![\"\"](\"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/daddys-home-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Family dynamics around the festive period are ripe for the comedy picking. Everyone can relate to the age-old saying \u201cyou can\u2019t chose your family\u201d when faced with spending the requisite time with them. Indeed, even the most cynical of us will cherish at least one memorable moment \u2013 event if it\u2019s at the expense of a loved one.<\/p>\n
The thought of comedy duo Will Ferrell<\/a> and Mark Wahlberg<\/a> – who had a natural flow in The\u00a0Other Guys<\/a><\/em> \u2013 returning as Brad and Dusty respectively for a second Daddy\u2019s Home<\/em><\/a> edition, and trying to create the \u2018perfect\u2019 Christmas does prick the interest. Such enormous comedy potential, considering all was at peace with dad and stepdad at the end of the last film in 2015.<\/p>\n The potent mixer here is introducing the chalk-and-cheese granddads, played by John Lithgow<\/a> (Bard\u2019s emotional, touchy-feely dad) and Mel Gibson<\/a> (Dusty\u2019s macho, womanizing, guarded father) to stir up dormant feelings of inner inadequacy in our boys. Throw in some tinsel, snow and cute kids, and you have the perfect recipe, right?<\/p>\n The biggest crime committed here is the writers is not attempting to pen any original festive film gags, considering all four leads can do comedy with great ease. The \u2018waste\u2019 of talent is shameful. After the fun, fantasy meet-and-greet at the airport, it\u2019s cue fairy lights going wrong, cue someone falling flat in snow, and cue a festive sing-along to remind all what the silly season is about how we should love one another. In truth, in a world in turmoil at present, this message should not be squandered lightly, but the film\u2019s musical number leaves a sickly-sweet taste in the mouth – even though there\u2019s a potential Marky Mark moment for fans.<\/p>\n This time around utter idiocy is in command. There are moments you can pick out of the festive-film d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu that do resonate, especially if you are a parent, and these are always a comic given. Indeed Christmas with the family does mean repetition of old ways and habits, and the predictability of it all is what the film-makers give a nod to here.<\/p>\n Part of the film\u2019s other issue is bad timing of outside forces at play on its \u2018innocent\u2019 storylines \u2013 through no fault of the film-makers. With Hollywood under a cloud of abuse allegations, Gibson\u2019s rather misogynistic character Kurt is a tad uncomfortable to watch, especially in a family film. The other is a loose attempt at tackling the gun control issue in a family-centric way, with both sides of the argument given, though the pro lobby shouting louder and even glorifying it further. The danger of polarizing characters and their beliefs renders the status quo as caricatures, with any depth and empathy for them in danger of being lost.<\/p>\n This does come across as Ferrell\/Brad and Wahlberg\/Dusty fight to be heard in the crowded screen space. Their central dynamic key to the first film and their past comedic success is muted to the point that when the cracks appear and the tipping point comes, there is a sense of disappointment. Perhaps making it more about the others \u2013 though\u00a0Linda Cardellini<\/a> as Brad\u2019s long-suffering wife is woefully under-used \u2013 is to the film concept\u2019s detriment: Too many personalities, big and small, grappling for the limelight?<\/p>\n Daddy\u2019s Home 2<\/em> does bring more daddies into the domestic fray with a couple of snatched laughs \u2013 more in disbelief at what is being delivered on screen with hindsight. It also will appeal to the Bad Moms<\/em> crowd too, with adults behaving childishly and without consequence. Even a sweet coming-of-age storyline about girl trouble fails to rescue this completely \u2013 and Ferrell and Wahlberg, however much we want it to.<\/p>\n 2\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n