Soul

In Soul a middle aged substitute band teacher, Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx)  finally gets his big chance to play jazz with a famed musician only to find himself suddenly dead. Feeling cheated and unwilling to accept his back luck, Joe tries to run from the great beyond. He escapes the path to the great beyond only to wind up in the great before or You-Seminar, where new souls are given unique personalities. Trying not to get caught, Joe becomes a mentor for a new soul, 22 (voiced by Tina Fey). 22 has no interest in going to Earth to live a life and has annoyed countless prestigious mentors (a very funny quick montage shows a few). 22 agrees to help Joe get to Earth so that she never has to, but in an unexpected mishap, (SPOILER ALERT!) 22 winds up in Joe’s body and Joe’s soul has to guide her, as his soul fell into a cat. 

I’ve said it before and here again, I’m astounded by the visual way Pixar chooses to express and explain such abstract concepts in a way that’s age appropriate for children and still captivating for adults. The dark, vast escalator to The Great Beyond is a very cool way to visualize death without making it too scary. The great beyond (which we don’t really see) is depicted here like a vast white light that zaps like a bug zapper with each soul that passes. The whole You-Seminar area is very dreamy and abstract. And I love the very liniar Picasso style Jerry’s and Terry while the souls have a softer, nearly blurry appearance.

Soul is Pixar’s first feature film centered around an African-American character. While there are some gripes about the fact that Joe spends much of the film out of his body, the filmmakers do a great job of bringing Joe and those surrounding him to life. Never before have I seen such quality animation on a diverse collection of characters. Joe, his mom, Dorothea Williams and everyone in the barber shop are unique, fleshed out characters that never fall back on stereotypes. In fact, the barbershop scene is one of the best set within the physical world. It’s apparent that co-director Kemp Powers had a steady hand on the wheel along with the veteran Pixar director, Pete Doctor. 

I love how Pixar addresses the very human mistake of misunderstanding a soul’s spark. Poor 22 has spent so much time with so many prestigious soul mentors under the delusion and ill guidance that a spark equals a purpose in life. It isn’t until 22 is in Joe’s living body that a spark is found. Is the spark music? No. The spark is just a will to live. It’s wonder. It’s that intangible feeling that makes life a joy. 

A film centered around a jazz musician has to have a killer soundtrack. From upbeat jazz numbers, to the soft soulful piano solos, the music in Soul pushes the story forward. Scenes in the You-Seminar have much more organically modern, techno-oriented sound. At times, it can grip at our soul and take it on the journey beyond worlds with Joe, or let us understand 22’s new perspective. It’s a beautiful score, worthy of its Oscar nomination. And it boasts my new favorite rendition of When You Wish Upon a Star. 

What may have begun or was pitched as an animated movie about jazz became a film breaking down our conceptions on life, its meaning and our purpose as living creatures. It’s refreshing to see a film for all ages that doesn’t push any agenda about finding your purpose or achieving your dreams but in the end lets us know that it’s ok to just live and enjoy the ride. To find some joy. To simply be, bask in the wonder and don’t get bogged down in trying to fulfill some purpose or dream that may or may not be all it’s cracked up to be. The world is so much bigger than whatever little mission you have for your life, don’t weigh yourself down. 

“And the thing is, you’re pretty great at jazzing.”

Onward

While Pixar’s newest film had a sadly short run in theaters, its appearance on Disney+ is nothing short of legendary. After it was released on April 3rd, I let my older son stay up late to watch it with me and my husband. Family movie nights and a bit of magic are just what the world needs right now, and Pixar knows how to deliver.

On Ian’s 16th birthday, his mother gives him and his brother, Barley a special gift from their father, who died before Ian was born. It’s a wizard staff, equipped with a phoenix gem and a spell that can bring their father back for one day. But the spell goes wrong, leaving the brothers with only the lower half of their father. Off in Barley’s hunk of junk van, the brothers must go on an epic quest to find another phoenix gem and finish the spell before the next sunset if they want to meet their father. 

Onward takes place in a modern fantasy world where magic has faded with the convenience of technology. Pixies form a motorcycle gang rather than use their wings. The legendary Manticore’s Tavern operates more like a TGIFridays. And fantastic pieces of ancient history are being torn down, with only Barley fighting for their significance. But as Ian and Barley go on their quest, more and more of this old magic is rekindled. I love how The Manticore decides to suddenly remodel, and all the Dungeons and Dragons references! But the best magic is the kind Ian and Barley discover in themselves.

