By Paul Hall
In the movies, sequels are a way of life. Films that rake in big dollars at the box office are fertile territory for a second, third or fourth go-around. With likable characters and fun actors, it was only a matter of time until the 2015 Christmas Day release of Daddy’s Home found its way to a sequel, and that time is now with the new film Daddy’s Home 2.
Brad (Will Ferrell) and Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) have ironed out their differences and are continuing down the pathway to being the best co-dads in the world. The kids love both of them equally, but they are tired of going from house to house for birthdays and the like. When little Megan exclaims at the Christmas program that she and her brother are tired of the holiday craziness, there is only one solution for Brad and Dusty — “together Christmas.”
A beautiful together Christmas seems like a great idea until the phone rings. Dusty’s father Kurt (Mel Gibson) is coming to town for the holiday, and with Brad’s dad (John Lithgow) already planning to visit, the stage is set for a challenging holiday.
Both families decide to travel for hours to spend Christmas in a large rental home. But staying together under the same roof will just enhance the pressure as both Brad and Dusty want to be the father who their kids turn to.
Can the very different families coexist for the Christmas holiday, or will Kurt succeed in trying to torpedo his son’s relationship with his co-dad?
I enjoyed the original film. Ferrell and Wahlberg worked well together and seemed to very naturally play off one another. The same holds true in the sequel. In re-creating their roles, the two men seem to just enjoy working together as they exploit the nuances of their characters for laughs and fun.
The casting of Lithgow as Ferrell’s dad and Gibson as Wahlberg’s was bold, daring and spot-on as they are the ultimate older versions of Brad and Dusty. The characters are likable in their good and bad traits.
The jokes hit with everything from familial relationships to that sweet, innocent youth crush. The filmmakers even have some direct tributes to the first film in the franchise that will make you want to go back and take a peek at the 2015 film.
There’s a heart beating at the center of this truly unique family. Relatable and fun characters allow us to relax and enjoy the journey despite any shortcomings that arise. Daddy’s Home 2 is the perfect film to break up the holidays and enjoy a bucket of popcorn with. This film may even be the rare sequel that just got a touch better than the original. Daddy is home, and he’s bringing a good time to a theater near you.
Paul’s Grade: B
Daddy’s Home 2
Rated PG-13
Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson
Director: Sean Anders
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