As far as sequels go, this film wasn’t bad. But it certainly wasn’t good either. Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) are back as feuding fathers, but this time they are getting along and being “co-dads”. That is until the grandfathers turn up and cause havoc…
The grandfathers being, Mel Gibson as the super cool and suave father of Mark Wahlberg, and John Lithgow being the very jolly father of Will Ferrell. Linda Cardellini also stars with a strong performance.
The two families decide to go on holiday together for Christmas in an attempt – to provide their 4 kids with the perfect Christmas. Chaos, of course, ensues. There’s shoplifting, drunk children, Grandpas getting shot and a nativity scene.
Wahlberg and Ferrell have a good dynamic, as they did in The Other Guys.The rest of the cast, however, just wasn’t up to scratch. Mel Gibson has been criticised for being “unfunny” which, on reflection, seems fair.
Watch the trailer here:
Some scenes where they advertise a certain cinema franchise and recurringly sing “Do They Know It’s Christmas” seem irrelevant.
I have to admit the film did have some laugh out loud moments but they weren’t enough to save it. A few jokes – like the one where Mel Gibson encouraging his grandson to “smack [girls] on the caboose” – were just straight up inappropriate. Gross. It’s one you would wait to watch on DVD, if at all.
The director of the sequel, Sean Anders, also directed the first ‘Daddy’s Home’, as well as ‘We’re The Millers’ and ‘Horrible Bosses 2’. Horrible Bosses 2 was hilarious so it’s a shame Daddy’s Home was a disappointment.
With a runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes, that seems a lot longer and appearances from John Cena and Alessandra Ambrosio who, despite being beautiful, is cringe-inducing as an actress.
I actually tweeted Ali Plumb, who is the BBC’s film critic and he agreed with me that “it’s not great” and Empire Online has described it as “double the dads, half the laughter.”
“Daddy’s Home 2” is a film you would wait to watch on DVD, if at all. I say give this one a miss.
By Narzra Ahmed