A Bad Dads Christmas.
100 Mins. Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, John Lithgow, Mel Gibson & John Cena. Director: Sean Anders.
This candy cane season the dads are back in town and driving home for Christmas. And for 'Daddys Home 2' there's even more parents to meet as we ask "whose your grandaddy"?! 'The Other Guys' Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg reunite for a third time for their middle-age, middling 'Step Brothers' like family farce. But when it comes to these other dads this festive season, in a Christmas vacation that tangles more slapstick in the Christmas lights than Chevy Chase's 'National Lampoon' you may aswell call this one 'Stepfathers'. Those 'Bad Moms' may be having their own grandmother Christmas right now with some mothers that I beg your pardon, frankly are even more hotter than they are, but this 'Daddys Home 2' for the holidays is the funniest bromance between the tinsle since Seth Rogen, Joesph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie partied 'The Night Before'. Adding more nutcracking punch to the egg nog, you're favourite yuletide man-child 'Elf' is back for something you shouldn't leave on the living room shelf. Even if those who left his other craps comedy with Amy Poehler on the snake eyes table this summer didn't realise (like admittedly this writer until an in-flight movie last week) that 'The House' actually wins as a classic feral Ferrell comedy. Your local 'Anchorman' has still got it like the whales vagina even if the Magnum mustache maverick has swapped the Burgundy new suits for some comfortable slacks and an ugly Xmas sweater. And now bringing out the even funnier side of his guy, the all-action, transforming muscle of Mark Wahlberg like that fuzzy friend of a Boston bear, the pair cop another classic to pop under the tree.
Just watch out...it may fall on you. As this time the co-parents of an on formidable form Ferrell slapping the stick and a wowing Wahlberg with the best lines here delivered with punch have more to worry about than car sharing and setting a five dollar limit on what each other is wrapping up when it comes to presents for this December 25th day. These two daddies have their pops popping over for a visit this fall and its not all mince pies and mistletoe as there are more stars here in this 'guess whose coming for turkey dinner' than on top of the tree. And just when Wahlberg and the oven mitt boxing, snowflake punch throwing Ferrell had their friendly chemistry set too. Looks like 'E.R.' star Linda Cardellini will be nursing a few mulled wines to get over this one as the good mother between it all who threatens to steal this snow show. Ferrell's father time comes in the form of crowning legend John Lithgow, playing it light again with the craziest comedy poking innuendo at family this side of the '3rd Rock From The Sun'. In funny face form he's barely been to the red sweater letter better and he and Ferrell in physical and improv routine comedy actually relate and feel like a father/son combo playing it all perfectly. After all it doesn't get much closer than locking lips. Dear John pulls a cracker playing a motor mouth conversationalist of a parent. Mark on the other hand would love to get a word in edge ways with his granite tough love father. Played with puncuation for letters by Wahlberg twenty years from now, no longer 'Expendable' legend Mel Gibson. The redemption, renaissance man back in public favour after directing the multiple Oscar nominated (for him too), war torn 'Hacksaw Ridge' with Andrew Garfield, this Mad Mel is a real lethal weapon here. Blowing snow and showing there's a funny side to his serious streak. Gibson plays it like a guitar gunning rock star here as this roses ageing 90's great shows he still is one. Even if he does offend everyone this side of Bethlehem.
Now the only thing that could possibly put the flaming smackdown on this Fantastic Fouresome itself is a former pro wrestler. And following his classic credits cameo in the first film John Cena shows us the real daddy is home. Off the ropes and rails and bringing us as many laughs at a locomotive pace as his 'Trainwreck' sexy time with queen of comedy, the stand-up Amy Schumer. As everyone and all are one upping each other and the sophomore slump like returning director Sean Anders did with the superb 'Horrible Bosses 2' in this nativity scene. Even truly going away in a manger in a shepard beard beating set-piece that almost rocks the baby Jesus. All softening down into a ice-cold snowball fight before anyone gets too offended that shows us that even after his best basketball in 'Semi-Pro', the All Star Will Ferrell can pump fake as well as he can throw a punch, or basketball to a L.A. Lakers cheerleader. But amazingly like 'Love Me Sexy', shows in concert that he has the voice of an angel...well one with broken wings anyway. That's the kind of schtick thats in this Ferrell and McKay produced playbook as everything from social screening satire at school plays and post-thanksgiving bird clipping will grab you by the giblets. But anytime the physical comedy flogs too many dead horses some of the best one-liners come marching in like the saints. And anytime they fall flatter than Snowmen on New Years day there are some heartbreaking and healing moments by the fire to warm you like John Hughes used to, 30 years later to the anniversary of Steve Martin and the Candyman's 'Planes Trains and Automobiles' for this Christmas time road trip. This chestnut roasts like open fire, leaving anyone who calls it a turkey...done! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Other Guys', 'Step Brothers', 'The House'.
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