​FILMS

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: (Family/Comedy): 65 out of 100: Here's another children's movie based on a book and this time around, it's a very short movie because the book only has 32 pages. It's about a 12 year old boy (Ed Oxenbould) who feels that everything bad happens to him and he wishes that his family could feel like he does. The next day after thinking this, everything seems to turn out for the worse for his entire family.

Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner play the parents and they are likeable without being memorable in their roles. Being the professionals that they are, they simply cruise along. Oxenbould is an Australian and does a great job of speaking with an American accent. He acts solidly as the unhappy, ignored sibling.

It was great to have the Australian flavour included in the plot as Alexander loves all things Australian. There are some funny gags involving Australian themes although there are limited chances to have a really good laugh. It is more of a film that will make you smile. There is an amusing cameo appearance featuring Dick Van Dyke but the humour doesn't really extend beyond these scenes.

You won't be bored with the movie because there are enough entertaining scenes to keep you interested. However, it's not the most memorable family film ever made and it's not one that has to be seen on the big screen. The kids will enjoy this movie although there is a penis joke that parents should be wary of.

Starring Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner and Ed Oxenbould
(81 minutes)
Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits there are scenes of the happy partygoers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_dideF5qvk (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Thursday 4th December, 2014)