A Bad Moms Christmas
3.5/4
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, Susan Sarandon, Jay Hernandez, Peter Gallagher, Justin Hartley
Rated R for Crude Sexual Content and Language Throughout, and Some Drug Use
Last year's "Bad Moms" was a breath of fresh comic air. In an age where comedy is apparently watching a bunch of stand-up comedians riff incessantly on the same non-existent joke while trying to be as gross and offensive as possible, watching "Bad Moms" was like finding a lake of crystal clear water in the middle of the Sahara. Unlike "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" or the pair of Seth Rogen monstrosities, the tone-deaf "Sausage Party" and the horror that was "Neighbors 2," "Bad Moms" had an actual script. It was about actual characters and situations, and it had a comic point of view. It was a big hit for those reasons, but mainly because it was absolutely hilarious. Thus, a sequel was made. The question is, can it make magic strike twice? Not quite, but it comes pretty damn close.
Amy (Kunis), Kiki (Bell), and Carla (Hahn) are finding solace together from the stresses of being a mom. But it's the Christmas season, and the need for perfection in all things Christmas is leaving them frazzled. But just when they've resolved to say "fuck it" and let the chips fall as they may, they each get a bombshell: their mothers are coming to visit. Carla's mom Isis (Sarandon) is a gambling junkie who only drops by when she needs money. Kiki's mom Sandy (Hines) is a borderline psycho with serious boundary issues. But Amy fares the worst. Her mother is Ruth (Baranski), a super critical perfectionist who pushes everything to the 11 (and then some). It's a war between the moms for Christmas. And their sanity.
One of the hallmarks of "Bad Moms" and this sequel is that it gave a giant middle finger to the pursuit of perfection. Not only did it accept the fact that no one is perfect, it embraced it. The need to be successful in any pursuit is a universal feeling, as is losing sight of why you're actually doing what you're doing. "Bad Moms" tapped into that in a very real way, and this movie is no different. We can vicariously live through these characters and their rebellion against societal expectations that are impossible to meet. That's why everyone can relate to these movies, mom or not.
But more than some sort of anarchic treatise, "A Bad Moms Christmas" is a comedy, and on that level this movie hits one right out of the park. This movie had me howling. It's filled with great moments, like when the girls get freaky with the mall Santa or when Kiki has surprise visitor in the bedroom (while she's trying to have sex with her husband). The most uproarious sequence is a Sexy Santa contest that gets way out of control. That the movie opens with an exasperated Amy looking at her trashed house as a camel walks by should tell you that this movie will not be labeled as "Capra-esque."
The performances are on target. Kunis, Bell and Hahn are just as hilarious as before, playing the decisive Amy, naive Kiki and bawdy Carla. They're equally matched by their foils. Christine Baranski is perfectly cast as the mother from hell. She's such a bitch that is a wonder that Amy turned out so well-adjusted. Type A does not do this woman justice. Cheryl Hines mixes creepy and funny with almost surgical precision as the uber clingy mother. And Susan Sarandon has no problem playing the politically incorrect Isis. The supporting cast is just fine. Jay Hernandez returns as Amy's impossibly good looking and charming boyfriend Jesse, and "This is Us" star Justin Hartley shows up as a sex bomb with the hots for Carla.
Most Christmas movies have happy endings, and this is no different. That doesn't mean that writer/directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore aren't above having fun with it. As earnest and schmaltzy as it gets, it's never played completely straight. There's always a joke around the corner to prevent it from turning into a Hallmark movie. That being said, whenever "A Bad Moms Christmas" goes for drama, it works.
The film's comedy isn't as consistent as the original (I counted two or three dead spots), hence the 3.5/4 rating. But it misses a perfect 4/4 by a hair. There are far too many scenes that left me roaring with laughter. That's more than enough to ensure a very enthusiastic recommendation. Hopefully this will turn into a franchise (idea for the sequel: the trio takes on summer vacation). Good comedy is rare indeed. Maybe Seth Rogen will learn a thing or two.
