Review: Horrible Bosses 2

Sequels to comedies are possibly some of the most predictable movies ever made. The stories begin showing the audience where our beloved characters are now; next, some of kind conflict brings the gang back together again, and then they embark on a journey full of mishaps and one-liners that seems remarkably similar to the first movie. This is true for “Anchorman 2,” “22 Jump Street,” and “The Hangover 2” (and 3), and it is also true for “Horrible Bosses 2”.

horriblebosses2I am not saying the movie is as horrible as the characters’ bosses. For a movie many expected to not live up to the 2011 original, it was very enjoyable, while being somewhat average. Sequels can be like a do-over; they often give actors, directors and writers a second chance to make a funnier, better movie (not that they always succeed).

In the case of “Horrible Bosses 2,” the jokes are much more raunchy and just as hilarious, and the chemistry between Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day hits a laugh-out-loud, knee-slapping peak. Day’s signature crazy, screeching, little-man routine juxtaposed with Bateman’s normal rational, buzzkill character is a seriously hilarious mix, especially with Sudeikis thrown in there.

Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Spacey reprise their over-the-top roles in even more ridiculous ways, and the new additions to the cast are only improvements. Perspectives always differ, but it really depends on how much you enjoyed the first film. If you loved the original, you will love the sequel.

Nick (Bateman), Kurt (Sudeikis) and Dale (Day) are still best friends after trying, and failing, to murder their soulless, slave-driving bosses. This time, the threesome decide to become their own bosses. They have an entreprenuerial idea – the “Shower Buddy”, a shower head that dispenses shampoo, conditioner, etc. — but lack the necessary funds to start a business.

A big-time retailer soon becomes interested, and the boys make a deal to start up their company and sell shower buddies nationwide in stores. Little do they know, the slick investor is about to pull the rug out from under them, forcing them to lose everything they’ve worked for. Rather than attempting to commit murder once again, they decide kidnapping would be a more appropriate crime for their current predicament.

Newcomers to the “Horrible Bosses” cast are Christoph Waltz, playing slimy, billionaire investor Bert Hanson, and Chris Pines, playing Hanson’s son, Rex. They take the parts of the adversaries who stand in the way of the protagonists and their dreams of success. Rex is who the gang targets to kidnap, in hopes they receive a hefty ransom from his father. Pines’ character is a grown-up rich kid who solely relies on his father’s fortune and shows signs of a possible psychotic streak. Rex is pretty crazy, but in a funny way for the most part, and ends up having hilarious chemistry with his captors. Waltz does what he does best: portraying a backstabbing villain, oftentimes flashing his signature sinister smirk.

The Aniston’s and Spacey’s characters make a small, impactful return. Dave Harken (Spacey) is behind bars and sporting a new diamond earring, but his screaming rage is still very much there when the gang makes visits to him. Dr. Julia Harris (Aniston) is now attending sex addicts anonymous meetings, but she has not quite kicked the habit, as Nick has the pleasure of discovering. Aniston is more crude and raunchy than she has ever been, and it is shockingly hilarious. However, it can make the viewing experience a little uncomfortable if you’re with the family.

“Horrible Bosses 2” did modestly at the box office and in critics’ ratings. It received a 33 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes (which is a rotten rating) and a 40 on the Meta Critic scale, another website that compiles movie reviews. It came out in fifth place this weekend at the box office, behind the number one movie, “Mockingjay Part 1,” and made $15.5 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo.

 

Note: Featured image is courtesy of the film’s Wikipedia page, derived from Creative Commons.

 

About Nicole Crites

Entertainment Director - Senior journalism major from Fort Worth, TX