HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 (Rated R)

Where comedy is involved, sequels are often not the most desired approach.

As a prime example, “The Hangover,” outrageously funny, would have been best served had a franchise never been attempted.

The first sequel, arguably passable, made way for another that was, by most accounts, either completely unnecessary or just plain dreadful.

Going against the grain is “Horrible Bosses 2,” a followup effort that would seem to lack promise, only because the trio of victimized workers (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis), who proved to be hilariously idiotic, are reunited for nearly similar challenges.

“Horrible Bosses 2” has a different twist in that the three office drones have morphed into entrepreneurs, even though their understanding of starting and sustaining their own business enterprise is lacking fundamental knowledge and experience necessary for monetary success.

What’s working right now for the “Horrible Bosses” franchise is that the hapless trio of Nick (Bateman), Dale (Day) and Kurt (Sudeikis) are not just unbelievably dense but they have to cope with an adversary worthy of the grief provided by their former horrible employers (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston).

Having invented a showerhead that dispenses soap, shampoo and conditioner, they find they have a winner with this unique bathroom product known as the “Shower Buddy,” but they still require start-up financing to launch a production facility.

Enter savvy investor and business tycoon Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz) and his psychotic son Rex (Chris Pine), both of whom are schemers, but not necessarily in sync with each other.

Hanson the senior offers $500,000 and an initial order to be processed through his catalog business.

On good faith, Nick, Kurt and Dale rent warehouse space and hire a crew of inexperienced workers.

Kurt, easily distracted by any form of female beauty, hires every pretty girl who shows up for an interview. And yet, the newly-minted businessmen manage to deliver their first batch of showerheads as promised.

The unscrupulous Bert Hanson reneges on his promise for funding so that he can take over their company for pennies on the dollar.

But Bert didn’t count on the criminal minds that are once again willing to team up with underworld advisor MF Jones (Jamie Foxx), a mastermind almost as inept as his clients.

Our trio of hapless heroes knows something about dealing with deceitful operators, having clumsily conspired but not actually succeeding to murder their bosses in the first film.

Kevin Spacey makes a delightful return as Nick’s former employer Dave Harken, now incarcerated.

His brief appearances, punctuated by profane and sadistic rants, during prison visits by the trio seeking expert business advice are priceless and what you might expect from an unhinged horrible boss.

The old friends conspire to kidnap the obnoxious Rex in order to seek a ransom at least for the amount of money owed by the insidious Bert Hanson.

Meanwhile, Rex, not as insipid as he appears, turns the tables by convincing the guys that they can up the ante and turn a windfall.

During the hostage stage, the chemistry between Nick, Dale and Kurt comes comically into play. The three of them bicker as if they were “The Three Stooges,” which is not a farfetched notion. Their incompetence is staggering and overwhelming, resulting in plenty of laughs.

Not a genius by any stretch, Nick is the most rational member of the group who wisely frets about consequential actions. The whiny-voiced Dale is constantly in panic mode, usually acting illogically.

Stuck in the muddled middle, Kurt often facilitates Dale’s nonsense when he’s not preoccupied with eyeballing attractive women. 

That these guys are so easily manipulated is also cause for the comic mayhem.

Jennifer Aniston’s return as the sex-addict dentist, who sexually harassed her former dental assistant Dale, offers some very funny moments when she targets Nick as her newest victim.

“Horrible Bosses 2” adheres to the lowbrow comedy formula that worked quite well the first time around.

In the most basic terms, if you liked the first “Horrible Bosses” chances are you will feel the same way about this sequel.

For one thing, I approached “Horrible Bosses 2” with caution, fearing it would ruin favorable memories.

Well, that didn’t happen, because it’s wacky fun to watch Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis bumbling through the plot, while bringing some fresh material to the basic storyline.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.