Don't miss it!
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, Susan Sarandon, Jay Hernandez, Peter Gallagher, Justin Hartley
Rated R for Crude Sexual Content and Language Throughout, and Some Drug Use
Last year's "Bad Moms" was a breath of fresh comic air. In an age where comedy is apparently watching a bunch of stand-up comedians riff incessantly on the same non-existent joke while trying to be as gross and offensive as possible, watching "Bad Moms" was like finding a lake of crystal clear water in the middle of the Sahara. Unlike "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" or the pair of Seth Rogen monstrosities, the tone-deaf "Sausage Party" and the horror that was "Neighbors 2," "Bad Moms" had an actual script. It was about actual characters and situations, and it had a comic point of view. It was a big hit for those reasons, but mainly because it was absolutely hilarious. Thus, a sequel was made. The question is, can it make magic strike twice? Not quite, but it comes pretty damn close.
Amy (Kunis), Kiki (Bell), and Carla (Hahn) are finding solace together from the stresses of being a mom. But it's the Christmas season, and the need for perfection in all things Christmas is leaving them frazzled. But just when they've resolved to say "fuck it" and let the chips fall as they may, they each get a bombshell: their mothers are coming to visit. Carla's mom Isis (Sarandon) is a gambling junkie who only drops by when she needs money. Kiki's mom Sandy (Hines) is a borderline psycho with serious boundary issues. But Amy fares the worst. Her mother is Ruth (Baranski), a super critical perfectionist who pushes everything to the 11 (and then some). It's a war between the moms for Christmas. And their sanity.
One of the hallmarks of "Bad Moms" and this sequel is that it gave a giant middle finger to the pursuit of perfection. Not only did it accept the fact that no one is perfect, it embraced it. The need to be successful in any pursuit is a universal feeling, as is losing sight of why you're actually doing what you're doing. "Bad Moms" tapped into that in a very real way, and this movie is no different. We can vicariously live through these characters and their rebellion against societal expectations that are impossible to meet. That's why everyone can relate to these movies, mom or not.
But more than some sort of anarchic treatise, "A Bad Moms Christmas" is a comedy, and on that level this movie hits one right out of the park. This movie had me howling. It's filled with great moments, like when the girls get freaky with the mall Santa or when Kiki has surprise visitor in the bedroom (while she's trying to have sex with her husband). The most uproarious sequence is a Sexy Santa contest that gets way out of control. That the movie opens with an exasperated Amy looking at her trashed house as a camel walks by should tell you that this movie will not be labeled as "Capra-esque."
The performances are on target. Kunis, Bell and Hahn are just as hilarious as before, playing the decisive Amy, naive Kiki and bawdy Carla. They're equally matched by their foils. Christine Baranski is perfectly cast as the mother from hell. She's such a bitch that is a wonder that Amy turned out so well-adjusted. Type A does not do this woman justice. Cheryl Hines mixes creepy and funny with almost surgical precision as the uber clingy mother. And Susan Sarandon has no problem playing the politically incorrect Isis. The supporting cast is just fine. Jay Hernandez returns as Amy's impossibly good looking and charming boyfriend Jesse, and "This is Us" star Justin Hartley shows up as a sex bomb with the hots for Carla.
Most Christmas movies have happy endings, and this is no different. That doesn't mean that writer/directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore aren't above having fun with it. As earnest and schmaltzy as it gets, it's never played completely straight. There's always a joke around the corner to prevent it from turning into a Hallmark movie. That being said, whenever "A Bad Moms Christmas" goes for drama, it works.
The film's comedy isn't as consistent as the original (I counted two or three dead spots), hence the 3.5/4 rating. But it misses a perfect 4/4 by a hair. There are far too many scenes that left me roaring with laughter. That's more than enough to ensure a very enthusiastic recommendation. Hopefully this will turn into a franchise (idea for the sequel: the trio takes on summer vacation). Good comedy is rare indeed. Maybe Seth Rogen will learn a thing or two.
Don't miss it!
Comments
Post a Comment