Brad (Ferrell) is a sweet guy who only ever wanted children of his own but, sadly, is practically sterile. When he marries Sarah (Linda Carellini; Scooby Doo), he gets almost everything he ever wanted when he becomes stepfather to her two kids. He is the perfect father figure, making their lunches, coaching their basketball team, etc. Unfortunately, Sarah's ex-husband, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg; Ted 2), shows up to sabotage Brad's fairly perfect life and "win" back his family.
Of course, Daddy's Home has everything you would expect from this type of comedy… unrealistic scenarios, inexplicable outcomes, etc. Unfortunately, for a comedy, it wasn't very funny. I counted… I laughed 3 times during the whole film. Anyone expecting the hilarity of Wahlberg's other comedies, Ted and TED 2, will be sorely disappointed.
Wahlberg and Carellini do a decent job and Thomas Haden Church (Sideways) as Brad's Boss, Leo, has a few of the more humorous moments in the film, but those are few and far between. The actors playing the kids are cute enough, but don't add much to the funny factor. A delightful minor role played by Hannibal Buress (Neighbors), as Griff, is one of the few saving graces of the film.
Maybe I'm biased because I don't especially like Ferrell, but I found him more annoying than funny and, frankly, I silently cheered every time his character had a mishap on screen. I thought Brad needed to be slapped across the room almost every time he opened his mouth, but maybe that was what director Sean Anders (Horrible Bosses 2) was going for. If so, he succeeded!
With so many great movies coming out this time of year, audiences would be better served spending their money on one of the more big budget (Star Wars) or high drama (Hateful 8, Concussion) offerings to spend their money.
As a PG-13 rating, this film was not kid friendly and my 13 year old sat next to me cringing so I wouldn't recommend taking the family to this one. In fact, wait until it comes to Netflix to catch this movie because after one sitting you will have had more than enough.
Grade: C- (but only because I'm in a Holiday spirit kind of mood)
