Certainly, these three may not get our votes for employees of the year award, especially given that they had tried to kill their previous bosses before. Nevertheless, Nick, Kurt and Dale are back, after acquitted from the charges of attempting murder - no thanks to some late plot twists involving one of their bosses, and clean shears of luck. The first movie, which was released in the summer of 2011, is designed to illustrate a darker, sick and twisted truth at our everyday jobs. It is at least made with pleasing moments and escapist no holds barred gags, albeit the uneven and controversial comedic tone and material it presented. The sequel, much like those in the successful comedies you have seen so often, tries to beat around the bush by introducing the same formula and story. However, more often than not, the frequent downside of such sequel is the plenty of letdowns they offer. But then, does Horrible Bosses need a sequel after all?
The three best friends Nick, Kurt and Dale, (played by Jason Batsman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day, respectively) intend to set up a new business venture by manufacturing and marketing a seemingly fun shower machine. However, they are cash-strapped. A chance to appear in a morning show segment, lands the trio with an opportunity to work with their new investors, Burt Hanson (Christoph Waltz) and his son Rex (Chris Pine) but only agrees to invest if they can make 100,000 units. The trio forks out $500,000 to ensure their output volume is achieved, but Burt backs out of their deal in the very last minute, claiming that he never signed it as an agreement. After seeking for financial advice from Nick’s old boss Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), the three then resolve to assert revenge on Burt by kidnapping Rex and hold him for ransom.
While the original movie was boosted with essential escapist moments, the sequel on the first hand, seems more like a desperate affair to rehash the material for the sake of presenting it as a sequel. Thankfully, or rather awkwardly, there are no horrible bosses in this movie because Waltz and Pine as the father-and-son capitalist evil duo were not signed to be one, which sorts of giving this sequel some creative freedom and different dimensions to work with. But many other things remain the same as it was. The whole jokes, as preset in the opening sequence when the three stooges demonstrating on how to use their innovative product called “Shower Buddy”, has basically set the tone for the next 100 minutes. But to be honest, I am expecting something more groundbreaking, or something that really puts a good pun and delivers good quality jokes. Instead, Horrible Bosses does not stand out distinctively to set itself apart from the rest of the growing raunchy comedy genre.
Unfortunately, the physical and sex jokes are deemed the biggest selling points and are also over-stretched too far to erupt controversies. Let us call it a bad taste writing from director Sean Anders and John Morris (We’re the Millers). While the jokes may be funny, but there are also offensive with touches and remarks are being made on sensitive issues such as rape and racism. And unlike recent comedies from either of them, the hilarious portion is not in-sync with the situation or circumstances of the story. Hence, it is completely wasted to see such a commendable list of talent pools end up doing or serving the movie with lack of power substance. But do not get me wrong, the performances are just fine, that even the lazy turnout by Christoph Waltz and poor cameo setup for Kevin Spacey seems uncanny. Ultimately, Horrible Bosses 2 does not earn itself enough merit to be on par with the predecessor due to its sporadic and offensive laughs, as well as having an inane and tasteless plot. C+
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The three best friends Nick, Kurt and Dale, (played by Jason Batsman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day, respectively) intend to set up a new business venture by manufacturing and marketing a seemingly fun shower machine. However, they are cash-strapped. A chance to appear in a morning show segment, lands the trio with an opportunity to work with their new investors, Burt Hanson (Christoph Waltz) and his son Rex (Chris Pine) but only agrees to invest if they can make 100,000 units. The trio forks out $500,000 to ensure their output volume is achieved, but Burt backs out of their deal in the very last minute, claiming that he never signed it as an agreement. After seeking for financial advice from Nick’s old boss Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), the three then resolve to assert revenge on Burt by kidnapping Rex and hold him for ransom.
While the original movie was boosted with essential escapist moments, the sequel on the first hand, seems more like a desperate affair to rehash the material for the sake of presenting it as a sequel. Thankfully, or rather awkwardly, there are no horrible bosses in this movie because Waltz and Pine as the father-and-son capitalist evil duo were not signed to be one, which sorts of giving this sequel some creative freedom and different dimensions to work with. But many other things remain the same as it was. The whole jokes, as preset in the opening sequence when the three stooges demonstrating on how to use their innovative product called “Shower Buddy”, has basically set the tone for the next 100 minutes. But to be honest, I am expecting something more groundbreaking, or something that really puts a good pun and delivers good quality jokes. Instead, Horrible Bosses does not stand out distinctively to set itself apart from the rest of the growing raunchy comedy genre.
Unfortunately, the physical and sex jokes are deemed the biggest selling points and are also over-stretched too far to erupt controversies. Let us call it a bad taste writing from director Sean Anders and John Morris (We’re the Millers). While the jokes may be funny, but there are also offensive with touches and remarks are being made on sensitive issues such as rape and racism. And unlike recent comedies from either of them, the hilarious portion is not in-sync with the situation or circumstances of the story. Hence, it is completely wasted to see such a commendable list of talent pools end up doing or serving the movie with lack of power substance. But do not get me wrong, the performances are just fine, that even the lazy turnout by Christoph Waltz and poor cameo setup for Kevin Spacey seems uncanny. Ultimately, Horrible Bosses 2 does not earn itself enough merit to be on par with the predecessor due to its sporadic and offensive laughs, as well as having an inane and tasteless plot. C+
Numerical Rating (In case you are also interested):
Story: 2.5
Casts: 3.5
Cinematography: 3.5
Effects: 3.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 11.7/20.0
Story: 2.5
Casts: 3.5
Cinematography: 3.5
Effects: 3.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 11.7/20.0
Trailer:
Info Dashboard:
Horrible Bosses 2
Casts: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine, Christoph Waltz
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Sean Anders
Screenplay: Sean Anders, John Morris, Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley
Rating: 18
Release date: 27 November 2014
Running time: 108 minutes
Casts: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine, Christoph Waltz
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Sean Anders
Screenplay: Sean Anders, John Morris, Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley
Rating: 18
Release date: 27 November 2014
Running time: 108 minutes