Ballantyne Scoop Movie Reviews | Grownups | Toy Story 3

Grownups Movie Review

A group of five men, friends since elementary school, get together with their families at a large lake house following the funeral of their middle school basketball coach. Adam Sandler co wrote the film as a family story minus a lot of the inane humor and language of his previous films. His wife is played by the gorgeous Salma Hayek who has never looked better. Adam plays an entertainment agent who has made it big along with his wife who is a well known fashion designer. Kevin James is the manager of a furniture company while Chris Rock is a house husband. Rob Schneider is an adult hippy married to his third wife, a woman at least 25 years older then him. David Spade plays David Spade as usual and we never find out what his job is. Most of the cast are alumni of Saturday Night Live.

This is good family entertainment with a lot of interaction showing depth of character. Although this is a comedy, the situations are mostly believable. I took my five year old grandson who enjoyed it. There were a few off color comments which he did not notice. There were quite a few youngsters in the theater. I could view this film again to see what I may have missed. The critics were largely so so about it which is a good sign.

I Rate Grownups a 4 out of 5 for a comedy.

Toy Story 3 Movie Review

The third in a line of Pixar films about toys who come to life when humans are away. The little boy from the first Toy Story, Andy Davis is preparing to go to college. He intends to put his favorite toys in the attic however they end up at a day care center being abused by non caring children. After hours the toys are ruled by a vile dictatorial teddy bear.

If the above does not turn you off you will be entertained by this story. The characters, Woody, a cowboy doll voiced by Tom Hanks and Astronaut Buzz Light Year voiced by Tim Allen really come to life in this wonderfully animated story. There is a lot of action and mystery as well as excitement. If it weren’t for the fact that these are talking toys, it could be as any action film. You will laugh and feel fright. There is enough pathos to last for several hours. I noted a number of adults sans children in the theater and they enjoyed it. Pixar is the state of the art of animated film making today. Other voices included Joan Cusack, Don Rickles. I found the film a total delight.

The credits to this film read like the United Nations. It took several years to write and produce and it shows.

I rated this film 5 of 5 for an animated picture. Although we saw it in 2 D it is also showing in 3D. Try it, you will like it.

bruce@kantorandassociates.com

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