Mr. Movie: ‘Daddy’s Home’ is deadly dull
Will Ferrell is Brad. His wife’s ex — played by Mark Wahlberg — returns from a long absence. He’s buff, hip and a real threat to Brad’s happy home. But the ultra-positive Brad can’t call it like it is and invites the ex to move in with obvious but unfunny consequences.
This is pure formula. When he plays it straight and lets the humor flow, Ferrell isn’t bad. But when he’s silly, like here or in Get Hard and a dozen other equally bad movies, Ferrell is at his worst.
And in Daddy’s Home, Ferrell is as bad as he’s ever been. That makes you feel pretty bad for his cast mates Mark Wahlberg, who co-stars with Ferrell a second time (The Good Guys was the first), the sometimes good Thomas Haden Church, the terrific Bobby Cannavale, and newcomer Linda Cardellini.
One of the worst movies of the year. Period.
Next week Mr. Movie looks at 2015 in movies — the good and the bad. Find it www.tricityherald.com.
‘Daddy’s Home’
Director: Sean Anders
Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church, Bobby Cannavale
Mr. Movie rating: 1 star
Rated PG-13 for very mature themes. It’s playing at the Carmike 12, the Fairchild Cinemas 12, Fairchild’s Queensgate 12 and at Walla Walla Grand Cinemas.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Mr. Movie: ‘Daddy’s Home’ is deadly dull."