Review: Daddy’s Home 2
Daddy's Home 2
Comedy sequels are rarely funnier than the first one. In this case, Daddy’s Home 2 isn’t breaking any new ground like the first movie, but it’s still enjoyable for a few laughs. Daddy’s Home became Will Ferrell’s highest grossing live-action movie of all time, so a sequel was going to happen eventually. After agreeing to taking care of their kids as co-dads in the first film, Brad and Dusty decide to spend Christmas time together as a big family. In addition, their fathers also want to spend time with their sons. Dusty also has to deal with Roger (John Cena) to prove to him he has what it takes to be the stepfather of Cena’s daughter. With so many things happening, we have ourselves another comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlherg returning to their roles as father and stepfather to their children.
Sean Anders returns to write and direct the sequel and brings the type of comedy you might be familiar with in movies such as That’s My Boy and Horrible Bosses 2. It’s no secret that his filmography is filled with stupid, crude, and vulgar humour. The humour is what you’re going to expect coming from the first movie, because the comedic and the narrative structure are pretty much the exact same thing. It’s an inevitable case of sequelitis that has to repeat most of what you liked from the first movie, and then change it into something different. Most of the elements are what you’re going to remember from Daddy’s Home even if they add a couple of new things in this sequel. Lazy? Yes. Justified? Maybe. Hilarious? Often times, yeah.
It is a little annoying for the film to not know who to concentrate on. Is it Brad? Is it Dusty? Is it Brad’s father? Is it Dusty’s father? It’s hard to know because there’s so many characters. It’s also a shame for some of them to be left in the background with no character development whatsoever. The subplots are a little messy and rushed for sure, but the bond between these characters is what makes this movie. They all have good chemistry with each other and sometimes feel like a real family.
Daddy’s Home 2
Series newcomers Mel Gibson and John Lithgow steal every scene they’re in. Gibson plays Dusty’s father Kurt, a womanizing tough guy who believes his son is starting to become a sissy goody-two-shoes like Brad. Lithgow portrays Brad’s father Don, and these two actually have feelings for each other. They don’t even hesitate to kiss each other on the lips as father and son. Get ready for some speechless and/or awkward moments, because there’s a lot of them.
Daddy’s Home 2 is mostly what you’re going to expect, remembering the first movie. While it’s crude, dumb and sometimes unfocused, it still has a good message of being with your family. It’s as good as its predecessor, but that’s not really saying much. If you’re looking for some fun laughs, this might be the comedy for you. It’s still enjoyable to watch with your family just in time for the holidays.
Daddy’s Home 2 is now playing in theatres.
