Director: Mark Waters
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly, Ryan Hansen, Mike Starr, Octavia Spencer.
I can't believe it's been 13 years since Bad Santa was released, that's the same year as Finding Nemo and Love Actually. I thought that film was much younger, like five years old at the most and I what I remember of the first, is that it was downright rude, almost unnecessarily so. But, that's what made it so hilarious.
Sadly, the sequel has all the crudeness, derogatory comedy and slapstick from the first but lacks the style. It's like the first film got a TV series spin-off and this was the pilot. Even with the addition of Kathy Bates, who's certainly not afraid to cross the line, improve matters.
I'm not sure if I'm blaming the director, Mark Waters who has previously given us Mean Girls and Freaky Friday. But Terry Zwigoff did a fine job of the first one. It's mediocre and nothing new or outstanding here, the unfortunate poor ingredients of a weaker sequel.
Billy Bob Thornton is of course, on form, and slips right back into the Santa suit in that disgusting, sleaze-ball manner. It's the quick-fire degrading insults and quips loaded with sacks full of sarcasm that earns this film some pressies. But, it just gets stuck in the chimney with a weak plot.
Worse still, Tony Cox, whose acting hasn't improved at all, and possibly worser than the previous, is terrible which may have been forgiven in the first due to his outrageous violence and fiery short temper. Brett Kelly was better, returning as The Kid, Thurman Merman all grown up. Well, kinda.
As with the first, Bad Santa is still bad, in fact, rock bottom and has clearly had enough until his old turncoat of a partner gives him a proposition. There's a glimmer of hope yet and we again see glimpses of a conscience but it isn't enough to save this Christmas parade.
As comedies go this year, it really lacked the punch like a Christmas tree without the tinsel. Most of all the other comedies had pretty decent scenes, clever camera work and a good accompanying soundtrack. This, just appeared to rely of the swearing script and gratuitous sex.
Fans of the first may be disappointed. Newcomers will just be disgusted.
Running Time: 7
The Cast: 7
Performance: 4
Direction: 5
Story: 4
Script: 7
Creativity: 4
Soundtrack: 2
Job Description: 2
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
Would I buy the Blu-ray?: Certainly won't be making my wishlist to Santa.
42% 4/10