Some of the funniest moments in the movie come from the father’s lower half and fake upper half getting the boys into trouble. Ian gives his father a fake upper half made of old clothes and sunglasses that flops around like the running gag in Weekend at Bernie’s. The moment with the dad and the cops cracked me up. And somehow, with only the lower half, the team at Pixar gives the father life, character and connection to his sons. Their rest stop dance party is a wonderful, sweet bit of family magic. 

Tom Holland and Chris Pratt’s characters play homage to some of their previous performances. Holland’s Ian is a socially awkward teen who needs to get over his meekness and harness some magic. Pratt’s Barley is a vest wearing, loud, fearless, kinda goofy and weirdly driven guy obsessed with his Dungeons and Dragons/Magic: the Gathering style game, Quests of Lore. While Ian is a bit embarrassed by his older brother and his lack of focus on the real world, I love how the film doesn’t try to fix Barley. In fact, the quest would have never gotten rolling without him.

Ian’s whole life he has been yearning for the father he never got to meet. It’s another one of Pixar’s signature heart tugging motifs that helps us sympathize with Ian and his family. But it’s one thing to long for something you never had, it’s another thing to lose it. His realization and sacrifice for Barley is so sweet and not something I expected to happen. It left me teary-eyed next to my son on the couch.

After the movie was over, I talked by my son about how he’s doing such a great job as a big brother. Siblings often don’t realize the impact they have on each other throughout their lives, but movies like Onward show the importance of that sibling bond and your journeys together. The song in the credits, Carried Me With You, puts it in better words than I can. 

“You’re the soul who understands, the scars that made me who I am. Through the drifting sands of time, I got your back and you got mine”

Frozen II

It has been six years since Frozen blasted into theaters and blew audiences away with a new look at Disney princesses and fairy tales. Since then, fans have been eagerly waiting and forming their own theories on what might come next for Elsa, Anna and their friends. While the filmmakers can’t fulfill our every hope and fantasy, Frozen II is a great next chapter for our beloved characters, full of laughter, tears, growth and more unforgettable songs.

This sequel takes place in autumn and despite a song titled Some Things Never Change, we can tell that big changes are coming for Elsa, Anna and all of Arandelle. It starts as Elsa hears a mysterious singing voice only she can hear. Is it calling for her? She, Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf venture out to a fabled forest for answers. There they meet indigenous people of the land and characters from stories their parents told. Secrets of Arandelle’s history and the royal family will be revealed as Elsa journeys into the unknown, taming the elements and searching for the source of that voice calling to her. 

While Elsa and Anna are focused on the adventure at hand, Kristoff is busy worrying about how to propose to Anna. After one attempt goes wrong, he even sings a power ballad about his feelings for her. Lost in the Woods is easily my favorite song in this movie! It’s so refreshing to see a young male character like Kristoff so open about his feelings and romance, which is something we usually only see female characters do. Even better are little moments where Kristoff shows that he is an equal and supportive partner to Anna. When the couple meet up again in a moment of action and peril he doesn’t try to fight for her, but with her and says, “I’m here. What do you need?” I love that my young son gets to grow up with a role model like Kristoff. 

As much as I love these new songs, I am so glad I resisted the urge to listen to any of them before the film. None of them contain any huge lyrical spoilers, but you may connect some dots. And with any animated film, it’s just so fun to discover these songs visually. I especially enjoyed the gags and references in Lost in the Woods. And if you listen to Olaf’s solo tune, you have no idea what is going on. The Next Right Thing had me in tears, and Show Yourself is the new Let It Go. If you really need to get a taste of the music before seeing the movie, Into the Unknown is a safe track. 

There are so many wonderful things going on in this movie. There are themes of love, loss and grief that are so important for children to see in a way they can understand. But it’s so hard to talk about these in more detail without spoilers. I will say that while I understand some people are a little disappointed in this film when compared to the perfection of the original, I fully love and appreciate it and the effort that everyone behind it put in.  Frozen was lightning caught in a bottle. Something that amazing rarely happens twice. But Frozen II is a wonderful, warm, pure attempt to do it again. Some might focus on the imperfections or simply want what they’ve been hoping for, but I see some major sparks within this beautiful film. 

“I can’t freeze this moment but I can still go out and seize this day!”

