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Daddy's Home 2 (2017), PG-13, ★1/2


The first Daddy's Home was surprisingly a financial success as I thought it was not as bad as many people thought. I thought it was a solid cable watch because it had enough laughs for that sort of mixed recommendation. I was not craving for a sequel for this movie because again, comedy sequels have a very bad record, however, the only difference is that it is not too late since the first movie came out a few years ago. But, this sequel is a reminder as to why we do not need a sequel to a hit comedy because this is a pretty much forgettable comedy, especially a holiday comedy...which I hade a guilty pleasure for. This did not work for me.

Brad and Dusty (Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg) have become friends after the events of the first film and they set up a co-dad system where their two children, Megan and Dylan, spending time at each father's home. Dusty has re-married to writer Karen (Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio) and he is step-dad to Adrianna, Karen's daughter. After Megan's embarrassing comment about spending time in each of his two dads' houses, Brad and Dusty decide that they should spend one Christmas altogether as one big happy family instead of two separate families.

Meanwhile, both Brad and Dusty get news from both of their fathers that they are both coming into town for the holidays. Dusty warns Brad that his dad will make fun of them because of their co-dad arrangement. Grandpa Kurt (Mel Gibson), Dusty's dad, arrives and mistakes Brad as a chauffeur as Dusty corrects that Brad is the stepdad to his children. Brad's dad, Grandpa Don (John Lithgow), arrives as he is more loving and they both have a unusual father/son relationship which unnerves Kurt more.

Kurt rents a cabin for the holidays to harbor everybody and after having trouble with loading up the suitcases by Dusty throwing Brad's hilariously, they are comfortable over there. Throughout the week, Brad's and Dusty's co-dad parenting skills are put to the test by Kurt by setting some examples by bonding with their stepchildren. Meanwhile, Sara (Linda Cardellini) also tries to bond with Karen as she notices Karen shoplifting clothes.


Almost everything I predicted in this movie comes true as you know that this is about Brad and Dusty struggling to find some connection with each other but also with their dads. It is essentially A Bad Moms Christmas except with fathers and I believe this is less funny than the sequel to Bad Moms but they are both horrible. There are some chuckles than laughs as there is some funny stuff surrounding John Lithgow's character as Will Ferrell's dad. I do like the execution of the climax but it never goes anywhere. Actually, the movie's biggest problem is that when they open with a joke, it never closes with confidence even if it works or does not work. Most of the jokes are left hanging.

Director Sean Anders, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg made a comedy sequel that could appeal to some moviegoers but not myself. Actually, I am a fan of the Ferrell-Wahlberg duo but this one is the first misfire from the combo as I felt that the plot was the same movie just on Christmas and with more dads. Mel Gibson's character tries to be charming but lacks appeal because he is mean throughout the movie. John Lithgow steals a few scenes. And, unfortunately, Linda Cardellini is left on the sidelines with not much to do. To be honest, I'd rather see that fictitious movie that they were watching during the movie than this sequel. That movie is more hilarious than most of this sequel.

*1/2


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