Much like pumpkin spice lattes, holiday comedies seem to be rolling out earlier and earlier every year.
And this follow-up to 2015s dueling-daddies hitdoeshave a few mild chuckles, but not as many as you want.
It makes a perfectly fine (and instantly forgettable) diversion during an afternoon of Christmas shopping.
The Badass and The Boob.
But since harmony is the enemy of comedy, trouble returns with the arrival oftheiroil-and-water fathers.
Brads dad is played by John Lithgow a kill-you-with-kindness, kiss-on-the-mouth wimp in a bright red sweater.
But it just ends up feeling broad and thin and formulaic and obvious.
Plus, who doesnt want to see a good-cheer Christmas movie starring…Mel Gibson?
Like his post-scandal villain inThe Expendables 3, Gibson leans into his off-putting and slightly toxic public persona.
As for Lithgow, hes game enough with his embarrassingly over-the-top displays of affection and aw-shucks G-rated good cheer.
But neither is what youd call particularly surprising.
Little kids fire rifles at wild turkeys and get drunk on egg nog.
Peaceful nativity reenactments turn into sadistic snowball fights.
Of course, theres a sort of comfort in familiarity, especially around the traditions of the holidays.
ButDaddys Home 2never manages to really catch you off guard and crack you up the way the best comedies should.C+