Toy Story 4

Nine years after giving us a perfect ending to the Toy Story trilogy, the creators at Pixar have decided the story is not over. Toy Story 3 did not end with the cliche, And they lived happily ever after, though we could have believed that. Instead, in Toy Story 4, we see that while Bonnie promised Andy she would take good care of Woody, he often is not picked for playtime. She simply plucks his sheriff badge off his chest and gives it to Jessie, leaving Woody feeling rejected with the old toys in the closet.

With little playtime and no longer the leader (that’s Dolly’s role in Bonnie’s room) Woody is struggling with his purpose. Then he has a hand in Bonnie creating Forky, a spork figurine, so Woody feels responsible for him. Especially when Forky keeps throwing himself in the trash. When Forky gets lost, Woody takes it upon himself to find him and ends up meeting new adversaries and old friends in an antique shop and a traveling carnival.

From the promos, we all know Woody finds his old flame, Bo Peep, and I love how her story has turned. The beginning of the film, shows us how she left Andy’s house on a sad rainy night. We find out that years later she decided that instead of wasting away in the antique shop for someone to take her home, she became a lost toy, traveling around the park and sandbox in an RC car disguised as a skunk. She’s come a long way from her bonnet wearing days playing the damsel in distress in Andy’s room.

While there’s a lot to think about in this film, one of the best things about it is how comical it is. Forky flinging himself into the trash never gets old. Buzz’s way of discovering his inner voice is perfect for his character. Duke Kaboom’s backstory and posing is hilarious. Ducky and Bunny (voiced by Key and Peele) are wonderful new characters that add some seriously silly moments (especially in the credits). And my favorite laughs came from how the toys left in the RV keep stalling for time and eventually try to navigate the car, without Bonnie’s parents figuring them out.

To be really honest, I thought there was too much Forky and not enough of our old favorite characters. I mean what’s going on with Buzz and Jessie these days? There was so much with them in 3. But this isn’t their story, it’s Woody’s journey, and Forky is a big part of helping Woody get there. I get it, sorry, but I felt like we were left hanging, like that Combat Carl looking for a high five.

There’s a lot of meandering around with Forky to get to the heart of the matter in this story. It’s all about dealing with rejection and finding purpose in your life, even if it’s not quite how you imagined it. Forky wasn’t on board to be a toy at first, but with Woody’s help comes around to the idea. Accepting new roles will come for other key characters as well. And while the ending is not quite the amazing tear jerker 3 gave us, it’s still wonderfully bittersweet.

“I can’t let you throw yourself away.”

Missing Link

In Laika’s newest animated film, a British adventurer, Lionel (Hugh Jackman), seeks out the elusive sasquatch. He does this not for research or sport, but to secure a place in some high society club. You see, his peers look down Lionel. They don’t consider his work worthy and they just plain don’t like him or want him around. Nonetheless, Lionel is determined to prove the small-minded men wrong.

After a long journey, Lionel finds the sasquatch (Zach Galifianakis) and to his surprise, he’s a delightful and gentle creature. He’s sweet, polite, speaks perfect English and all around his cave are books he stole from the village to teach himself to read and write. Lionel dubs the creature, Mr. Link (though he later names himself Susan). Susan tells Lionel that he’s lonely and wants to live where other creatures like him are. Together, and picking up Lionel’s old colleague, Adelina (Zoe Saldana) they journey across the world to the Himalayas to find Shangri La, a fabled city of yetis.

As with all of Laika’s previous films, the stop-motion animation here is a sight to behold. Every movement is so fluid and every character’s expressions are so rich it’s easy to forget we’re watching photographed puppets. Susan especially feels so authentic and unique, from his shape and size to the way his arms swing. The team at Laika are masters of their craft and it shines in every frame. Stay during the credits for an amazing behind-the-scenes look at that beautiful scene with the elephant. My son saw it and literally said, “Wow!”

There are two main lessons in Missing Link that I rarely see in movies aimed at children. First, is the sad realization that not everyone is going to like you/want to be your friend/want you around. This comes up right away with Lionel, and sadly later with Susan. In real life, it can be a difficult pill for a kid to swallow, and like Lionel, kids might go about trying to win the haters over. However the second lesson helps deter from that: You don’t need to seek out validation. Simply knowing your own worth is gratifying and no one else needs to tell you so. I love the way Susan,  Lionel and Adelina come to terms with themselves and allow themselves to be happy and free.

