The Family Plan is Apple TV+’s latest example of an old trope… a happy family discovers the mom or dad (or both) had (or has) a secret life as a super spy action hero. This time it’s Mark Wahlberg which seems pretty typical for the sub-genre: hire a guy who always plays action heroes to play a regular dad who is the surprise action hero. News at 11.

This time it’s Wahlberg and the very welcome Michelle Monahan as the average parents to three kids. Wahlberg was an assassin and realizes his cover’s blown so he takes his family on a surprise road trip to safety (in Las Vegas). Much action (and comedy) ensues.

This is a pretty decent one of these movies but offers few surprises. It’s divided into two parts with the first being a cross-country family road trip where Wahlberg keeps secret his identity while being randomly attacked by killers. Call it National Lampoon’s Assassination Vacation. The second half is a more traditional action flick mostly set in a single location. Call it Die Hard: With a Family.

Probably they should have cast a more average actor than Wahlberg to play an everyman boring husband. We know his schtick so casting him just lets him do what he always does. It’s the same issue with Maggie Q in a supporting role. Who are they trying to fool?

This movie could be a solid twenty to thirty minutes shorter and come in a lot snappier and exciting. The road trip portion is ok but familiar, the Vegas segments are ok but familiar. That’s the movie: OK but familiar.

It has some good action scenes including one that at least gives Monahan something to do. It has some pretty good family comedy moments as well. This is a perfect serviceable film that won’t blow your socks off but might be good enough to keep you mildly entertained for about two hours.

Score: 78