Review - Daddy's Home 2 - Ferrell hits the mark in funny festive film!

Following on from the success of the Daddy's Home and the unmistakable comic chemistry between Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, writer and director Sean Anders adds the comic talents of John Lithgow and Mel Gibson to a yuletide setting and produces a surprisingly warm hearted yet funny festive treat.
In Daddy's Home 2, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their new found friendship is put to the test when Dusty's old-school Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad's highly emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.
Like the first film of the series, slapstick humour is to the forefront with Ferrell( rebounding spectacularly from the disaster that was The House earlier this year) adding most of the killer punches as the ultimate class clown. His partnership with on screen dad Lithgow is also a hit with both actors clearly enjoying their respective roles and the antics that these roles involve. Gibson in a darker comic role also excels and along with Wahlberg are the perfect yin to the Ferrell/Lithgow yang.
Whilst some of the gags can be predicted before they appear, such is the talent and obvious comradery of the cast that most of them land quite well, with more than a few laugh out loud chuckles heard throughout the captivated cinema audience.
Undoubtedly it has it's faults, with the film at times being guilty of being a bit too sickly sweet and sentimental. Some of the supporting cast also get left behind in the frolics enjoyed by the four main characters, with John Cena and Alessandra Ambrosion in particular looking out of their league.
However, even though mainstream critical acclaim hasn't been over kind to this movie, it should be a case of taking this movie on it's merits (it never did claim to be Citizen Kane!) which is a largely comical, at times over sentimental but ultimately enjoyable seasonal delight!
✸✸✸1/2