Before I get to my review of “Horrible Bosses 2” I would like to take a quick minute to talk about something that is about as far from horrible as it is possible to get. The first trailer for “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” was released in select theaters and online over the holiday weekend. This 88 seconds of footage is pure magic and is exactly what a teaser trailer should be. We’re reintroduced to a galaxy far, far away that we know and love and are introduced to the next generation of heroes that will lead us through episodes VII, VIII and IX. While the stars of the original trilogy, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, who will star in Episode VII were absent from this first look, we were treated to breathtaking shot of the Millennium Falcon, in all its glory.

I admit to being a card-carrying “Star Wars” fanboy and am proud of it. I was excited and hopeful for this movie before this briefest of glimpses; but now I can barely contain myself. Mark my words, 2015 and 2016 will be long remembered in the annals of film history and “The Force Awakens” will rest in its rightful place atop the highest pinnacle, borne on the shoulders of long-time fans and new converts alike.

Watch it HERE.

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To quote my own review of “Dumb and Dumber To”: “Too often comedy sequels try to up the ante and end up not only evolving the story but also evolving the style of comedy.” That comedy sequel sin, which “Dumb and Dumber To” so deftly avoided, is exactly what mires “Horrible Bosses 2.”

The first “Horrible Bosses” movie had a wonderful blend of characters and an opportunity-rich plot that yielded comedic fruit. “Horrible Bosses 2” tries to cut corners and endlessly copies the best moments from the first film to the point that the original DNA gets diluted and corrupted. The pleasing cadence from the first film is dropped for a high-octane, all-funny, all-the-time pace that is actually a little tiring. Well over a third of this film is stuffed with an almost inaudible barrage of multiple characters talking and bickering at once. There are strong comedic moments to be found in that type of writing, but it is very overused in “Horrible Bosses 2” and is subtractive where it was meant to be additive.

Furthermore, the great “buddy comedy” vibe from the first film is much harder to find or express in the sequel due to the blending of the characters. The first film saw a different approach and rhythm from each of the three leads, Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. This disappointing follow-up has Sudeikis, and to a lesser extend Bateman, channeling Charlie Day to a ridiculous degree, which is an unfortunate over-saturation and miscalculation.

Newcomers Chris Pine and Christoph Waltz, both favorites of mine, are powerful names and strong actors to add to a burgeoning comedy franchise that, quite frankly, doesn’t deserve them. Pine’s natural charisma and charm play well within his given role; but Waltz, whom many, myself included, would consider one of the great actors of our time. is utterly wasted.

There are a few laughs to be had with “Horrible Bosses 2,” but I would strongly recommend renting the original and watching the “Star Wars” trailer on repeat before going to the theatre for this mess.

3 of 6 stars

The biggest problem with “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” is that it should not be a film. Here are the lengths of the final books of well-known Young Adult novels: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” -197,651 words, “Breaking Dawn” from the “Twilight” series – 192,196 words, and “Mockingjay” the concluding novel of “The Hunger Games” trilogy – 100,269 words. For context, the much revered novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” clocks in at 99,121 words. While I admit that I have not yet read “The Hunger Games” novels, a book the length of “To Kill a Mockingbird” has no business being more than one movie. The decision to split it in two was undoubtedly a business decision; which is unfortunate, because good business far too often gets in the way of good art.

Serving as the third of four films, “Mockingjay” suffers very notably as an extended set-up piece. The rebellion that has been brewing under the surface over the “Hunger Games” movies finally came to a head at the end of “Catching Fire,” which is, by far, my favorite entry in the series. Calamitous events transpired and the war against the oppressive Capitol had finally begun. Enter “Mockingjay” and an hour-long restart to a war that should have already been in progress. Regardless of how well “Mockingjay – Part 1” syncs to the first half of the novel “Mockingjay,” there are extended pieces that feel bloated.

There’s a strong comparison to be made to how different ages of people eat the cereal Lucky Charms. When I was a kid, I thought I had it all figured out. I would eat all of the cereal first and save all of the marshmallows for the end, which is the strategy that the producers of “Mockingjay” must have employed. When I eat Lucky Charms now, which is still delicious by the way, I mix the marshmallows in with every bite that way there’s an even balance and I don’t waste half of my bowl of cereal choking down bland, marshmallow-“ess cereal in a misguided attempt to make a second half that is marshmallow-packed. Much like two part movies dividing set up and pay off by a full year in an effort to sell double the tickets.

“Mockingjay’s” place in the universe notwithstanding, it does have its moments. It toys with interesting ideas about revolution, freedom and the tortured souls that often shift the world between the two. Jennifer Lawrence and the rest of the cast perform admirably; however, a cast of this magnitude comes to the table with truly outstanding films under its collective belt. That being the case, it’s not hard to imagine that they weren’t overly challenged by “Mockingjay.”

While I have great disdain for “Mockingjay’s” business decisions, I did not dislike the film as a piece of art and I look forward to seeing it finally completed next year.

4 of 6 stars