Reviewed September 6th, 2015 - 1st viewing (Premium HD) Deciding to watch this film solely because Scarlett Johansson is in it, I did not expect much, and despite its fundamental flaws and childish script, it does have its moments.
The plot is simple enough, with a 15-year-old Scarlett playing Kathy, the older sister to her annoying brother George. Scarlett does a great job fleshing her out as the bratty teen sister instigating her brother to get into trouble. When their parents go to France for a vacation, the nanny Matilda is left to babysit Kathy and George. It is never really made clear as to why Kathy is so resentful of their nanny (played by Eva Mendes) other than the fact that she's happy all the time.
The score is garish with loud, overpowering pieces that will make you plug your ears or fast forward. The screenplay seems to be written half by a child, and half by an underwhelmed adult, fluctuating between predictable and cheesy. There is a heart at its core, and it does have its moments of lucidity. Freud (Alex D. Linz), George's best friend, adds some levity to the idiosyncrasies. While lacking in development, you are shown briefly that Kathy is an outcast, ostracized by classmates with little to no friends, so her brother's antics would only serve to fuel her anger more.
When Matilda's crystals turn George into a pig and they have to go on a road trip to visit Matilda's aunt in Mexico, Kathy has an outburst that made me cringe (well done by a young Scarlett—you really believe she's that venomous). However as she explores the town to get away and befriends two young Mexican girls who idolize her, it's refreshing to see her open up when she feels accepted and highly regarded.
She comes back to center and saves the day in time with the ridiculous antagonist of a local butcher chasing them after they have to free George from his stable. If possible, the end gets a little more ridiculous with them getting home in time to wash the car when they were only about 2 minutes ahead of their parents. The film certainly could have done a much better job exploring Kathy's feelings of inadequacy and isolation, instead pandering to a younger audience.
FINAL VERDICT: Despite the silly premise, it did have its moments, particularly allowing Scarlett to shine in some scenes. However overall a missed opportunity to explore the older sibling's struggle to redefine their role in the family and maintain a healthy relationship with their parents.
4.0 of 10.0
The plot is simple enough, with a 15-year-old Scarlett playing Kathy, the older sister to her annoying brother George. Scarlett does a great job fleshing her out as the bratty teen sister instigating her brother to get into trouble. When their parents go to France for a vacation, the nanny Matilda is left to babysit Kathy and George. It is never really made clear as to why Kathy is so resentful of their nanny (played by Eva Mendes) other than the fact that she's happy all the time.
The score is garish with loud, overpowering pieces that will make you plug your ears or fast forward. The screenplay seems to be written half by a child, and half by an underwhelmed adult, fluctuating between predictable and cheesy. There is a heart at its core, and it does have its moments of lucidity. Freud (Alex D. Linz), George's best friend, adds some levity to the idiosyncrasies. While lacking in development, you are shown briefly that Kathy is an outcast, ostracized by classmates with little to no friends, so her brother's antics would only serve to fuel her anger more.
When Matilda's crystals turn George into a pig and they have to go on a road trip to visit Matilda's aunt in Mexico, Kathy has an outburst that made me cringe (well done by a young Scarlett—you really believe she's that venomous). However as she explores the town to get away and befriends two young Mexican girls who idolize her, it's refreshing to see her open up when she feels accepted and highly regarded.
She comes back to center and saves the day in time with the ridiculous antagonist of a local butcher chasing them after they have to free George from his stable. If possible, the end gets a little more ridiculous with them getting home in time to wash the car when they were only about 2 minutes ahead of their parents. The film certainly could have done a much better job exploring Kathy's feelings of inadequacy and isolation, instead pandering to a younger audience.
FINAL VERDICT: Despite the silly premise, it did have its moments, particularly allowing Scarlett to shine in some scenes. However overall a missed opportunity to explore the older sibling's struggle to redefine their role in the family and maintain a healthy relationship with their parents.
4.0 of 10.0