Horrible Bosses 2 ***

With late bosses long buried in the first 2011 film, it was anyone’s guess where the next comedy would go. Be sure, though, hapless trio Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) return to create more chaos and silliness. Oh, and Jen Aniston takes the joke a bit too far with her sex-addicted dentist character, bordering on plain tragic with bondage involved. Though this might get some to pay just to see that.

Fed up being ‘bossed around’, Dale, Kurt and Nick decide to start their own business marketing their concept, the ‘Shower Buddy’ on live TV. They get backing from calculating multi-millionaire businessman Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz), but he goes back on his word and tries to takeover their product, leaving them $500k in the red. The trio decide on a hair-brained kidnap scheme to recoup their money that naturally backfires with Hanson’s flash, bigmouth son, Rex (Chris Pine), in the mix. Meanwhile, Dale’s old nemesis Dr. Julia Harris (Aniston) is back on the scene…

It’s a path well worn, but if one of the comedy trio of Bateman, Sudeikis or Day doesn’t make you laugh there and then, one of the others brings up the rear to trigger some giggles. Fair to say the three have got things down to a fine art of covering each other’s backs for the second film, perhaps falling into a too comfortable and predictable rut. Things are definitely dafter than darker this time around, so if slapstick is your bag, there’s enough to enjoy here. Some might say it’s positively camp, what with Pine’s spoilt rich kid going into overkill in parts. It’s certainly nothing new but comforting, like an old jumper you slip into and smile at.

The cringe factor is Ms Aniston who looks like she’s been shot using 70 soft focus lenses in all her scenes. The men around her act like middle-aged frat boys only raising the cheese factor. It’s clear to see Aniston is becoming past her prime in such a ‘sex kitten’ role, however ‘tongue in cheek’ her current outing as Harris is. With bondage and even Somnophilia on the cards, there’s not much to do but sigh and wince her string of (unfunny) sex word retorts and actions.

Horrible Bosses 2 is a welcome edition for those who enjoy Bateman, Sudeikis and Day rifting off each other, using their play thing Pine for kicks – cue outtakes in final credits, folks. If Aniston the aging sex symbol floats your boat, there’s enough dirty talk to get you going (and black leather outfits). The plot is ridiculous – though intentionally so – and the outcome predictable, but Number Two film has enough entertainment value for a decent night out at the cinema. Maybe improved by a pre-viewing tipple?

3/5 stars

By @FilmGazer

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