“You are a great man, but I deserve greater.”

Ralph Breaks the Internet

These days, most people with access to a movie theater use, rely and basically live on the internet. I know I do. And you wouldn’t be reading this without it. However, a lot of children have a much more limited access to all that is out there on the internet and you may be wondering how in the world could Disney make a film that engages kids when it is about and takes place in the internet. But, come on, it’s Disney. They figured that out.

In this sequel, Vanellope (voice by Sarah Silverman) has lost interest in her game world, so like a good friend, Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) tries to help by making her a new track. But like everything Ralph does, it’s a wreck that ends with the arcade game’s steering wheel broken. With no wheel, the game gets unplugged and all the characters from Sugar Rush are homeless. To try to save Sugar Rush, Ralph and Vanellope venture into the newly plugged in wi-fi and venture across the internet in search of a replacement steering wheel on Ebay. After winning the auction, they hit a snag realizing they need money (not just the big number they shouted out). They embark on a quest trying to earn money playing video games in racing game spliced with Grand Theft Auto, Slaughter Race, where they make a strong ally and decide to make money by getting likes on the Disney fictional brand of YouTube. Along the way, Ralph and Vanellope question their friendship and… you guess it, Ralph breaks the whole internet.

I took my four year old son to see the movie and was curious how he would react to it. His knowledge of the internet is limited to the few cute videos and Facebook posts I show him, so basically nothing. Yes, many jokes sailed over his head. But when I asked him about the story, he understood it as well as a kid his age could. He described YouTube-land as “the place where people give hearts to videos” and OhMyDisney as “Disney World”.

And that’s what I think makes this film work so well. The creatives at Disney took the vast, complicated, completely 2D idea of the internet and turned it into a tangible world that kids can watch their favorite characters interact with in a way we cannot. Every user has a little square headed avatar running around and they can travel to different sites, view Instagram posts or Pinterest boards like an art gallery and even be distracted by pop-ups. The top layer looks like a vast, bright city with towering skyscrapers for the big sites like Google. Best of all, there’s the seedy lower level of the internet, full of spam, the dark web to buy viruses and crumbling buildings boasting dial up connection. The creative team here has thought of it all and kept it delightfully PG.

Since the trailer dropped, everyone has been waiting for the big princesses scene. Vanellope, unaware that she herself is a technically a Disney princess, glitches her way into where they all hang out. It’s fun to see so many classic and loved characters all together and their individual personalities shine in this little bit. Best of all, meeting the princesses helps propel Vanellope on her character arc. It’s not just a cute gimmick for little girls, it actually moves the story forward, and I expect nothing less from Disney these days.

Overall, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a fun, fast paced, visually inspired family film. It’s story about evolving friendship is unique and sweet, just like the characters it revolves around. Now give this post a few likes, shares and get breaking the internet. And I suggest staying after the credits for a good laugh.

“That looks so fun! Can I be a popup? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I?…”

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Never have I seen a film like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The animation style is like nothing I had ever seen before. It’s so exciting and refreshing, yet hard to describe. It looks a little like the creators took inspiration from the style in A Scanner Darkly, made it a whole lot better and then gave it some comic book and graffiti art embellishments. I didn’t see the film in 3D, it’s not my preference, but I bet it would work great, especially how some images that are supposed to be out of focus have a 3D style on them. Like I said, it’s so hard to describe the visual brilliance of this film, so I highly suggest you run out to the theaters and see it.

This fun, kid friendly Spider-Man movie focuses on a young teen from Brooklyn, Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore). Though he’s a bright kid at a new fancy school, he focuses on his graffiti style art, slapping stickers where he thinks his dad, a cop, won’t notice. His uncle is more encouraging of his art. After Miles is bitten by a strange spider and given super powers he freaks out and runs into Spiderman who is trying to shut down this crazy, huge inter dimensional portal blaster collider thingy. Before he can, Spider-Man DIES! (I know, right?) And leaves Miles with the task to shut the portal collider down for good. But Miles is just a kid who doesn’t know how to use his powers yet. Thankfully, that portal gun opened up a few other dimensions and brought other Spider-people into his universe. They’ll have to work together to destroy the portal collider.

