Daddy’s Home 2 might not be very good and some Christmas comedy-classic-in-the-making this is not, but I did manage to chuckle a few times here and there and I did genuinely enjoy seeing Mel Gibson generally being a dick, otherwise it’s an unmemorable film.
Daddy’s Home 2
(2017)
Genre(s): Comedy
Paramount | PG13 – 100 min. – $44.95 | February 20, 2018
Date Published: 02/16/2018 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 2.25/5 |
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Between A Bad Mom’s Christmas and Daddy’s Home 2 (or as the main title says, Daddy’s Home Two) Hollywood must hate Christmas. I certainly have come to despise the holiday after watching those two films. Good news, however, is this film might not have been as bad but the humor is lacking and like Bad Mom’s Christmas, the cast was utterly wasted… and they might’ve literally been wasted while filming. Wouldn’t surprise me. It’s a simple plot: Brad (WILL FERRELL) and Dusty (MARK WAHLBERG) are bros and agree to be co-dads to their respective kids and the system seems to be going well. They even decide to have the two families spend Christmas together. Yep, things are wonderful… until Dusty’s absentee father, Karl (MEL GIBSON), makes a surprise phone call and is coming to town… And as it happens, Brad’s exuberant pops, Don (JOHN LITHGOW), is also arriving, apparently on the same flight, as Karl. Karl is none too pleased to see Brad and Dusty’s co-dad harmony and does all he can to upset the apple cart and to impress and upstage the more popular Don, whom the kids love, rents a Christmas mansion, somehow only a few days before the holiday, and the pack — which also includes Brad’s wife (LINDA CARDELLINI) and Dusty’s wife (ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO) and their respective kids — settle in for (oft unfunny) wild and zany antics. Oh, and Dusty’s step-daughter’s father, Roger (JOHN CENA), shows up for an extra measure of hilarity. Let’s just say, Cena’s cameo at the end of the first film was better than his expanded role here. It’s not that he can’t act; just the character didn’t get a whole lot to do. As I said, and just like A Bad Mom’s Christmas – I bring that one up as the two films are comparable, especially being unnecessary sequels to already half-assed comedies – Daddy’s Home 2 doesn’t give this incredibly talented cast that much material to work with. Will Ferrell, who can get on my nerves, is actually more reserved by comparison; Mark Wahlberg doesn’t exactly give it his all either; John Lithgow can be a hoot though this character is limited; and lastly Mel Gibson perhaps is the highlight as at least he appeared to be having a grand old time playing an asshole and in turn, I had fun watching him… Where this does separate itself from BMC is, other than enjoying Mel Gibson’s scenes, which I did manage to chuckle a few times whereas the other film I did not and actually grew angry. Daddy’s Home 2 also at least didn’t feel cynical or mean-spirited; take that for what its worth, though that’s not to say this film is any good, at the very least this one didn’t have a cringe-worthy car advert in the middle of the damn film… Just stay away from this film, just another holiday comedy that squanders a talented cast. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.25/5 |
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This release comes with a glossy slip cover and inside a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Making a Sequel (4:50; HD) is a short behind-the-scenes featurette on developing the sequel and trying to explain (emphasis on *trying*) the need for it to exist. Look Who’s Back (7:16; HD) is on the returning actors and those behind the camera. Co-Dads: Will and Mark (6:36; HD) looks at the dynamics between Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg and on the development of their characters. The New Dads in Town: Mel and John (7:37; HD) delve into the inclusion of Mel Gibson and John Lithgow into the cast. Captain Sully (2:17; HD) – Spoiler alert, Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullivan, makes a cameo as Brad’s new stepdad. Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes (11:17; HD) – Six scenes were either cut down or removed, likely for pacing issues. Nothing of special note. And last up is the required Gag Reel (3:40; HD) of the cast flubbing their lines or just fooling around. |
4K VIDEO – 4.75/5, BD VIDEO – 4.5/5 |
| Paramount releases Daddy’s Home 2 onto the 4K Ultra HD format (2160p) presented with a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio (theatrically it was 1.85, but Paramount opens up the matting on their releases) and as one would expect, this bright and cheerful comedy is helped out by the HDR boost for those colors while detail was rather finely detailed and sharp throughout. The 1080p high-definition transfer for the Blu-ray meanwhile also looks quite good and although might not have as bright of colors, still comes across rather well. |
4K/BD AUDIO – 4.25/5 |
| Both the 4K UHD and BD includes Dolby Atmos tracks which might be overkill for a movie like this but still impressive enough outputting crisp and clear dialogue from the center channel and there is at least some modest depth for a few scenes, such as when Brad, Dusty, etc go to the forest to cut down a Christmas tree. Otherwise, the rear speakers don’t get immense usage. |
OVERALL – 2.75/5 |
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Overall, Daddy’s Home 2 might not be very good and some Christmas comedy-classic-in-the-making this is not, but I did manage to chuckle a few times here and there and I did genuinely enjoy seeing Mel Gibson generally being a dick, otherwise just like the first one, it’s an unmemorable film. The 4K release offers up excellent video, solid audio and a bland set of features. |