What if I told you that babies came from a factory in the sky?
You’d probably say: I knew that. I saw that in the animated movie Storks.
What if I told you that some babies are sent to live with families while others are retained at the factory and promoted to “Management”?
You’d probably say: Well, that’s just ridiculous.
At least that’s what I said when saw a preview for The Boss Baby several months ago. In fact Evan (my 10 year old son) and I have this game we play when we’re at the movies. We sit through each preview and when it’s over we look at each other and nod yes or shake our head no.
I can’t really remember if Evan was a yes or a no but in my mind, I was firmly a NO.
This sounded like a cutesy, “babies can talk like grown-ups!” sort of movie.
Anyone have flashbacks to Bruce Willis as a talking baby in Look Who’s Talking?
Luckily, I don’t let me preconceived ideas keep me from going to the movies. I’m looking to be entertained after all and entertainment can be surprising.
From DreamWorks Animation and the director of Madagascar, The Boss Baby is about one of these babies that ended up in “Management.” He wears a suit, he runs a covert operation, and is out to stop the biggest threat that babies have ever seen. To do this, he goes undercover as a family baby, the younger and unwanted brother of an imaginative 7 year old named Tim.
The Boss Baby: (left-right) Tim (voiced by Miles Bakshi) discovers Boss Baby’s (voiced by Alec Baldwin) surprising secret in DreamWorks Animation’s THE BOSS BABY. Photo Credit: DreamWorks Animation.
The baby is none other than Alec Baldwin who speaks with the same wit he brings to most roles. And the Baldwin humor is lost on parents (as he’s teaching the ABCs to his fellow playmates he reminds them that ABC stands for Always Bring Cookies).
You Glengarry Glen Ross fans will understand that one.
Soon the stakes are high and Boss Baby and Tim must unite to save the mission and their parents.
The Boss Baby: (left-right) Boss Baby (voiced by Alec Baldwin) tries to convince Tim (voiced by Miles Bakshi) that they must cooperate in DreamWorks Animation’s THE BOSS BABY. Photo Credit: DreamWorks Animation.
I know. It still sounds silly. And it is silly. It’s implausible. Full of plot holes. And yes, it’s just so darn entertaining. And funny. My 10 year old LOVED it. And I really liked it.
DreamWorks touts it as “an authentic and broadly appealing original comedy for all ages with a sly, heart-filled message about the importance of family.” And I think they got it right.
The Boss Baby: Tim’s mother (voiced by Lisa Kudrow) and father (voiced by Jimmy Kimmel) introduce him to Boss Baby (voiced by Alec Baldwin) in DreamWorks Animation’s THE BOSS BABY. Photo Credit: DreamWorks Animation.
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Families and kids ages 5 and up.
Discussion points: Where babies really come from, sibling rivalry, bad guys, and how in the world a baby can wear a suit!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars; good, clean, funny family entertainment that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
