Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Based upon the classic book by Judith Viorst, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day comes to life on the big screen as one ordinary family indeed has a very bad day.
When 11 year old Alexander, played by Ed Oxenbould, wakes up with gum in his hair, followed by disaster after disaster he is convinced that his perfect family does not understand what it is like to have a horrible day. Later that evening just after midnight when his birthday arrives he makes a simple birthday wish that changes everyone’s life. What happens next can only be described as awful and hilarious.
The Cooper family’s disaster of a day includes attacking kangaroos and a roaring alligator that makes your worst days feel normal.
What struck me most in the movie is all of the Disney references in one liners that only Disney can truly do. The line about Wreck It Ralph was absolutely hilarious and perfectly timed.
Be prepared to laugh with your family as this movie is definitely family friendly and children will laugh, especially if they like physical comedy. The only parental warning I would advise is for Thunder Down Under, but Disney does an excellent job presenting the humor only parents will get.
Steve Carell plays Ben Cooper who is an unemployed stay at home father forced to take his infant son with him to a job interview as a video game designer. He is no stranger to physical comedy but it is a first seeing him in a pirate shirt and hearing him speak like a pirate.
Jennifer Garner plays Kelly Cooper who is an amazing working mother trying to balance work and home. She proves that one simple letter can spell disaster. She is a movie star that many women can relate to but her scene biking through the streets frantically trying to get to Dick Van Dyke in order to save her career is by far one that makes her just an ordinary working mom that many of us can understand.
Dylan Minnette plays Anthony Cooper who is Alexander’s older brother and is a perfect older brother who has everything going for him until that one day he wakes up and his life turns into a disaster. Baby Trevor Cooper, played by twins Elise Vargas and Zoey Vargas, only says one word but steals the entire movie, even if he is wearing a green marker. Kerris Dorsey plays Emily Cooper who wants to be an actress and is focused on her upcoming role in her school’s play as Peter Pan.
Bella Thorne plays Celia who is prepared to be crowned royalty at her high school prom and is the girlfriend of Anthony. She is the envy of every girl and makes sure Anthony knows the power of XOXO when he is texting her.
Jennifer Coolidge plays Ms. Suggs who is the driving instructor but after Anthony’s driving test she may be looking for a new job.
“You gotta have the bad days so you can love the good days.”
The message in the movie says it loud and clear for children and adults that you have to have bad days in your life in order to appreciate the good days. This is why the book has been so beloved for children and makes an excellent family comedy.
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[quote]Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn’t had one.[/quote]
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is rated PG for rude humor including some reckless behavior and language.
Images courtesy Walt Disney Studios. Used with permission.
Media tickets to an advanced screening were provided to facilitate the Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day review.
