Daddy’s Home 2, the sequel to the 2015 Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg film,  is nothing more than an unfunny, coldhearted mess that pits the “alpha male” and “beta male” stereotypes against one another, but unlike Daddy’s Home, they’ve dressed it in an ugly Christmas sweater. Not only is it a terrible and boring Christmas movie, it addresses the audience as if they are the most unintelligent people alive. The film dares to unsavorily touch on controversial social and political problems that we face daily, but it has nothing real to say.

The film starts with Mark Wahlberg’s character, Dusty, and Will Ferrell’s character, Brad, working together as “Co-dads” to make sure that their kids are happy. Everything is going great until the kids express some anger towards them and Dusty’s father, who hasn’t been seen for a few years, calls and invites himself over for Christmas.

Dusty’s father, played by Mel Gibson, comes into town along with Brad’s father, played by John Lithgow. Dusty’s father, Kurt, and Mel Gibson are practically the same person. His performance is uncomfortable and it was hard to realize that the hyper misogynistic, openly mean spirited character was just that; a character.

The film’s greatest downfall is just the lack of real comedy. Throughout the 98 minute run time there are maybe two or three good jokes. It seems as if the writers forgot what a joke was, for the jokes’ setups tended to also be the punchline. The slapstick comedy also fell flat on its face in every instance.

If you have to get a gift for someone you don’t like this year, fill their stocking with a copy of Daddy’s Home 2. Even coal would be more enjoyable.

0.5/5