There's little Christmas cheer on offer in Big Momma's House 2 director John Whitesell's mean-spirited and largely unfunny sleigh ride through seasonal cliché. Uptight yuletide fanatic Matthew Broderick finds his Mr Christmas title challenged by new happy-go-lucky neighbour Danny DeVito, whose ambition is to decorate his house with so many fairy lights it can be seen via satellite. Ludicrously childish one-upmanship ensues, culminating in an ice-skating race, until the cosy goodwill ending. The more tedious jokes concern a spitting camel in the live-animal Nativity scene, a runaway "reindeer" and flaming pine trees. Awkward pacing, wayward comic timing and jarring changes in tone, from stupid to sentimental, don't help the short-supply laughs. But the colourful winter wonderland settings and adept performances keep boredom at bay - especially from Wicked Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth as DeVito's spouse, who sparkles continuously and sings the closing carol.