Check out Kidzworld’s review of Daddy’s Home 2. Is it as funny/silly as the first movie? Can Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell take dueling daddies to the next level?
By: Lynn Barker
In Daddy’s Home 2, dad Dusty (Mark Whalberg) and wimpy stepdad Brad (Will Ferrell) are now peaceful about sharing custody of their two kids but the kids are tired of not spending a Christmas together with everybody in the same place. To really make that happen, Brad’s dad Don (John Lithgow) arrives in town and, unexpectedly, so does Dusty’s playboy-type, bad boy pop Kurt (Mel Gibson). Will the kids and their parents regret wanting such holiday togetherness?
John Lithgow (Pop Pop) arrivesCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
Daddies Galore
Dusty and Brad are now practically besties who do bake sales with their kids and hang out. When the group gets together with Dusty and Brad’s dads, chaos ensues. Kurt seems to like it when his son and Brad are pitted against each other again. He wants Dusty to “man up” and be more macho like he used to be. Dusty warns Brad not to listen to dad Kurt who moves on to the kids, telling Dylan (Owen Vaccaro), who is crushing on a girl, not to get stuck in the “friend zone” but to grab kisses and whatever else he can get. When he does so later.. Yikes, not a smart dating move.
Formerly friendly, Dusty and Brad start arguingCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
Fights Rekindled
Kurt books everybody into a mountain chalet, still evidently hoping for chaos and while Dusty and Brad pick at each other, Kurt takes the kids hunting, which goes really wrong and Brad’s dad “Pop Pop” reveals that he and Brad’s mom have split up. The kids get wasted on some eggnog. Dusty has a daughter by marriage and she’s a snotty mean girl (Didi Costine) who is a terrible influence on his daughter (Scarlett Estevez). The two girls tease Dylan non-stop. Nobody seems better off for getting the families together.
Kurt (Mel Gibson) and Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) check out family dramaCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
Crazy Goofs
Some wacky stuff happens involving Christmas lights, a trip to the movies, a man-eating snow blower, a voice-activated shower and some action in front of a manger scene. Brad’s dad is all kissy, kissy, cuddly way too much and Kurt flirts with and insults anything female. Poor Brad is constantly getting hurt and bouncing back. Can this crazy disaster of a big family holiday Christmas bring any of these people to a mutually happy place?
The kids are mostly entertained by all the chaosCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
Wrapping Up
If there is anything good in Daddy’s Home 2, it’s Will Ferrell’s willingness to do one crazy physical, slapstick comedy goof after another. If silly falls and crazy accidents really tickle your funny bone, this might be your movie. Otherwise, it’s kind of a mess.
Kurt doesn't see why his behavior is a problemCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
After all the talk of macho, take charge guys inappropriately flirting with and assaulting women in Hollywood, watching Mel Gibson’s Kurt try to be a lady slayer hottie is kind of well…sick and sleazy. Maybe just bad timing. The female cast in the movie just don’t have enough to do and that’s a shame. Some of the things the boys do is mean-spirited. John Lithgow’s Pop Pop is a sweet guy just taken advantage of. You want to hug him and tell him it will all be over soon.
Comedy at the bar isn't Kurt and Dusty's cup of brewCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
Daddy’s Home 2 really isn’t my kind of holiday film. Sure there are a few laughs but a lot of action and behavior just doesn’t cut it. For the few good jokes in the film we go three stars.
Daddy's Home 2 Movie Rating: 
Daddy's Home 2 PosterCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
See Daddy's Home 2 in theaters now!
Have Your Say
Did you like the first movie Daddy’s Home? Like Will Ferrell’s slapstick humor or the way he and Mark Wahlberg play off each other or, do you find these films just silly? Comment below.
