Movie Review: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

MPAA Rating: PG  |  My Grade: B

Evangeline and I needed some alone time recently when the move and the new baby was causing her to cry daily (and me too, frankly).  With the grandparents visiting we had the perfect chance to catch a Saturday matinee of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

My expectations were pretty low.  It does have two great actors that I enjoy, Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner, but it's also a kids' movie....so...based on other Disney kid movies of late I anticipated wanting to gouge my eyes out half way through (I'm talking to YOU, Teen Beach Movie).

I was pleasantly surprised.  No, it wasn't the most clever, hilarious or amazing kids' movie ever, but it was pretty good.  There were some really funny lines and not too much negative imitative behaviors displayed by lead characters (kids in TV shows and movies who are rude to their parents, siblings and friends drive me crazy!).  The kids in this movie are all respectful towards adults and their peers, while not seeming completely unrealistic either.  I also really enjoyed that the actors who played the children in the film were not all physically Hollywood-perfectly-perfect-plastic-doll-children.  They looked like real kids.

I will say that this doesn't seem to be a film for kids under 7 or 8 years of age. Not that there's anything inappropriate in it, but because it would just be over their head. The problems that befall the family in this film are a bit more than your average prat-falls.  Blowing an important job interview, getting a zit, taking too much cold medicine.  Younger children may not understand these issues.  Evangeline (who is almost 8 years old) enjoyed the movie, but didn't really laugh, although I did.

The overall theme of the film and the way the family handles their bad day has a good lesson for kids AND adults.  I would recommend this film for all ages from 7 or 8 years old and up.