The War With Grandpa movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The War With Grandpa

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Directed by Tim Hill, THE WAR WITH GRANDPA is finally in theaters, after several failed releases in 2017 and 2018 due to the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The family comedy features flying dentures, trash-talking kids, and is based on the children’s book The War with Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith.

In a time of chaos and uncertainty in the world today, it’s nice to have a light-hearted, family-friendly film. Of course, it’s predictable, but it’s a feel-good fun time and we all need more of that. Some people will think it’s hilarious; others will think it’s silly nonsense and mean-spirited. The trailer shows exactly what you can expect. If you like what you see, go for it. If it looks dumb, skip it.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some violence
Bullying and name-calling
There are some phrases I never allowed in my house, like “Shut up” or “I hate you!” They’re allowed in this family’s house.
Some alcohol
Talk and portrayal of men dressing up as Santa
A teenage girl lies to her parents that she is going to study, but she really goes out with her boyfriend.
You see an old man topless.
There is an extremely extravagant birthday party your kids may want you to duplicate.
Lots and lots of pranks. Some people get hurt.
Some people break the law.
2 not fully enunciated F-bombs
Anatomical terms in Spanish
2 Scatalogical terms
7 religious exclamations
In case your child thinks going to war with a grandparent looks like great fun, talk to him/her about how people got hurt and a lot of things were damaged, requiring expensive repairs. Of course, teach your kids about respect.

THEMES:

“Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for family.” – Sally (Uma Thurman)
War hurts.
Lack of respect for people and property
Selfishness
Parenting kids, caring for aging parents
Jealousy
Death of loved ones
Family

THINGS I LIKED:

Academy Award winner Robert De Niro is great at both drama and comedy. Despite his controversial political statements in recent years, he’s an excellent actor and a fan favorite. This is his second movie starring in a movie with the word “Grandpa” in it. Watch for the references to his other movies.
I haven’t seen Oscar nominee Uma Thurman in anything for a while. She’s obviously had plastic surgery, but she looks great.
The talented cast includes the lovely Jane Seymour, funnyman Cheech Marin, and the quirky, Academy Award winner Christopher Walken.
Young Oakes Fegley does a great job and has a bright future in acting. I thought he was so sweet in Pete’s Dragon.
Good for the parents for having no boys in the house when no parents are at home rule. My parents had the same rule.
It’s cute how the pranks bring the grandfather and grandson together.
There are some scenes that were pretty entertaining like the dodgeball scene,
Laura Maran will be most familiar to young audiences from the Disney Channel show Austin & Ally: Chasing The Beat, where she plays Ally Dawson. She sings one of the songs in the movie called “Point of War”.
Keep watching after the first song during the closing credits for some outtakes.
There are quite a few running gags throughout the movie. Some work. Others not so much.
There are some sweet family moments and lessons learned.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

What a bratty attitude Peter has toward his grandfather. When his friend tells him to start a war and fight for what is rightfully his, Peter says, “You’re a bad friend”. He’s right. It’s terrible advice, yet he decides to go to war, telling his grandfather, “You took something of mine and I want it back!”
The movie trailer did a much better job showcasing the snake scene than the actual movie did.
There’s some real infantile humor that features Robert De Niro with his pants down twice.
The moment when Uma Thurman goes nuclear fell flat for me. There was no epiphany in her eyes, only an instant change of attitude.
One of the kids always says crude things.
Not all of the humor lands.
Some scenes last way too long like the “Shhhh” scene.
I really like Rob Riggle and he does a good job with the material he is given. Unfortunately, as a father, he is emasculated and 100% useless in this movie.
The ending was dumb.

FUNNY LINES:

“Fish and relatives stink after three days.” – Ed (Robert De Niro) My father always says the same thing.
“I love you. The war’s still on!” – Peter (Oakes Fegley)
“I think your grandpa might be a ninja.” – Billy (Juliocesar Chavez)
“You’re supposed to be neutral.” – Peter “I don’t even know what that means.” – Emma (T. J. McGibbon)
“Sure you don’t need your diaper changed?” – Cheech “Sure YOU don’t?” – Billy
“This place have a bar?” – Jerry at a trampoline place for kids Christopher Walken)
“He’s gaining on us!” – Ed Then, the scene cuts to two small fishing boats going REALLY slowly. That actually made me laugh out loud.
“Russell!” – Sally (Uma Thurman) I think it was supposed to resemble the “Newman!” line in the Seinfeld TV show. It didn’t work quite as well, but was still kind of funny.

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