​FILMS

daddy's home

Not exactly a home run but still enjoyable to see by yourself, with Daddy or anyone else for that matter.

2016 review number 3:

Daddy's Home: (Comedy): 68 out of 100: This is the second film together for Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg following 2010's The Other Guys and like that film, there is genuine chemistry between the two. There is some crude humour as expected from a Will Ferrell movie but thankfully not enough to deter you from seeing it with your family. There are moments that don't work with the humour falling flat but the funny scenes that do succeed compensate for them.

 

Brad (Will Ferrell), a mild-mannered radio executive, is trying his best to win over his stepkids, Megan (Scarlett Estevez) and Dylan (Owen Vaccaro). Sara (Linda Cardellini) loves him but it's taking her kids a while to accept him as their new dad. Just when he thinks that they have bonded with him, their biological father, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg), comes along and tries to win back his family. Brad will do anything to ensure that he doesn't lose Megan, Dylan and Sara to him.

 

If you're not a Will Ferrell fan then nothing that he does in this movie will convert you. It's the typical Ferrell comedy with slapstick, overacting at times, dirty jokes and a touch of sentimentality. However, if you do appreciate his brand of humour, you will be rewarded with some hilarious moments accentuating his gullible and paranoid personality that he seems to project in most of his movies. Wahlberg plays the straight man and now has quite a few comedies in his resume including the Ted series, demonstrating that he is adept in his tough guy roles along with his comedic performances. And for those who love his body, he manages to take off his shirt in a few scenes! The children who play the kids are more of those child actors that roll off the Hollywood assembly line and provide the cuteness factor.

 

Although the movie mainly plays for laughs, there are some heartwarming scenes that illustrate the need for family networks. That's why it could be considered a family film if you can ignore several crude moments. The general theme is worth discussing after viewing with younger family members. The occasional schmaltzy scenes can be overlooked if you're prepared to enjoy the overall presentation of the movie.

 

Sean Anders is the director and co-writer and he has been responsible for films such as Horrible Bosses 2, That's My Boy and Sex Drive. If you have seen those movies then you'll know what to expect from this one although the crude humour is in smaller doses. Ignore the mainly negative reviews Daddy's Home has received and enjoy this as fun and often hilarious entertainment.

 

Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini and Thomas Haden Church

(96 mins)

Parental advice: Coarse language and sexual references

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaE49iAZW-M (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Wednesday 6th January, 2016)

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