Of all the Spider-Man movies I’ve seen (which is all in the past 20 years except the Andrew Garfield one), this is the most fun, charismatic and visually striking. Miles is such a relatable kid that we love him throughout his whole origin story. I think the older-sadder-sweatpants wearing Spider-Man is a great addition for laughs and keeps adults more invested. Spider-Gwen adds some girl power. And when dark and angsty Spider Noir (Nicholas Cage),  Looney Tunes inspired Spider-Ham and anime style Peni Parker come in, they work together to well for being so hilariously different. I loved the running rubix cube joke.

I took my four year old son to see Spider-Man around Christmas and realized during the film that I had taught him nothing about Spider-Man. Just another one of my many parental shortcomings. However, my kid was not lost, in fact he came home excited to tell his father all about Spider-Man. (“Did you know Spider-Man got super ‘cause a rainbow spider bited him?!”) Though I think some of the story was over his head, he enjoyed it, wasn’t afraid of anything and it kept his attention. And can I say it is so refreshing to take my little kid to a superhero movie that isn’t Disney? Thank you Marvel!

But the thing that makes Spider-Verse so great is the way it shows us that anyone can be behind the mask. With infinite spider-verses, there are so many chances to be the hero. The fact that this story focuses on an African-American Puerto Rican kid from Brooklyn is wonderful and I’m so happy that my little boy gets to see so much diversity in film at an early age.

The Oscar nominations are mere weeks away from being announced and I can feel my spidey senses tingling for this film, especially after the Golden Globes win. The animation here is so unique, cool, colorful and fun for all ages I can feel myself taking a leap of faith and saying this film will absolutely be nominated for best animated feature. Will it win animated feature? Honestly, I hope so.

“That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed without a doubt, a real superhero.”

Monster House

As a parent, I understand how hard it can be to find an appropriate Halloween movie that can interest adults and give kids a mild scare. Monster House is a rare gem that delivers on just that. Back when the film was in theaters in 2006 I was still in the movie business (selling popcorn) and took my little brother to see it. We both thought it was great, him in his early teens and I in my early 20s. This Halloween season, it has become a favorite of my four year old son and I’m so happy to see him enjoy it.

In Monster House, DJ lives across the street from Mr. Nebbercracker (voiced by Steve Buscemi), the creepy old man on the block, and his equally creepy house. Whenever a ball lands on his lawn or a little girl veers her tricycle off the sidewalk, Nebbercracker runs out yelling, “Get off my lawn!” and takes the toy, scaring the kids away. Lately, DJ has been watching his every move.

While DJ’s parents are away, just days before Halloween, his friend, Chowder, comes over and his new basketball lands on the forbidden lawn. As DJ darts across the lawn to retrieve the ball, Nebbercracker is on him, physically shaking the kid and suddenly collapses on top of him. After the ambulance leaves, the kids think Nebbercracker is dead and DJ is riddled with guilt. All night, it seems like the house is watching him. He even gets a call from across the street, knowing no one is home. And soon, the house is outright attacking people and snatching them up, throwing them inside. Could it be Nebbercracker from beyond the grave? Or could the house hold a mystery even more macabre?

The unique design used in Monster House sets it apart from most other animated films. The characters are a slightly stylized out of reality but not created to be overly cute, like in so many other animated films. Nebbercracker and Bones are both wonderfully creepy characters in very different ways while DJ and his friends are lovably dorky kids. Even better, the imagination and style used to turn a creepy house into an all out monster works great here. Little details go a long way, from the way shingles ruffle and the porch contorts to teeth to the interior’s dark and cavernous appearance.

Monster House is a lovably creepy film perfect for Halloween that will engage the whole family. Some themes might be a bit much for very young kids, but the older ones will appriciate a cartoon that isn’t watered down too muh. And while you may think you know how this story is going to go (duh, the house is a monster) there is more here than you would have expected. Way back when I first saw this film, my brother and I really enjoyed the major revelation and how it became a very redeeming factor. That and the high caliber animation helped seal the film’s Oscar nomination for best animated feature. I suggest enjoying this film as a family before trick-or-treating.

“Chowder, your ball just landed on Nebbercracker’s lawn. It doesn’t exist anymore…”

Incredibles 2

It’s been fourteen years since we first met Pixar’s family of superheroes, yet their story picks up from the moment the first film ended. It opens with the Parr family springing into action to stop The Underminer, while they juggle babysitting Jack Jack, and it ensures us that this film will be full of fun, family focused, fast paced action.

