‘The Family Plan’ a family friendly comedy, with action

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 58 minutes

Dan Morgan is a used car salesman with a family and wife, living in Buffalo, New York. He’s gotten into a bit of a routine, which he’s become comfortable with, but his wife Jessica wants something to shake things up. Little does she know, Dan has a secret. 

When he realizes he’s being followed and a couple of people try to attack him, Dan takes his family on a cross-country trip to Las Vegas where he plans to reveal who he is really is ... or was. This action-filled comedy is a fast-moving adventure that I enjoyed.

“The Family Plan” stars Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, Zoe Colletti, Van Crosby, Iliana Norris, Vienna Norris, Maggie Q, Ciaran Hinds and Said Taghmaoui.

Used car salesman, Dan (Wahlberg) has a less-than-excited family of three kids and wife, Jessica (Monaghan). Dan and Jessica are celebrating their 18th anniversary.

Jessica tells Dan he is a creature of habit and wishes the family was more spontaneous and traveled more. She feels trapped and wishes their lives were bigger.

When Dan backs down from a confrontation, he later feels bad about it.

While at the grocery store, Dan gets in another confrontation, but this time he doesn’t back down.

As it turns out, Dan is not who he says he is. He doesn’t want to let his family in on his true identity. He gets a call from past-associate Augie (Taghmaoui) and Dan tells him to meet him in Las Vegas in three days.

As it turns out, Dan’s kids, Nina and Kyle (Colletti and Crosby) aren’t doing what they say they are.

Dan is being followed again but outsmarts them.

He frees his family from the shackles of technology with the flick of his wrist.

Back at his home, someone is looking for him.

Despite all the people following Dan, this trip slowly brings the family together.

Nina gets revenge on a cheating boyfriend. A laser tag game between Dan and Kyle helps them learn about each other.

“You conned me; you’re a laser tag savant,” said Kyle.

“No, I was a kid in the 80s,” said Dan.

Despite this, Dan still hasn’t told his family his secret. He tries to at dinner, but struggles.

Dan and Jessica are attacked in a Las Vegas hotel room, and now Dan has to come clean.

Dan tells them they cannot go back to Buffalo. The family gets upset.

Jessica will take the kids and is leaving first thing in the morning. Jessica meets Dan’s ex-girlfriend who holds the family captive.

More secrets are revealed, and decisions need to be made.

This movie is action-packed, but not bloody. It’s fast paced and has twists and turns at many corners. It’s very fun and sincere. One of my favorite things about this movie were baby Max’s reactions and facial expressions, especially during the supermarket scene. It carries the message that regardless of how lame you think they might be, family is important and will be there to support you. It reminded me that if you feel you’re stuck in a rut, it’s never too late to do what you want and be who you want. This one is a winner, Marky Mark.

Two disposable cameras up.

Available on Apple TV+. <