While a lot of movies are still opting for a digital release or pushing their release dates until when movie theaters are open nation wide – families have a fun movie opening this week. The War with Grandpa is based on the kid favorite book by Robert Kimmel Smith, and is not only a fun movie that brings in a multi-generational aspect that a lot of families can relate to but some mischief as well.
When movies come to the big screen and are often geared towards a younger audience, the first fear by parents is usually if they’re just paying to take a nap in a theater or not. But The War with Grandpa packs an all star cast that will make parents not only tune into the story but will have you laughing along.
Based on an almost relatable story for the current times, Grandpa Ed moves into the house with his daughter and her family. But to make room for him in their home, their son Peter has to move up to the attic and give up his room. At first Peter is resigned to his new fate living in the scary attic and not having a choice – but after some encouragement from friends declares “War” on his grandfather, starting a prank war that will bring them closer than ever before.
The movie has a lot of unbelievable moments that you would expect in a kids movie. But the most glaring one was with a grandfather and a father both in the architecture and design world – they put him in a completely unfinished and unsafe attic space as a bedroom. The pranks of course have varying degrees of believability and issues too. But being based on a book for kids, this is of course expected.
But the movie brings with it a lot of heart. And while Peter and Grandpa Ed both deploy attack after attack on each other, you never have a point where you see actual anger or hate towards each other. They call a truce more than once and stop their tricks on each other. Despite what is going on, they do still love each other and that relationship shows throughout the whole movie – which was a nice break from negativity over all.
Packing a cast including Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, Rob Riggle, Jane Seymore, Laura Marano, Christopher Walken, Cheech Marin and Oakes Fegley the movie has enough to draw an audience. And is a nice break from what is happening in the world around us. Although we wondered after the movie how no one in the family could figure out what was going on, instead of just blaming it on Grandpa’s age. If you’re willing to forgive the movie and story a few things, and want a fun movie that comes with a positive message The War with Grandpa may be the movie you want to check out.
The War with Grandpa is opening in select theaters today. We’ll share if they decide to open digital as well!
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About The War With Grandpa:
Sixth-grader Peter (Oakes Fegley) is pretty much your average kid-he likes gaming, hanging with his friends and his beloved pair of Air Jordans. But when his recently widowed grandfather Ed (Robert De Niro) moves in with Peter’s family, the boy is forced to give up his most prized possession of all, his bedroom. Unwilling to let such an injustice stand, Peter devises a series of increasingly elaborate pranks to drive out the interloper, but Grandpa Ed won’t go without a fight. Soon, the friendly combatants are engaged in an all-out war with side-splitting consequences.
Based on the award-winning book by Robert Kimmel Smith, The War with Grandpa is a hilarious family comedy featuring an all-star supporting cast: Christopher Walken, Uma Thurman, Rob Riggle, Cheech Marin, Laura Marano and Jane Seymour.
