Daddy's Home 2: Mehr Väter, mehr Probleme!

'DADDY'S HOME 2': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A sequel to the 2015 hit comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, as two rival fathers competing for the same children's love. In this follow-up they're now friends, and they have to deal with their own fathers visiting for the holidays, who are also complete opposites as well of course. Mel Gibson and John Lithgow join the cast, as the elder dads, while Linda Cardellini and John Cena also reprise their roles from the original movie. The film was once again directed by Sean Anders, and it was written by Anders and John Morris (the same duo also co-wrote the original, as well as 'HOT TUB TIME MACHINE', 'SEX DRIVE', 'SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE', 'WE'RE THE MILLERS', 'HORRIBLE BOSSES 2', and other hit comedies). This film has received nearly unanimous negative reviews from critics, but it's done really well at the Box Office (and with viewers there). I thought it was pretty funny too actually.

Brad and Dusty (Ferrell and Wahlberg) now get along perfectly, and our doing a really effective job co-parenting their kids together. Then both of their fathers, Kurt (Gibson) and Don (Lithgow), decide to visit them for the holidays. Kurt is extremely egotistical, obsessively masculine, and a bit of a sexist asshole. Don is really sweet, kind and friendly. More family drama occurs because of their visit, which causes conflict between Brad and Dusty again as well. Especially when Brad invites the biological father (Cena) of Dusty's stepdaughter over.

The movie is frequently very funny. It definitely has some bad jokes in it too, and it's a pretty routine family Christmas comedy, but it's still mostly funny. Adding Gibson to the cast, as the womanizing chauvinistic pig, was brilliant casting in my opinion as well, and he's hilarious in the role. Lithgow is also good in his part too, and Ferrell and Wahlberg are both effective once again too. I actually enjoyed this sequel more than it's predecessor; it seems more packed with quality humor to me, at least in my opinion. It's also more fun that it's set at Christmas (in my opinion as well).

A depressingly nihilistic film that would have at least been commendable for its unabashed cruelty - that is, if an out-of-place clichéd 'happy ending' hadn't been tacked on. As such, it only works as an exercise in awkward gags and uncomfortable dramatic beats, hammering the final nails into the coffin of three careers while it's at it. Now, if you're looking for a darkly comic view at a dysfunctional family, you'll find this for the first half of the film. If you want an upbeat, feel-good family comedy, keep your fingers in your ears and your eyes 'wide shut' until the final twenty minutes. If you want a good Christmas film, I suggest you go home and put The Polar Express back in the DVD player.

I really enjoyed this sequel. I thought the extra cast members were really a good addition, like John Cena and Mel Gibson. It was a great family movie, and very cheerful. Will Ferrell has lots of funny scenes. It almost reminded me of Grown Ups, but a little better.

Recommended!

7 stars

This, in my opinion, is a fantastic movie. The actors and actresses are phenomenal. I do love that they added Mel Gibson, who plays the perfect "dad" to Mark Wahlberg. Will Ferrell and John Lithgow are a true match for a "father/son" combo.

To me, this movie is uplifting and all around fun. I, unfortunately, deal with a lot of stress/anxiety but I turn this movie on and it "soothes" me.

I can't wait for number 3.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who made this movie happen.

If you liked Daddy's Home you'll love the follow up, I have no doubts about that.

The addition of John Lithgow and Mel Gibson was inspired. The casting was spot on, and in particular the chemistry between Lithgow and Ferrell was just exceptional.

As you'd expect, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg both smashed it, showing once again that they have fantastic on screen chemistry.

The humour was great, the story was fun, and it had a lovely Christmassy vibe. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, rehashing some of the same jokes/themes from the first film, but that doesn't mean they aren't still funny and there are enough new ideas to keep things fresh.

A great laugh and a solidly entertaining film!