Daddy's Home - Review

Written By: Travis Lantto

Step Dad and radio host, Brad Whitaker tries his best to win over his kids when unexpectedly the kids biological father returns and makes Brads attempts all the more feeble.   Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg deliver a straight forward family friendly comedy that mostly delivers.

Brad Whitaker (Will Ferrel) plays a new step father and husband to Linda played by Linda Cardellini (Freaks And Geeks). Brad is trying his best to have a relationship with the kids and be there for them. All he really wants is to be called Dad and be accepted by them.  Suddenly after a phone call from the elusive biological father Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) tells their son that he's coming home to visit.  Dusty who is the complete opposite of Brad and is a biker bad ass.  Brad picks up Dusty at the airport and later finds out after the family heads to bed Dusty's true intentions to win back his family. Naturally after this it's game on and the comedy ensues after they each try to prove they are the best father figure for the family.

Director Sean Anders brings Wahlberg and Ferrell back together for the first time since their work on The Other Guys.  I really enjoyed that film so when I heard Ferrell and Wahlberg were doing another movie together I got excited.  Wahlberg and Ferrells natural comedic chemistry on screen together is apparent here again and makes for some enjoyable laughs.  They do a very good job of balancing both comedy and heartfelt family fun that makes this film enjoyable.

This film is primarily about the role of Fatherhood which is why this film feels very comfortable as family entertainment.  I felt like this film could have easily made the PG rating instead of PG-13 because the family friendly comedy seemed almost a little out of place for Wahlberg.  This movie sets out what it's trying to accomplish however it may not be completely original or the best comedy of the year.

While it is fun to see Whalberg and Ferrell on screen again the movie plays it safe and doesn't try anything new or bring any fresh ideas to the table.  However in my opinion I feel like it works to bring a family friendly comedy to the masses that everyone of all ages can enjoy.

Final Score 3 / 5