Horrible Bosses 2 Movie Poster Image

Horrible Bosses 2

(i)

 

Tiresome, unfunny sequel amps up the tastelessness level.
  • Review Date: November 26, 2014
  • Rated: R
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Release Year: 2014
  • Running Time: 108 minutes

What parents need to know

Positive messages

Three characters gleefully indulge in crime to get what they want, with very iffy behavior throughout. They pay a small price but ultimately get away with it. Corporate criminals are punished. Women are objectified. Mean practical jokes are played.

Positive role models

The characters don't really learn much and behave in very questionable ways.

Violence

A character is shot, with blood shown. Other characters are shot. A character punches himself in the face, with blood and bruises shown. Car chase, with near-crashes.

Sex

A technically innocent act is made to look like two men engaged in oral sex, as well as touching in other places. Very strong sexual innuendo. A meeting of a sex addiction group. Sex act viewed in grainy surveillance footage; a man's naked bottom and thrusting shown. Women are objectified.

Language

"F--k" is used very frequently; a character's actual name is "Motherf----r." Also constant use of words like "t-ts," "c--k," "ass," "bitch," "blow job," "d--k," "balls," "a--hole," piss," and "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation). A website is called "NickKurtDale," which, pronounced quickly, sounds like "the 'N' word Dale."

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Horrible Bosses 2 is the sequel to Horrible Bosses, but it's far less funny -- and even more tasteless. Language is extremely strong, with tons of uses of "f--k" (and just about every other word under the son) and heavy, frequent sexual innuendo. A sex act is shown on a grainy surveillance tape, with thrusting and a man's naked bottom. Women are objectified. Guns are fired, characters die, and blood is shown. A man punches himself in the face. The main characters cheerfully enter into a criminal plot, with no consequences (they seem too dumb to have learned anything). The first movie was quite funny and smart, and it was possible to sympathize with the characters, but this time, their stupidity is their undoing. But teens who loved the original hit will probably still want to see this one, too.

What's the story?

Having been freed from their horrible bosses in the previous movie, Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis), and Dale (Charlie Day) have decided to go into business selling their new invention, a "shower buddy." But a ruthless businessman (Christoph Waltz) cheats them by getting them to manufacture 100,000 units and then canceling the order. With their livelihood at stake, the guys plan to kidnap the businessman's horrible son, Rex (Chris Pine). But they receive a shock when Rex wants to be kidnapped -- for a cut of the ransom. Things get even more complicated when Dale's old dentist boss (Jennifer Aniston) and "MF" Jones (Jamie Foxx) enter the picture, and the boys face a nasty double-cross.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

The original Horrible Bosses was funny, fresh, and smart. HORRIBLE BOSSES 2, on the other hand, is unfunny, stale, and dumb. In the first movie, the characters were stuck in intolerable situations, and it was easy to side with them. This time their own crushing stupidity gets them into their mess, and sympathy is in short supply. Worse, the trio is together in every scene, and their shtick is the same throughout: Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) chatter incessantly about vaguely unrelated topics, and Nick (Jason Bateman) rolls his eyes and makes flat, deadpan comments.

The director of the first film was Seth Gordon, of the great documentary The King of Kong. The new director, Sean Anders, made the not-so-great Adam Sandler movie, That's My Boy. Perhaps as a direct correlation, there's a distinct drop in comic timing and pitch this time around; Horrible Bosses 2 feels too long, drags over too many dead spots, and repeats the same gags. Not to mention that so many of the jokes, in addition to being tiresome, are simply tasteless and annoying.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about Horrible Bosses 2's strong sexual innuendo. What effect does it have? Is it shocking? Does it reveal anything about the characters?

  • What are the ways in which violence can affect an audience? How does it feel in this movie? Does it inspire laughter? Shock?

  • Why do the characters choose crime to solve their problems? Is their choice realistic? Is it funny? Does it make them sympathetic? What do the characters learn from their ordeal?

  • How does the movie view women?

Movie details

Theatrical release date:November 26, 2014
DVD release date:February 24, 2015
Cast:Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis
Director:Sean Anders
Studio:Warner Bros.
Genre:Comedy
Run time:108 minutes
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:strong crude sexual content and language throughout

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What parents and kids say

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Teen, 15 years old Written byWhitelr December 14, 2014

Iffy Choice For Teens 16 and Up

If you trust you teens,then you would give them a choice to watch this.It wasn't as bad I thought it was.I would just watch out for a lot of f bombs and strong sexual humor.But,if you think about it,is not something that your teens have not seen before but,if they can handle it then I guess they'll be fine.
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Parent of a 8, 10, 12, and 14 year old Written byChapo March 9, 2015

Not funny and very vulgar

First movie was funny even though it had lots of bad language and sex references etc. Well this movie is way too over the top stupid in all levels. No consequences for bad behavior ,kidnapping etc, the F bombs are countless and some nudity and all sex talks and references pretty over the top vulgar. Shame on Jennifer Anniston. I would never let any younger than 18 or even that see it. Waste of time and mind pollution.
What other families should know
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Teen, 17 years old Written bysharona2 May 22, 2015

Absolutely hilarious!

It takes a really good comedy to make me laugh out loud and this was one of the best! If you enjoyed the first one, you'll love this one!!! Definitely topped it and the characters are insane, I wish they were my friends hahaha. Go watch it now if you need a laugh.
What other families should know
Great role models
Too much swearing

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