Blu-Ray Review: DADDY'S HOME 2 (4K)

Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow, Linda Cardellini, John Cena, Scarlett Estevez, Owen Vaccaro, Alessandra Ambrosio, Didi Costine, Chesley Sullenberger and the voice of Liam Neeson. Directed by Sean Anders. (2017/100 min).

PARAMOUNT

All things being equal, I'd have preferred a sequel to The Other Guys.

Instead, Will Ferrell & Mark Wahlberg re-team to give us a follow-up to 2015's Daddy's Home, which first gave them the unique opportunity to pad their bank accounts without working too hard. All that was required of them was to play extensions of their own images.

Daddy's Home 2 doubles the recipe by adding John Lithgow and Mel Gibson to the mix, who also play extensions of their own images as the two leads' overbearing dads with personalities nearly identical to their sons. The entire family goes to a winter resort to celebrate a Christmas, where the usual hijinks ensue. From pratfalls to family squabbles - even the gratuitous tender moments - everything is painted in broad strokes, with caricatures performed by a cast that looks like they're having a lot of fun.

The gang watches The Passion of the Christ.

How much fun the viewer has largely depends on their enjoyment of the original. The addition of Lithgow & Gibson notwithstanding, Daddy's Home 2 is more of the same and predictable to a fault. In fact, one could repeatedly leave the room while this is playing - for extended periods of time - and still know exactly what's happening at any given moment, making this the ideal film if you need to use the bathroom but misplaced the remote.

Similarly, my assessment of this pandering sequel is more of the same. Daddy's Home 2 is mostly an ensemble of cheap laughs, dumb slapstick and gags that go on way too long. Sure, there are a few chuckles along the way, but not nearly enough to make it worth enduring to anyone who didn't absolutely love the first film. And considering the cast, it's ironic that John Cena has all best moments (he's genuinely amusing, here).

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES: "Making a Sequel"; "Co-Dads: Will & Mark" "The New Dads in Town: Mel & John";

DELETED/ALTERNATE/EXTENDED SCENES

GAG REEL

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

DIGITAL COPY OF THE ORIGINAL DADDY'S HOME

KITTY CONSENSUS

MEH...UNLESS YOU LOVED THE ORIGINAL