In this the second collaboration between Wahlberg and Ferrell, “Daddy’s Home” gives us Brad Whitaker (Will Ferrell), a mild-mannered radio executive who is trying his damndest to become the best stepdad to his new wife Sara’s (Linda Cardenelli) two children. But some big complications are coming his way when their fun, free-wheeling, free-loading real father Dusty Mayron (Mark Wahlberg) arrives, forcing Brad to compete for the affection of the kids.
At this point is of course where the fun starts as father and step-father challenge and begin competing with one another for the love of their children for the position of being called “Dad”.
The film spends its first ten minutes working to establish Brad as a character, as the over-eager, almost irritatingly, sincere step-father who found himself left impotent after a dental mishap. In contrast, we have Dusty Mayron. Dusty is Sara’s ex-husband and the biological father to Brad’s two step-children. Dusty is an eccentric larger-than-life type of guy, basically the walking and talking embodiment of all of Brad’s insecurities he seems to swagger around with his own soundtrack of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck playing in the background.
Sara is the mother who watches as both these men in her life engage in a rapidly escalating game of one-upmanship to win the love of her children and while she is completely wise to what is going on and doesn’t try to stop it, she plays against neither character.
The supporting cast – The wonderfully accented fertility specialist Dr. Francisco (Bobby Canavale); Thomas Haden Church as Leo Holt, Brad’s boss, is as always sheer comedy gold. Taking me back to his WINGS days here with his delivery of stories and one-liners. And the man who seriously MUST re-consider his lively-hood in the pro-wrestling arena and become the hysterical supporting actor in every comedy film made.. John Cena. Hannibal Buress as Griff, the handyman extraordinaire, all do well, but director Sean Anders does struggle somewhat to keep the laughs coming.
While I had a few really good belly laughs at this one – take note- it’s not a kids movie as even the littliest of kids swears some, it’s PG-13 rating is true to form here. All in all, Daddy’s Home has a solid premise and a talented cast. It just doesn’t manage to do much with either.
Grade: C-
@pegsatthemovies
Review Screening: Saturday, December 19, 2015 ~ Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Nationwide release: Friday, December 25, 2015
Peggy at the Movies 
As usual, you have written another great post 🙂 Will Ferrell has been in some great stuff (i.e. The Lego Movie) and some good stuff (i.e. Elf), but again, I have not seen this so I will have to wait to see it to form an opinion on it.
I just replied back to your reply on my site 🙂 My reply talks about some known filmmakers who have been influenced by filmmaker Michael Powell’s visual style.
And once again have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and may all of your dreams and wishes come true 🙂 Keep up the great work as always 🙂
I liked this more than you! Slow start (kind of like Sisters), but picks up after about 20 minutes. Ferrell and Wahlberg are a winning combo. Great review though!
running over to read your review!! I did like this one tho..a C- is not a bad grade!!! it gave a few good laughs..but wasn’t as good as some out this year is all! 😀 and it’s so not a kids movie yet my screening was on a Sat at 10am for parents & their ‘kids of all ages’ soooo.. 🙂
I wasn’t even going to write a review for this because I found the movie to be a most unpleasant experience. However, it’s become too big of a hit to ignore. I’ll post a review this week. “Fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy night!” 😉
I saw worse this year.. ha! I did just love Thomas Haden Church in it .. but yeah..it could’ve been so much more.. ah well.. 🙂
Easily the worst I saw in 2015. Here’s why: http://bit.ly/1PNZvUU
I feel like I read that already.. your review did make me laugh I must say..maybe more than the movie! 🙂