Festive fun in short supply

Daddy’s Home 2 (12) ●● ●●●

With John Lithgow and Mel Gibson joining the returning Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, hopes were high for this festive-set follow-up.

But what should have been a quality comedy quartet are hampered by silly, needless sub-plots and an overload of mean-spirited dialogue.

It’s no worse than its predecessor, though, and there are a few chuckles.

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (15) ●●● ●●

Annette Bening and Jamie Bell may not be an obvious pairing, but the duo share sparkling chemistry as old flames reunited.

Pleasingly the film doesn’t dwell on their age-gap and instead spends its time framing their touching bond.

Sadly, director Paul McGuigan overdoes the sentimentality during the climax.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (15) ●● ●●●

With Gal Gadot doing a sterling job of bringing the iconic heroine to life on the big screen, now is as good a time as any to celebrate all things Wonder Woman.

However, though this look behind the character’s creation is fascinating and well-acted, it’s ultimately illadvised. The subject matter pushes the envelope but Angela Robinson plays it all too safe; especially as she was given dramatic licence to embellish some of the drama.

Luke Evans doesn’t possess enough old school charisma as the titular professor and Rebecca Hall and Bella Heathcote are rarely better than solid.

A lot of the visuals feel cheesy and all this tonally uneven drama does is make you pine for Gadot kicking butt.