The "Alexander And the Terrible" is Not Terrible Review

Damian Gordon
South Campus Bureau Chief

    Disney must be putting something in the water, because it’s hard not to come out of their movies with a smile. “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” carries the mojo that makes people enjoy their projects.

    When Alexander Cooper (Ed Oxenbould) makes a wish on his birthday for his family to see what it’s like to have day like his, things start to get from terrible, to horrible and very bad for all of them.

    The film becomes increasingly entertaining when you see each members’ day get progressively worse. Ranging from catching on fire to getting attacked by a kangaroo, no one is spared from this unpleasant day.

    “Alexander” starts out following the same beats as any of these family movies. Kid is unpopular. His family members have better lives and don’t understand his struggles. Then, it takes that premise and shakes it up just enough to differ itself from the others in the genre.

    Adults, teens and children can all find something to enjoy and relate to here. Whether it be from relationship problems with a girlfriend, conflicts between work and family, or not being popular in school.

    It can’t be a Disney flick without a heartwarming moment; even Ebenezer Scrooge would have let out an “aww” while watching this.

    Steve Carrel’s character, Ben Cooper, is the most sympathetic as the positive dad, and even as his day gets worse, he tries to keep up the spirits of the family up. It’s hard not to adore Carrel in any character he portrays, as he brings that extra “something” to his role.

    Becky, played by Sidney Fullmer, is Alexander’s love interest and acts as if English is her second language: she nods back with an almost blank stare at Alexander’s comments. It’s unintentionally funny to watch this as the two share scenes together.

    It’s 2014 and Hollywood is still getting actors that barely look anything like the age they are supposed to be playing. It’s only second behind it’s obsession with remaking older films over and over again.

    The older brother, Anthony (Dylan Minnette) and his girlfriend Celia are a little jarring to watch as high school students at first because it’s almost like an old couple snuck into a random school and were role playing as students. He looks old enough to have been there to pick up his own kids.

    Paul (Mekai Curtis), who is Alexander’s best friend, was anything but that, as he was willing to abandon Alexander’s birthday for a more popular kid’s event on the same day. Which only hammers the fact that even his “best friend” is, at best, an acquaintance.

    I had a bad day coming into the theatre; then after leaving, the movie somehow made it better with the realization that my day was nowhere as bad as the characters in the movie.

    Nothing bad can really be said about this film as it does everything by the book, for the most part. It doesn’t excel and leave the viewer amazed, but instead leaves them having a feel good time.

    Going to see this is a nice pallet cleanse now that the summer blockbuster season has ended. “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” is short, sweet and doesn’t overstay its welcome. With other films trying to be three hour epics these days, it’s nice to get out a film before grey hair stars growing.