After the success of the original, you’d think that adding Mel Gibson and John Lithgow to the Daddy’s Home ‘world’ would elevate the sequel to new heights.
If, like me, you missed the popular 2015 comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell, here’s a brief catch up for you.
Sensitive stepdad Brad (Ferrell) and macho dad Dusty (Wahlberg) clashed and became arch-enemies before eventually realising the error of their ways – becoming ‘co-dads’ and good friends in the process.
However, while Brad, his wife Sara (Linda Cardellini), Dusty and his partner Karen (Alessandra Ambrosio) are all happy with their new arrangement, their kids Dylan (Owen Vaccaro), Megan (Scarlett Estevez) and Adrianna (Didi Costine) long for a Christmas they can all spend together under one roof.
Enter Dusty’s dad Kurt (Gibson) and Brad’s father Don (Lithgow), who also want to be a part of the festive celebrations.
Like their children, they are polar opposites. Don is a loving father who showers his son with love…while Kurt has no morals and is intent on destroying the fragile relationship the co-dads have managed to develop.
Anyway, Kurt decides to book a Christmas holiday for the entire family – and what could possibly go wrong with all of those people under one roof and a festive period to potentially make or break?
What follows is an incredibly cheesy mixture of laughs, not-so-funny gags, uncomfortable moments, Ferrell-induced carnage and shady life lessons.
If the overwhelming message in the original Daddy’s Home was essentially “don’t be a jerk”, Gibson’s character certainly didn’t get the memo.
He does his best to stir the pot between the main characters, with mixed results.
While it was good to see the shamed actor back on the big screen, Kurt certainly doesn’t have too many redeeming factors.
Equally, Lithgow’s Don (or Pop Pop, as the kids call him) is the other side of the coin and almost too nice to a fault.
One particular scene, where he essentially breaks down, feels like it belonged to another film, too.
Wahlberg and Ferrell play the exact characters you’d expect, while Cardellini and Ambrosio get very little screen time and feel underdeveloped.
There are some funny scenes involving Ferrell (as you’d expect), but nowhere near enough to mask the rather odd story.
Also look out for a cameo from WWE legend John Cena, which was entertaining if nothing else.
While the cast is solid and there are some funny moments, it’s hard to recommend Daddy’s Home 2.
The final act delivers some of the most cringey moments I’ve witnessed at the cinema in some time, with some of the pay-offs feeling unearned.
If you want some mindless comedy, go ahead.
But Daddy’s Home 2 isn’t as funny as it thinks it is.
Voice Verdict: 5.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Solid casting choices
+ A few laughs…
– …but nowhere near enough
– Cringey ending is cheese on toast
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Dec 1 to Thurs, Dec 7)
**WONDER (PG)
1pm (Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (daily), 6pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)
THE STAR (U)
10.30am (Sat/Sun), 12.40pm (Sat/Sun), 4.10pm
(not Sat/Sun)
LISTY DO M3 (15)
8.30pm (daily)
JUSTICE LEAGUE (12A)
2D –10am (Sat/Sun), 2.40pm (Sat/Sun), 8.20pm (daily)
3D – 5.40pm (daily)
DADDY’S HOME 2 (12A)
1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (not Sun), 6pm (not Tue), 8.45pm (daily)
PADDINGTON 2 (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun), 12.30pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.15pm (Sat/Sun), 3.45pm (not Sat/Sun), 6pm (daily)
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (12A)
1.30pm (Wed), 6.15pm (not Tue/Thu)
A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS (15)
3pm (Wed), 3.30pm (Tues/Thurs), 8.45pm (not Tue/Thu)
THOR RAGNAROK (12A)
2D – 2.45pm (Sat/Sun)
KIDS’ CLUB
10.15am Sat/Sun – Despicable Me 3 3D (U)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Battle of the Sexes (15)
SUBTITLED SHOWING
Tues 6pm – Daddy’s Home 2 (12A)
**FREE LIST SUSPENDED
