The story of the "sequel" is the single most tiring story to listen to. It is a tale as old as time -- or at least as old as good movies have been butchered by last minute money-making leaps. The first Horrible Bosses was not only funny because it was a different form of comedy that shined a bright light on Jason Sudeikis' unique style but it was fine with the way it ended the first time. It's an all-star cast with a weak, practice-squad plot. That's not a bad thing, though! It was hilarious and surprising which got everyone riled up when they saw commercials for its sequel but once I got past the first couple scenes there was not much that could be salvaged.
It is frustrating to see such amazing talent wasted. This cast is solid through and through with each member having a great track record to prove it. The result of having such a far-reaching plot and re-upped lines from its predecessor only comes with worn out laughter.
Nick, Kurt, and Dale (Bateman, Sudeikis, Day) have a brilliantly dim-witted entrepreneurial venture that will change showering to a whole new experience. After a promotional appearance on a morning talk show ended in embarrassing [hilarious] shambles, they are sought by billionaire father-son duo Bert and Rex Hanson (Waltz and Pine). As you can imagine, things do not go in the way our three protagonists hope so that leads to familiar faces making a comeback as well as their own completely stupid ways that would give Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels and run for their money.
Director Sean Anders can personally thank Charlie Day (Always Sunny in Philadelphia) for maintaining what comedic integrity was left in the script. He has a screech in his voice that never really get old because he can make and line funny.
Jason Sudeikis (Hall Pass, We're The Millers) is funny, also. He can take references from all over and make them work in all of his movies. But, as seen in other reviews, he is hit-or-miss. Here: mostly miss. I cannot totally dog his efforts because he and Charlie Day have proven to be a good team. Jason Bateman is kind of the front man for this trio but seems to be stuck in the shadows this time around. His only route to laughs is being the voice of reason for the other two while they are going back and forth, sometimes a little too long.
The supporting cast if what draws viewers in movies like this. Jennifer Aniston reprises her brunette role as Dale's boss, Dr. Julia. With all of the crudeness you can imagine, she is a recovering sexaholic now and that can only help so many people. Her lines are dirty and hot and overall identical to the first installment--eh, a little more emphasis on the "dirty" this time.
My ticket stub abbreviated the title to just "Horrible." Maybe they were thinking of Chris Pine. He plays a fake hateworthy character but his performance is plastic and overreaching. Christoph Waltz and Kevin Spacey are two of a very select group of actors who have won an Oscar every time they have been nominated. Spacey makes a 10 second appearance behind plated glass and Waltz is forgettable and incomplete as a crooked billionaire.
Well, this has been fun. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, once again. I know Jamie Foxx wishes they didn't show his only good lines in the previews as much as I do. Insult to injury here was how each scene was milked bone dry until there was nothing to laugh at but still tried to find a bang to end with. Let's just forget and move on. GRADE: 5/10
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