Entertainment

'Daddy's Home' Reunites An Unlikely Comedy Duo

by Dino-Ray Ramos

When The Other Guys, a comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, came out in 2010, I don't think I was the only one that thought it was a bizarre pairing. Ferrell is an iconic comedic actor, and when I see him, I can't help but think of the mustachioed Ron Burgundy or any of his characters on Saturday Night Live. Wahlberg, meanwhile, is typically a dramatic star known for his furrowed brow seriousness, and pairing them seemed to disrupt the natural order of comedy. Yet for some odd reason, it worked, so well that they're collaborating again in the movie, Daddy's Home. Ferrell and Wahlberg, as a pair, are an unlikely comedy duo that seems wrong, but actually makes perfect sense when you see them in action. It's like mixing salty and sweet or eating peanut butter and Oreos. It's weird when you first hear about it, but when you try it, you want more.

In the trailer for Daddy's Home, out Dec. 25, it's clear that Ferrell and Wahlberg's characters aren't too far from the ones they played in The Other Guys. Ferrell stars as Brad, nerdy and domestic, while Wahlberg plays Dusty, the tough guy who can barely crack a smile. Dusty is the father of Brad's stepkids, and when the men meet for the first time, the competitive dad hilariously comes out in the both of them.

The dynamic duo of Ferrell and Wahlberg isn't the first time that an unlikely pair has struck comedy gold. Check out these collabs that made many do a double take at first, but turned out to be the perfect decision in the end.

1. Channing Tatum And Jonah Hill In 21 Jump Street

The hunky dude from Magic Mike paired with the funnyman from Superbad? It might have seemed odd, but it worked out so well that they decided to have another go at it in 22 Jump Street.

2. Kevin Hart And Will Ferrell In Get Hard

Get Hard showed that Ferrell can team up with anybody and make a successful comedy. He and comedy superstar Kevin Hart were perfect as a fraudulent millionaire and the fake ex-con that is training him for prison.

3. Sandra Bullock And Melissa McCarthy In The Heat

There aren't that many female buddy cop movies, so when these A-list actresses were paired for the Paul Feig-directed film, no one knew what to expect. The result was absolutely great, and proof that more female-led comedies need to happen.

4. Bill Murray And Jaeden Lieberher In St. Vincent

In this dramedy, Murray plays a rude, crotchety man who could care less about anyone else. Lieberher plays the new kid in town who is bullied at school and lacks the confidence to fight back. When the two meet, it's the best dysfunctional mentor/mentee relationship you'll ever see in a movie.

5. Chris Tucker And Jackie Chan In Rush Hour

Who would have thought that pairing a comedy superstar with a martial arts legend in a buddy cop movie would result in one of the most successful (and frequently quoted) franchises in pop culture history? Together, Tucker and Chan were funny, emotional and had a genuine bond that has yet to be duplicated on screen. I think it's about time they start working on Rush Hour 4.

I guess it really is true when they say "opposites attract" — and make comedy gold.

Image: Paramount Pictures/Patti Peret