Based on Marla Frazee's children's book and directed by Tom McGrath, DreamWorks' The Boss Baby does it's best to take what it's been given and try to keep pace with Pixar studios. And while it ultimately fails, it brought some great laughs, particularly from its lead star Alec Baldwin who voices the titular character.
Following a boy named Tim Templeton, Tim's life is turned upside down when his parents bring home a new addition to their home, a baby brother. Realizing this baby isn't like most, Tim stumbles upon the baby's true identity, showing himself as a talking, man-like baby who has been sent by his bosses from Baby Corp. to find out why the world no longer loves children the way they once did. The film has fun moments, pushing the ideas of family and love, and how important those things are. The Boss Baby stumbles it's way through to the end (barely surviving) thanks to it's witty lead in Baldwin and top notch CGI.
Baldwin brings pizzazz, class, and a perfect balance of a man pretty much trapped in a baby's body who has no idea what love and family really mean. It's what makes the film an overall entertaining kids’ flick (with lots of jokes and references that only older viewers will get.)
Alec Baldwin is perfectly cast as the films titular character: The Boss Baby. Coming into the Templeton's home and telling everyone what to do, The Boss Baby creates a world in which his every wish is their command.
The film suffers from uneven storytelling and development. Great moments were cut short; what would've been perfect running gags/jokes weren't so as they didn't act on them enough, missing those moments by instead introducing pointless drama in an attempt to make the plot interesting. They would have been better off leaving the majority of the film at the Templeton family home (the family that the Boss Baby is sent to infiltrate) and exploring the dynamic between the Baby and Timmy, the film’s protagonist.
The supporting characters all lacked conviction, in many cases due to lack of use. Boss Baby's team of other adult babies would have been cuter and funnier if they had more screen time along with the Boss Baby, making their rep and chemistry more enjoyable and adding more substance. The time they have together is great, but the film left you wanting more (and not in the good way.)
The Boss Baby's supporting cast and team as he carries out his mission (minus one who is missing from the screen).
The film and animation as a whole was pleasing to the eyes and the scenes where Tim is imagining are fantastical, being blended to perfection, which is a good thing DreamWorks has going for them.
The Boss Baby falls short of it's competitor Pixar due to their trying too hard at an interesting plot that's just too much to handle in the end. Their hope of a top of the line story to keep up with their rival (if you want to call them that) is what shoots the film in the foot. Had they stuck with humor, jokes, and witty one-liners, the film would've have succeeded. Its premise is begging for over the top laughs - not an overstuffed plot. Luckily the film has great CGi and is led by a superb Alec Baldwin, carrying the film just over the finish line.
Final Grade: 6/10
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