If you're in the market for an undemanding, relatively amusing way to while away a couple of hours, then Horrible Bosses 2 could be just the ticket.
The follow-up to 2011's hit comedy sees hapless trio Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) attempt to escape the shackles of the 9-5 slog by becoming their own bosses and making millions.
They devise the 'Shower Buddy' and after a disastrous appearance on daytime TV, somewhat incongruously get a contract to make 100,000 units of their invention from shady CEO Burt Hanson (Christoph Waltz).
Ah but there must be a catch - and there is. The lads get a loan of $500,000 to go into production, but when Burt reneges on the deal at the last minute, they face bankruptcy and certain failure. A harebrained brainstorming session leads them to their latest scheme - to kidnap Burt's preened and pampered son Rex (Chris Pine) and hold him for exactly $500,000 in ransom.
What could go wrong? A whole lot it turns out. Cue a series of mishaps and misadventures involving leaking laughing gas, double-crosses, Dale's lecherous ex-boss Dr Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston) and a high-speed car chase with their favourite criminal confidant Dean Jones (Jamie Foxx).
The patchy script is saved by the collective chemistry of Bateman, Sudeikis and Day - who evidently had a lot of fun making this movie. Bateman is perfectly cast as the fretful straight man to Sudeikis' charming and lascivious Kurt and Day's hyperactive Dale. Chris Pine is a good addition to the cast as the vulnerable but morally corrupt businessman, but Oscar-winner Christoph Walz is criminally underused as the greasy tycoon who is out to get them.
The jokes come thick and fast ensuring the audience never gets bored - and even when the more offensive or crude gags don't come off, there usually is another laugh around the corner.
Sarah McIntyre
