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Reviews:
Capra
Lite: Disney’s The Kid
by Christian De Matteo
Solid
I did not see this of my own volition, it was
one of those date rentals you just don't have much
of a say in.
After Willis’ astounding turn in The
Sixth Sense, I wasn’t ready to see him blow it
in a follow up movie about more strange occurrences
and a kid. All
I could think of was Trains,
Planes and Automobiles compared to the kids’
version, Dutch.
Regardless, I comforted myself by reading the back and
recognizing the director’s name from Phenomenon,
a fine movie I hadn’t wanted to see.
Hey, if it’s half as good as that I
thought… it will be half as good as that, which is
okay.
The film starts slow, a series of cuts
between an inexplicable red plane and “mean,
corporate” Bruce Willis.
We learn through a series of clichés, guy
who only cares about his job jokes, that he is,
indeed, a guy who only cares about his job. Then, the kid appears.
What follows is standard inner child stuff,
learn from children stuff.
Much of it is very good.
It’s funny, engaging and, believe it or not
in a Hollywood movie, the kid, Spencer Breslin (Ozzie, Meet the Parents) is likable. Bruce Willis acts his way through the movie in first gear,
still good as he usually is, but obviously not
overly invested in the film.
The predictable ending is believable with a
twist and the credits roll in front of a smile on
your face.
Everybody’s happy.
I enjoyed the movie, I recommend it for a
watch with a woman next to you (because there's
really no justification to rent it on your own), and tell
you that it will keep your attention.
It’s not riveting, but director Jon
Turteltaub gets the audience involved enough to care
about the characters and look forward to the next
episode and hijinks.
Lily Tomlin is one of the films biggest
pleasures as Willis’s astoundingly patient
secretary. One scene with her, a confused Willis, and a frustrated
Breslin is hysterical.
A worthy rent, reminiscent of the fables of
an earlier time and, though, not quite as well done;
very enjoyable.
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