Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good…Kids movie review

We all have bad days, some worse than others. It’s the day before Alexander’s 12th birthday and it’s not a good day; he slips on a skateboard, gets gum in his hair, a funny picture is taken of him which travels all around the school, and he finds out no one is going to his birthday party because the most popular boy in school is having a big bash. When Alexander comes home, his parents and siblings have all had amazing days, and his baby brother can do no wrong. So at 12:01 AM, Alexander’s 12th birthday, he wishes a bad day upon his family. Now the comedic tragedies begin as we see a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for the Cooper family…but not Alexander! Based on a popular children’s book, Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a terrific film for the whole family!

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: February 10, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 6+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes

Talking Points:

There’s a wonderful message about the importance of family and loved ones. Alexander comes to realize that no matter how bad your day can be, or no matter how bad life can get, if you’re surrounded by family and loved ones, it’s not that bad.
Steve Carell (the dad) and Jennifer Garner (the mom) are very funny and entertaining. The kids in the film are also likable, fun characters, ones that kids in the audience can relate to.
There is some potty humor for example, the baby urinates on the kitchen floor and oven, kids in the theater thought that was funny. Also, the daughter vomits on her dad.

Sexual Content: Moderate

The mom walks in on her teenage son as he’s naked in the bathroom. We don’t see anything, however later she comments saying, “It’s not the first time I’ve seen your penis.”
There’s a discussion of Anthony and his girlfriend making out.
The parents hire three “Australian cowboys,” for Alexander’s birthday party, not realizing their strippers.

Violent Content: Moderate

Alexander accidentally starts a fire in his Chemistry class.
The dad’s shirt cuffs set fire while eating at a Japanese restaurant.
The dad gets kicked to the ground by a kangaroo.
While the teenage son is taking his driver’s test he gets into a car crash, no one is hurt.
The mom crashes while riding a bike.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

“Idiot,” “sucks,” and “crap,” are said.

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

Emily, the eight grade daughter, overdoses on cold medicine and acts very silly.
The dad drinks beer and then slams down another drink while the group he’s with chants his name.

Will it Appeal to kids? Yes