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Boss baby review


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Boss Baby

 

20th century Fox

 

PG. 97 min

 

 

I remember years ago watching one of those cable shows called Actors Studio or something like that that featured Alec Baldwin. I have always, and still do, like Baldwin a great deal. This was filmed when he was much younger and still one of the A list studs. They were asking him about how long before he might retire and he hinted that he didn't want to work into his old age playing, as he said, rolls like a judge on LAW AND ORDER. Well he's still working albeit maybe more as a kind of comedic actor like Leslie Nielsen or Bill Shatner eventually became. His most famous role these days is on SATURDAY NIGHT Live as he grinds away at Donald Trump week after week after week after... well you get the idea.

 

This time he's voice talent and using just a tad bit of the SNL hook to portray a fast-talking no nonsense take charge BABY BOSS.

 

I certainly hope Baldwin, who has delivered some of my very favorite movie performances, doesn't devolve into self parody like DeNiro with his cranky old man routine and Marlon Brando in that stupid lizard movie with Matthew Broderick. ( or worse yet that terrible version of THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU)

 

Anyway he's the perfect choice for the suit wearing infant from from a fantasy infant Corporation. Not necessarily because of his wide range of vocal skills but the fact we know him.

 

The story here is that he's been sent to pose as a real baby in a real family from a company of non aging infants to investigate a plot to replace babies as the cutest creatures in the world with a new breed of eternal puppies. Yes it's a little crazy, well maybe a lot, but look it's a cartoon. Get over it.

 

At first he's met with envy and suspicion by his older brother who is no longer the center of attention in the family. Eventually he stumbles across the boss's secret.

 

No point in getting too specific about the plot and the bonding of the two brothers and the evil plan to take over the world, but you can guess.

 

It also sports respectable cast. Besides Baldwin there is Steve Buscemi, Lisa Kudrow, Tobey Maguire and Jimmy (I can understand why this guy has a job) Kimmel.

 

One problem with having a well-known cast is that they come with the baggage of expectations and prior knowledge of their characters. Personally I think it's better to cast from a voice Talent aspect only. Still that hasn't hurt the film, it only means there are no outstanding voice characterizations, only good ones.

 

BOSS BABY started out a little bit slow and I was about to be thoroughly disappointed but maybe halfway through when that buddy picture/ reconciliation part swings into gear everybody becomes a little more charismatic. By the end I was fine with it. It's by no means one of the great animated features but it's enough fun anr it certainly has an acceptably uplifting ending.

 

I'm not sure little kids know who Alec Baldwin or Steve Buscemi really are but they might well appreciate the action.

 

Grown ups will probably like it a fair amount as well.

 

B-

 

WSS

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