adminthree grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents go away for work.
“But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend and not holding your ground – that binds a family together” (20th Century Fox).
Artie and Diane agree to visit Atlanta to look after their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents need to leave town for work.
Problems arise when the kids’ 21st-century behaviours collide with Artie and Diane’s old-school methods.
The movie is yet another typical comedy about disconnected and outdated old folks trying to get along with the younger generation.
The only difference is that this one’s unfunny. When the ending credit rolls, one could only wonder if the title “Parental Guidance” is just another bad joke attempt because the parenting in the movie is as poor as its humour and unconvincing plot development. It’s rated P13 here but it’s not even amusing enough for teens, and not logical enough for adults to relate to. Also, all the characters are totally unlikeable, not even Billy Crystal’s one.
What a waste of a great veteran actor. The unnecessary racism on Asians is pretty darn lame as well.
Some said that the movie is okay with the second half of the film. Like at the beginning scenes, people can see that Artie (Billy Crystal), an old school sports commentator, is so outdated that he doesn’t even know how to operate a house phone . . . but in later scenes, he uses a mobile phone without any hesitation.
He forgets to pick up his married daughter, Alice (Marisa Tomei), and left her waiting for hours . . . but why can’t she just call him to remind him? Also, the parents are portrayed to be extremely strict with how they teach their kids (they don’t even allow ice cream and cake) . . . so why is it that the kids have no manners and respect towards their grandparents?
The worst scene is during the climax of the movie where the family is at a high class music audition, the stammering kid goes up onto the stage for no reason and starts commenting an old baseball game into the mic.
When he finishes, everyone in the hall starts applauding instead of questioning what was that all about?
He could have done that anywhere, but then and there? The producers should have paid me half of what they paid the writer for a way better script.
The end result should appeal to audiences, including bonding grandparents and grandkids, looking for a little undemanding holiday cheer.
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