Review of Office Christmas Party (2016) by Marcel A — 18 Dec 2016

The title of this raunchy ensemble comedy pretty much spells it out for you: tasked with impressing a potential client whose business would spare their branch from closure, Jason Bateman, T.J. Miller and Olivia Munn throw a morale-boosting holiday bash for their eccentric, horny co-workers despite the protests of the company's intermediate CEO (a deliciously spiteful Jennifer Aniston).

Naturally, the event quickly gets out of hand, leading to all kinds of R-rated shenanigans and a few limp attempts at earnestness. While undeniably fun in spurts (and blessed with the scene-stealing antics of SNL's Kate McKinnon), something feels a little off here.

None of the script's comedic set pieces seem to pay off, each fizzling out of steam before moving onto the next one. Delivering more chuckles than genuine bellylaughs, 'Office Christmas Party' is the movie equivalent of a coked-up party guest: it's got jittery energy to spare but is seriously lacking in focus, leaving you feeling a little exhausted merely by being in their presence.