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EDITOR'S PICK
'Horrible
Bosses 2' - this one's not boss material (IANS Movie Review)
Rating:
**1/2
'Horrible Bosses 2' conjures images of vicious and maleficent employers who
treat their employees shabbily and probably that's why the 2011 released film 'Horrible
Bosses' was a predictable runaway success.
But, taking off from its predecessor, 'Horrible Bosses 2' graduates from this
premise to the idea of being one's own boss and sensitive towards their
employees. And thus, probably, this film fails to leave an impact.
No longer burdened by their respective previous employers, the trio, Nick
Hendricks (Bateman), Kurt Buckman (Sudeikis), and Dale Arbus (Day) have turned
into entrepreneurs, producing an innovative shower. They are now looking out for
partners to help them take this venture forward, to a different level.
Soon their paths cross with a multi-millionaire businessman, Bert Hanson
(Christoph Waltz), who lures them with a whopping order. They go all out, beyond
their means, to achieve their targets. But when they are duped by Bert, they
realise that after all they 'are not boss material'.
Now down in the dumps and bankrupt, as their revenge and survival strategy, they
plan to kidnap Bert's grown-up son Rex (Chris Pine), who willingly becomes their
victim.
Prior to that, they seek help and advice from their old pal Jones (Jamie Foxx)
as well as Nick's foul-mouthed, now imprisoned ex-boss (Kevin Spacey). But all
in vain.
Packaged with a series of set pieces of crass slapsticks and insinuations which
intentionally inject humour and sub-plots, which are loosely assembled events
that swing on morality, the entire plot seems contrived.
Director Sean Ander's efforts lack the much-needed punch. The writing is
lethargic. The dialogues are on-the-face-blunt, tactless and mediocre, which
suits the characterisation.
With the trio acting as dumb-idiots, their performances are good and credible,
but definitely not outstanding. Bateman seems like the sane one who is always
frustrated, Sudeikis is always on a hop and Day is squeaky, loud and irritating.
Of the supporting cast, Christoph Waltz and Chris Pine as the father-son duo are
worth a mention. They are in fact, the surprise package in this edition. Waltz
is good as the slime-bag businessman, but it is Chris Pine, as his
over-enthusiastic, wayward as well as enigmatic son, who steals the show.
Jennifer Aniston as Dale's filthy, sex-addicted former employer along with Kevin
Spacey, in their short screen time, helps in keeping some semblance of
consistency with 'Horrible Bosses'. They are just reduced to stock characters
and hence leave no impression on the audience.
With overall good production values, cinematography and action, which includes
an unexpected car chase, 'Horrible Bosses 2', with a potential for a truly dark
comedy is, in turn just an ordinarily, good-natured comedy sans the bosses. It
clearly lacks the zing.