FAMILY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
Brad (Will Ferrell) is trying to be a good stepfather, but faces tough competition from the children’s biological dad, a brawny ex-soldier (Mark Wahlberg). The two stars had fun together in The Other Guys (2010), so there was reason to expect them to carry this family-friendly comedy. They make their stereotypes come alive, but there isn’t a character (adult or child) in the movie who behaves like a normal person. What we get is wild but predictable slapstick. Still, the disarming climactic dance unexpectedly breaks the formula.
2015-U.S. 96 min. Color. Directed by Sean Anders. Cast: Will Ferrell (Brad Whitaker), Mark Wahlberg (Dusty Mayron), Linda Cardellini (Sara Whitaker), Scarlett Estevez, Owen Vaccaro, Thomas Haden Church… Bobby Cannavale, John Cena.
Trivia: Co-produced by Ferrell and Adam McKay. Vince Vaughn and Ed Helms were reportedly first considered for lead roles. Followed by Daddy’s Home Two (2017).Â
