Horrible Bosses 2 starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jennifer Aniston - film review

Horrible Bosses was a slick, sick, often genuinely funny farce that went on to become “the highest grossing black comedy film of all time”. The sequel is a modest affair. Like The Hangover 2, or Inbetweeners 2, it’s not looking for trouble from punters who want more of the same.

Our downtrodden heroes, Nick, Dale and Kurt (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis) are once more in conflict with a pathological CEO (this time played by Christoph Waltz) and spoilt No 1 son (Christopher Pine). Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston’s back as the predatory dentist, whose dream-scenario involves penetrating unconscious males. Critics have claimed this turns rape into a punchline. For goodness’ sake. The world of the film is completely heightened — demure employees don’t turn a hair when shown graphic CCTV footage, doting wives can’t help committing adultery. This stuff isn’t nasty. It’s (intentionally) silly.

All the cast are good, but Day is still my favourite. During a typically knowing debate concerning the sequel to Predator, Dale — cheerfully idiotic, but prone to fits of panic — admits that metaphors confuse him. So let’s keep this simple: director Seth Gordon has made a lazy movie, but – damn — it’s better than Predator 2.

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