Rowan Atkinson returns with Man vs Baby, a new festive comedy on Netflix that aims to capture Christmas spirit through slapstick humor. However, this follow-up to Man vs Bee struggles to deliver the sharp physical comedy audiences expect from Atkinson’s iconic work.
In Man vs Baby, Atkinson reprises his role as Trevor Bingley, a single father and hapless caretaker who finds himself looking after an abandoned infant during the holiday season. Set in a quaint English village, the show leans heavily into traditional Christmas tropes, including a local nativity play reminiscent of Love Actually. Unfortunately, the storyline quickly veers into implausible and overly sentimental territory, reducing much of the comedy to feel trite and predictable.
Unlike its predecessor, which mixed zany antics with a sympathetic backstory for Bingley, this series portrays him as surprisingly competent in child care. Critics note that slapstick moments are sparse and replaced by cloying warmth and exaggerated festive cheer. The character’s odd baby-care methods, such as using a cork in place of a dummy, come across as eccentric but lack the chaotic energy that once defined Atkinson’s comedic style.
Product placement also draws attention, with Cadbury’s Heroes chocolates prominently featured throughout the show. However, even this marketing choice fails to save the series from its lackluster pacing and overly cozy vibe. The subplot involving a squatting family in the penthouse building feels forced and distracts from the main narrative’s weak momentum.
The show attempts to add intrigue by hinting at a dark mystery surrounding the baby’s origins and its possible connection to local residents. Yet, this element is quickly dismissed with an implausible deus ex machina, leaving viewers without the satisfying payoff or darker thematic exploration.
Overall, Man vs Baby offers a mild dose of Christmas cheer but misses the bold, socially subversive humor that Rowan Atkinson fans once adored. The series is a safe, sanitized approach to holiday comedy, lacking the edge and physical comedy that made Atkinson a household name. It is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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