Review of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014) by Jonny P — 07 Apr 2015

"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" is exactly what you expect. I don't mean that in a negative way, it just typifies the family-sticks-together-when-everything-goes-wrong comedy.

The film is a very loose adaptation of the children's book (in fact, only the title and several minute details are the same as the book) but it delivers a complete story with a moral at the end. It is full of slapstick humor that will have the entire family laughing out loud.

We can all relate to having a day where nothing goes right, which is why this chaotic embellishment of "the bad day" will resonate with everybody; unfortunately, it strikes me as the type of movie that kids will want to watch over and over again but parents will only want to watch once.

Disney provides a nice cast with veterans Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner. Unlike the book, the family takes the brunt of the unfortunate events while Alexander, played by Ed Oxenbould, ties the story together.

His acting isn't anything spectacular but I feel as if his delivery makes this character one to which kids can relate. I was disappointed in some inappropriate references to male body parts which were entirely unnecessary but, aside from that, the film is entirely family friendly.

"Alexander and the...Bad Day" isn't the best family film that I have seen but it's definitely worth a watch.