Daddy’s Home 2 – A Christmas Cash In

Keith NoakesNovember 11, 2017n/a6 min

Sure the first film was a surprise but was a sequel really necessary?

Synopsis: In the sequel to the 2015 global smash, father and stepfather, Dusty and Brad have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos. (Paramount Pictures)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, and Linda Cardellini

Writers: Sean Anders and John Morris

Director: Sean Anders

Rating: PG (Canada)/PG-13 (United States)

Running Time: 100mins

Trailer: 

For showtimes and more, check out Daddy’s Home 2 on movietimes.com.

As mentioned, the original film was a surprise back in 2015 and was moderately successful so even if it didn’t need a sequel, here’s Daddy’s Home 2. There was only so much that the premise can go so in this film, two new daddies are home with Brad (Ferrell) and Dusty’s (Wahlberg) dads, Don (Jon Lithgow) and Kurt (Mel Gibson). The main problem with the film was that there was nothing original about it whatsoever which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

The story wasn’t overly original when compared to other Christmas films and derivative of the previous film. It was also very predictable with plenty of Christmas film cliches sprinkled along the way. The premise of the story was because of the complicated family dynamic between Brad and Rusty’s families, their kids have moved around way too much at Christmastime which has taken a toll on them. Wanting to do something for the kids, Brad and Dusty had the idea to spend this year’s Christmas together as one big family. Their big plans were interrupted once Kurt shows up. He got them all a cabin where the family could spend Christmas together and hijinks obviously ensued.

There were a few funny moments to be had here but the majority of the humor wasn’t overly original either and derivative of the previous film. The original focused on the competition between Brad and Dusty and this sequel treads similar ground in the way it juxtaposes the relationship between Brad and Dusty with their fathers. Each father were polar opposites with personalities that were similar to their sons, at least when we first met them, with Don being overly-affectionate and emotional and Kurt being a super cool manly man who didn’t approve of the new Dusty and his relationship with Brad. These differences were fun to watch at first, however, Kurt’s constant criticizing of everything eventually got old.

The acting was decent across the board with Ferrell and Wahlberg still being the standouts because of their chemistry from the first film. Lithgow and Gibson were cast perfectly and were welcome additions. While the material may not have been there, the great chemistry between the four actors often made up for it. However, the argument can be made that everyone, besides Lithgow who sometimes overdid it, phoned it in here but they were still fun to watch together.

Overall, this was a decent comedy with some funny moments but ultimately was an unnecessary and derivative sequel that simply tries to cash in on the Christmas movie craze.

Score: 6/10

If you liked this, please read my other reviews here and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, follow me on Instagram, and also like me on Facebook.

 

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