Review ‘Horrible Bosses 2’ From The Editor

The sequel to the popular “Horrible Bosses” doesn’t just do humor. It runs wild with every perceived notion you’ve ever held about a comedy. You want a bad guy? How about Christoph Waltz showing the empathy of Scrooge and with a heart so black Maleficent would blush.

(The original one, not the kneecapped newer version.) You want clueless protagonists who somehow always manage to land on their feet (even if they fall much, much further first)? Throw in Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. You really can’t get much better than that. You want your obligatory squirm-inducing sex scenes? Just add a sex-crazed, boundary-free Jennifer Aniston.

The “Horrible Bosses” trio is back and they are once again the victims of the wealthy. Nick (Jason Bateman), Kirk (Jason Sudeikis), and Dale (Charlie Day), are their own bosses after inventing The Shower Buddy. Their creation is a shower companion that dispenses shampoo to help make your shower quick and easy.

The Shower Buddy captures the attention of the rich and powerful Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz) and his son Rex (Chris Pine). The Hanson’s place an order for 100,000 units, but cancel as soon as the products are ready.

Hanson’s plan is for the company to go bankrupt so that he can buy it on the cheap. Refusing to give up, Nick, Kirk, and Dale must think of a way to save their company and consult with their old pal MotherF- Jones (Jamie Foxx). It’s a pretty ridiculous plot, but “Horrible Bosses 2” is so hilarious that we let its mistakes slide (though the same can’t be said for Bill Cosby).

Bascially, “HB2” works its butt off to be as cynical and disdaining as possible at its own expense. For the most part, it works famously.

Having hit paydirt, our newly empowered entrepreneurs start busting out the units (and hiring every unqualified, good-looking woman around, thanks to Kurt’s nonsense). But, such good vibes can’t continue in a movie called “Horrible Bosses.” Turns out the Hansons aren’t generous benefactors wanting to inspire those chasing the American Dream. Instead, Burt is after their business in its entirety, and he’s about three days away from making it happen.

This leaves Nick, Kurt and Dale with few options to retain their business. The one they settle on: kidnapping, of course. And not just any kidnapping. They’re going after Rex to force Burt to pay a ransom.

Hilarity ensues. We’re talking obscene, filthy, raunchy hilarity. “Idiotic” would be kind here. Our would-be criminals stumble along from one botched plan to the next, using their luck and unassuming charm to save them from themselves. (It doesn’t hurt that our leads each are charming and hilarious, having honed their art in everything from “Arrested Development” to “Saturday Night Live.”)

The chemistry between Bateman, Sudeikis, and Day is hysterical. You can tell that these three actors (and the entire cast, for that matter) are having a blast on set and part of what makes “Horrible Bosses 2” great is that the cast genuinely wants to be there. Most of the humor comes from the trio and we rarely (if at all) see them apart.

Christoph Waltz deserved more scenes as the villain. And Chris Pine in a comedy? Not too shabby. Pine perfectly portrays the rich-jerk role. Some of the best scenes are from Pine; you’ll love to hate his character. Besides Foxx, Jennifer Aniston also returns to reprise her role as Julia, the now proud sex-addict.

In the end, “Horrible Bosses 2” is loud, outrageous and offensive in just about every way. It drops the “Fight the Man!” mentality of the first film and instead concocts an idiot’s paradise where well laid-out plans go horribly wrong at the drop of a hat — and you’ll laugh, each and every time. You won’t be proud of yourself.

“Horrible Bosses 2” is rated R for strong crude sexual content and language throughout. Running time is approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes. “Horrible Bosses 2” is in theaters today.