Release Date: Oct 10, 2014
- Director: Miguel Arteta
- Genre(s): Comedy, Family
Starring: Bella Thorne, Dylan Minnette, Ed Oxenbould, Elise Vargas, Jennifer Garner, Kerris Dorsey, Sidney Fullmer,Steve Carell, Zoey Vargas
Review: It’s almost not fair to pick on a movie like “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” First, the temptation to label the film by its title is too easy. Second, it’s a family film that, while not elevating any IQ points, won’t do irreparable damage, either.
“Alexander” is, however, just another loud, boy-centric comedy aimed at ’tweens. The movie turns a slight children’s book — in this case, Judith Viorst’s 1972 fave, from which it takes mainly the title — into a charmless mishmash.
Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) is turning 11. His frenzied dad and mom (Steve Carell and Jennifer Garner) barely have time to arrange a so-not-cool party, given dad’s search for employment, mom’s upcoming presentation at work and the overshadowing presence of Alexander’s older siblings, Anthony (Dylan Minnette) and Emily (Kerris Dorsey), and newborn brother Trevor.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (TrailerAfter a rotten day at school, Alexander makes a “Big”/“Home Alone”-like wish that his family members have a bad day, too. Next morning, sure enough, Anthony’s driving test goes badly, Emily gets a cold as she’s about to perform in a school play, and his parents face massive job screw-ups.
Director Miguel Arteta made his name with edgy indies like “Chuck & Buck” and “The Good Girl.” He also made the wonderful, underrated “Cedar Rapids.” Here he’s just part of the machine, trying to copy the more enjoyable “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” movies.
DALE ROBINETTEEd Oxenbould sizzles in ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.’
Arteta instructs the actors to amp up the wackiness, cookie-cutter style. Only Carell benefits. The young cast is energetic, but the hard work is in the service of a noisy contraption. This may make kids — especially the under-10 audience — wonder why there’s not a lot of Alexander in the film, and why there’s so much terrible.
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