Mel Gibson’s return to mainstream cinema makes this sequel even less palatable.
Brad and Dusty must deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays.
Writer/director Sean Anders was seriously lacking in enough funny content for one film, which passed as mildly amusing. However, upon second attempt this is even less funny. There are perhaps 12 solid laughs over the 100 minute runtime. On those occasions you’re often laughing at how ludicrous the film is, as opposed to how genuinely funny. Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell are both talented comic actors and have proved as much over their careers, however there isn’t enough funny material to work with here. John Lithgow is an exceptional talent and while he does look like Ferrell, again he falls victim to material. Mel Gibson plays Wahlberg’s father and his return to big-budget films has him playing a conservative, sexist, misogynistic, gun-loving, womanising dad (who seemingly abandoned his son whenever he was need throughout his childhood). One wonders how much acting was involved.
Overall a pitiful attempt to continue a franchise that didn’t have enough fuel for one film and linking Mel Gibson to it is a nail in the coffin. While there are some laughs it isn’t enough to save this train-wreck of a Christmas comedy.
1 Star
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of Paramount Pictures