Horrible Bosses 2 review: Give us a break, boss

Unless the makers are willing to try something new, or do something unexpected, a Part 2 just doesn’t work. Director Sean Anders, unfortunately, doesn’t even attempt to rock the boat with this one.

HORRIBLE BOSSES 2
Direction: Sean Anders
Actors: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston
Rating: 1.5/5

You know how in Bollywood they often make absolutely unnecessary sequels just because the first film somehow turned out to be a hit? Well, like a lot of other ideas — good and bad — we have lifted this formula from Hollywood. And belongs to that long, forgettable list of unimaginative sequels.

Part 2 brings back the exaggeratedly idiotic trio from the first film — Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis), Dale (Charlie Day). Last time, they wanted to get rid of their respective bosses. Now they work together, and have created something called a Shower Buddy — a shower head that dispenses shampoo.

It’s an appropriately daft invention. But they think they’re on to a winner. A big, shrewd businessman, Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz; wasted in the tiny role) plays nice, then tricks them. And thus begins another round of predictable, ridiculous attempts to deal with the new boss.

There are a few set pieces that work, especially when they’re taking the mickey out of other films. “We have a Fight Cluber,” screams Kurt when horrible boss’s even-more-horrible son, Rex (Chis Pine), punches himself to stage a kidnapping.

They do a fake slow-mo walk that reminds you of the Hangover trio. Unfortunately, these are the only glimpses of wit in an otherwise unfunny film.

The story progression and overall humour are rehashed to keep the flavour of the original. Which, let’s accept it, was as formulaic as it gets. By now, not much of what the characters do makes much sense. And together, they are more a triumvirate of idiocy than three separate characters.

Other cast members from the original are also brought in for guest appearances, including Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), Nick’s boss who is now in jail, and Dean ‘MF’ Jones (Jamie Foxx). The foul-mouthed sex-addicted Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston) returns too. But if you’ve seen Part 1, there will be nothing she does or says here that will surprise.

Unless the makers are willing to try something new, or do something unexpected, a Part 2 just doesn’t work. Director Sean Anders, unfortunately, doesn’t even attempt to rock the boat with this one.

My advice, see it if you loved the original so much that even a slightly tweaked, sloppier version of the same will do.