4 out of 5 stars
Robert De Niro is an icon in Hollywood that has proven his abilities in almost every genre. This legendary figure continues to perform for crowds as everything from a mob heavy to a struggling boxer to the driving force in comedy franchises. In The War with Grandpa, De Niro reprises his grumpy curmudgeon role that was first seen in the Meet the Parents series. While in this outing, he embodies a fiercely-independent retired builder named Ed who is convinced to move in with his daughter, Sally (Uma Thurman) and her family after an incident with a local supermarket security guard.
Living with other people takes some getting used for the widower. Ed struggles to connect with his older granddaughter, Mia (Laura Marano), who is far more interested in boys and social media. Even though he does manage to enjoy being around her super-sweet younger sister, Jennifer (Poppy Gagnon). Yet, it is his grandson Peter (Oakes Fegley) who seems to have a problem with his grandad moving into the family home.
The teen has been forced to give up his own room for the elderly family member and must move into the dark and dingy attic. Then he is egged on by his friends to declare war on his grandfather to regain his room. A declaration that is not taken seriously by Ed until his own mates urge him to show Peter who is the boss. Even though his character is reminiscent of past comedies, De Niro’s role is far more forgiving in this screenplay. At the beginning of his conflict with Peter, he advises his grandson that there are never any real winners in war. This leads the two family members to an all-out old school vs. new cool prank war. Sally and her husband, Arthur (Rob Riggle), are oblivious to Ed and Peter's battle, especially since the mother is distracted by Mia’s obsession with her new boyfriend.
What lifts this film above your average family comedy is Ed’s friends who are real characters, particularly Jerry (Christopher Walken), who steals every scene. While the grandfather's potential love-interest, Diane (Jane Seymour), has no problem berating grandfather and his comrades when she thinks they are too soft. For the most part, team Ed is far more likeable than team Peter. This becomes even more apparent in the dodgeball challenge, which proves to be the film's highlight.
Director Tim Hill has utilised a fun family film style that has not been seen in years. Reminiscent of Home Alone-style pranks, in which the young teen tries to gain an advantage over his septuagenarian foe. These lead to some of the movie's biggest laughs, but ultimately teach an essential life lesson. As the high jinks lead to innocent people becoming collateral damage, a strong anti-war subplot is cleverly unearthed inside the main story.
REEL DIALOGUE - What influence do your friend’s have on you?
One thing that is apparent in The War with Grandpa is the influence friends have on our lives. It is not new in film, but it does show the felt need for friendships and how they impact your decisions.
Solomon writes of friendship in this manner, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
This is one encouraging passage amongst many that talks to the value of friendship and how God is the author of this beautiful gift to humanity. Also, it makes you think about the influence they
