Possibly because its forerunner was not quite so bad as I expected, I foolishly thought that this might be one of those breezy, wise-cracking bromances that mildly amuses before being instantly forgotten. The latter qualification applies, but not the former – it stinks. Part of the reason could be that the duo of Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell, who combined well enough in DH1, has had its chemistry diluted by the additional presence of Mel Gibson and John Lithgow, actors who don’t like to be ignored. Brad and Dusty (Ferrell, Wahlberg), two fathers sharing custody of a nauseating brood of children, are as different as chalk and cheese – their grudging acceptance of each other before becoming bosom buddies was the hackneyed theme that worked first time out, but it really did not deserve a sequel. Their fathers Don and Kurt (Lithgow, Gibson) are, if you can believe it, just like their sons, only more so. The seniors have decided to spend Christmas with the boys, setting up a series of dumb sight gags, pratfalls and oafish antics. You know straightaway from the greeting at the airport that the movie is on the slippery slope to the dunny pan when Brad and Don kiss and cuddle in the most excessive, stupid way. Ferrell, who can be so measured in his extremities (Talladega Nights, The Campaign) carries on like a goose throughout. Lithgow is similarly over the top, while Wahlberg anchors it and Gibson, indulging in appreciable self-parody, appears to be wondering throughout if he has wandered on to the wrong set. What it does have is perhaps the most reprehensible moment in a G-rated movie that I have seen all year. Dusty buys a rifle for his little girl and she soon after shoots two turkeys with it, which is meant to be funny. What is WRONG with America? And as for the distributors rolling out a Chrissy pic before the end of November – we’re not all mug punters. Or are we?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.
If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.
If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.
Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.
Support Us
Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.
You’re supporting The Echo, thank you
Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.
Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.
Tell us what you think, give us your opinion
The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.
The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.
Online comments are no longer available.
