Review of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014) by Kevin B — 20 Jul 2015

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a family film through and through. In a lot of ways, it works for the film, but it also keeps it from being anything special because you know how things will play out.

The film follows a kid who, on the eve of his birthday, makes a wish that his family can experience one day of the horribleness that he goes through everyday. The primary cast is pretty good, with Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner giving the most honest performances.

That isn't to say that the kids are terrible, they just overact a lot, which gets grating towards the end. The film moves pretty swiftly, bouncing from one gag to the next, but it is the quieter moments with Carell and Garner that stand out the most.

Concerning the gags, being a kids film, they are over the top, but they are simple and harmless. Unfortunately, a vomit and poop gag or two makes its way in, which elicits nothing more than an eye roll.

By the time the film ends, the viewer is left with a simple kids film, with two notable performances in the middle of it all.