always seem to get the most attention but unfortunately are the least comedic of all the gags. Thankfully the interactions between the characters and the array of relationships on show allow for more effective comedy. Whilst these work for a while the jokes do begin to run dry but ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ makes up for this with a good finale which features some of the film’s best moments including a fictional film which I would definitely throw my money at if it was real!
Where the film encounters most of it’s problems though is in it’s narrative. It feels like the film is clutching at straws and stretching out plot points that just aren’t developed enough. There are so many different relationships given the spotlight throughout the story, and whilst it was often these that provoked the most laughter, there’s just too many, resulting in a convoluted narrative. The film always manages to do just enough to remain engaging though and never becomes as hateful as some might expect.
Ultimately though, ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ is rather forgettable and once this Christmas season passes so will the memory of this comedy sequel. Despite this it’s not an awful time, it’s enjoyable enough thanks to the entertaining cast and mildly amusing comedy. It finishes on a good note leaving some of the funniest jokes until the end but I don’t think the ‘Daddy’s Home’ franchise will be becoming a Christmas tradition anytime soon.
Written by Hamish Calvert
Rating – 5/10
Question: What is your favourite Christmas comedy?
(Leave your answers in the comments section below!)
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