Film Review – Daddy’s Home 2 (2017)

After the over-enthusiastic response in 2015 to the original Daddy’s Home, it was inevitable a sequel would emerge and just like the recent Bad Moms 2, the second instalment is also disguised as a Christmas movie. Brad (Will Ferrell) still happily married to Sara, now calls Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) Sara’s ex-husband a friend after bickering throughout the first film.

The pair decides to have the holiday season as one big extended family until both their own dads decide to arrive at the same time for Yuletide celebrations.

The kids are all delirious with anticipation of the grandfathers who may bring extra presents however Dusty in particular is wary of his old man’s real intentions. Brad overexpresses his affection for his dad except he’s wondering why mum didn’t travel too.

Not quite in the league of classic National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989) or even Ferrell himself as ELF (2003) but when the bunch take off to a snow covered cabin on a whim, PG rated pratfalls and hilarity ensue.

Redemption may be granted eventually for Australia’s own Mel Gibson who after directing Academy Award nominee Hacksaw Ridge, here as the mischievous single senior Kurt, the comic timing he so excellently displayed in such sidesplitting hits Maverick (1994) What Women Want (2000) he’s still got all the right moves.

The entire cast seems like it must have been fun on set as it shows right down the kid actors who are quite convincing, especially of note Scarlett Estevez as Megan showing a potential of bigger things to come.

Did we require a sequel NO, is it a crowd pleaser YES, if I was 11 I would find it hilarious but unfortunately the real jokes are too few on my comedy scale of chuckles? Retro tune, Do they know it’s Christmas supplies an amusing singalong scene inside a cinema foyer just after a quick Liam Neeson cameo.

Goodwill messages are thrown around in the finale like all loving family orientated stories do, possibly triggering a tear or two in harmony. It took me until the very end to get into the spirit. Bar humbug indeed.

Shane A.Bassett | Movie_Analyst

Comedy | USA, 2017 | 12A | 22nd November 2017 (UK) | Paramount Pictures UK | Dir. Sean Anders | Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow, Owen Vaccaro, Scarlett Estevez, John Cena