Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are known as comedic gold due to their hilarious chemistry in Daddy’s Home – but this wasn’t always the case.
Ferrell has always been praised for his comedy, but Wahlberg was known as the serious straight man. Ten years ago, director Adam McKay noticed the actors’ chemistry during a random dinner and completely changed Wahlberg’s image by creating the buddy cop film The Other Guys.
In The Other Guys, Ferrell and Wahlberg play two mismatched New York City detectives who seize an opportunity to step up like the cops they idolise, but things don’t go as planned. Ferrell’s character is a nonsensical police accountant and Wahlberg is the streetwise detective. They stumble upon a scaffolding permit violation that turns into a huge case in which they must prove themselves as New York’s finest.
Expect cheesy laughs, but delivered properly. The Other Guys isn’t your typical buddy cop film, as it cleverly satirises many of the over the top tropes in the genre. Honestly, the best part of the movie is Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson being the exaggerated versions of badass cops with all the ridiculous tropes to go along with it.
Everyone in this film definitely brings their A-grade material in regards to the humour. Ferrell and Wahlberg are the perfect comedic duo that could easily be compared to icons such as Laurel and Hardy. They provide endless laughs with their dialogue and delivery, with even the subtlest forehead crease from Wahlberg evokes his frustrations with Ferrell’s character. Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan and Eva Mendes are outstanding in their supporting roles delivering both comedy and heart with their perfect timing.
The Other Guys starts and ends with action showing off some amazing sequences. There’s an intense opening car chase, an office building shootout and an action-packed final standoff that are just so fun to watch. The blend of comedy and action go together so well to make a film that’s thoroughly enjoyable. It manages to never lose its tone whilst avoiding becoming an overblown spoof.
Sure, The Other Guys has a few weaker moments as Ferrell can be a little too much at times. These moments only happen on a few occasions, but Wahlberg is the much-needed relief in these scenes. Other than that, it’s an amusing and captivating film. The film doesn’t rely on dated references and holds up perfectly ten years later. If you’re looking for a smart comedy full of a few silly moments, then The Other Guys is one you should check out.
By Charlie Vogelsang
Feature image: Empire