However, the day does does not end well for the Parrs, as superheroes are still illegal. The agent who has been helping them stay undercover for years can only offer them two weeks in a motel before they’re on their own. So when a wealthy, nostalgic benefactor hoping to make supers legal again offers Elastigirl a job, complete with a swanky high tech house for the family, the Parrs take it. Soon a new villain rises, targeting Elastigirl and could jeopardize the plan to legalize supers.

While Helen (Elastigirl voice by Holly Hunter) is off doing superhero work, Bob (Mr. Incredible voiced by Craig T. Nelson)  is holding down the fort taking care of the kids. His challenges add some engaging comedy to this family movie. In his first day he has to deal with his Violet’s first date, Dash’s math homework and a baby who won’t stay in his crib on top of being envious of his wife’s work. It only gets worse as Bob discovers Jack-Jack’s powers.

One of the funniest scenes shows Jack-Jack fighting his first enemy: a raccoon in the yard. Many of his powers are revealed as Jack-Jack moves through the glass door, morphs into his monster-baby form, bursts into flames throwing lawn chairs and splits into multiple clones, chasing off the hilariously bewildered raccoon. And when Bob finds him, the excitement about his baby’s new powers is soon met with the insurmountable task of keeping him safe. Thankfully, Edna is willing to help, in her own fabulous way.

This is a rare superhero movie that is family friendly and still satisfies all ages. I loved the way Elastigirl was allowed to shine on her own, as well as a few new female supers. My kid enjoyed the Jack-Jack scenes. And while my husband enjoyed it, he of course found flaws in how similar the plots of both the original and this sequel are, but I won’t spill any spoilers on that. And honestly, I didn’t mind, the stories themselves are unique enough.

One thing I want to warn viewers about is the fact that the film uses a visual effect similar to a strobe light in multiple parts of the film. For those sensitive to such visuals, beware or wait to watch the film at home. It was pretty intense in a dark, crowded theater.

Through all the action and excitement, the heart of the film is the story of the Parr family. While their powers are super, their problems are wonderfully relatable for many modern families. The combination of stress and support between Bob and Helen when they switch household roles is something many families understand and the results are engaging and entertaining for all ages. And as always, these supers are stronger together. Everyone can leave this film seeing the supers within their own home.

“Done properly, parenting is a heroic act… done properly.”

The Boss Baby

Once the Oscar nominations were announced, there was a sudden backlash against The Boss Baby. How could such tripe be nominated for Best Animated Feature over popular franchise gems like The Lego Batman Movie or Cars 3? In my opinion, easily, like taking candy from a baby.

You see, Dreamworks’ The Boss Baby isn’t about a baby in a suit hungry for power. Not really anyway. The real story is about an imaginative seven-year-old named Tim and how he processes the news that he is going to be a big brother. As soon as his parents gently ask him if he’d like to have a baby brother, we are launched into Tim’s fantasy about where babies come from, how his new brother would arrive and how it would take over and change his family and his life. And the whole thing would be because of a big conspiracy, where a corporation of babies are competing for love against their rival: puppies.

How silly, right? But the mind of a kid is silly. And it allows the movie to take some very fun and imaginative liberties with what these babies and Tim can do. What would really be a humdrum play-date, turns into a chase scene in the back yard complete with epic exploding fireballs and the Boss Baby being thrown through an upstairs window. Tim’s Gandalf inspired alarm clock becomes a cute sidekick. A puppy product launch involves actually launching a rocket filled with puppies. And my favorite scene is when the brothers sneak onto a plane full of Elvis impersonators headed to Vegas! So many animated films lately strive for realism or draw the line very neatly between fantasy and reality, while The Boss Baby goes for broke and blurs the line in such a fun way that I think it works and adds to the film’s charm.

For my growing family, The Boss Baby has become a favorite lately. It came on Netflix not long after my husband and I told our three-year-old that he’s going to be a big brother. While he has his own questions and worries, watching a story about a kid learning to love and accept the new baby, and his new role as a big brother is helpful. Sure, they have a rocky start, as I expect my son and his future sibling will, but my son always ends the movie with his hand on my belly, asking if the baby can feel him yet. It’s helping him bond already and the film’s message about love is strong enough that a three-year-old gets it.

Sure, The Boss Baby isn’t some cutting edge animated masterpiece, but to write it off as a running Alec Baldwin baby in a suit gag doesn’t do it justice. It’s a cute, surprisingly smart, film about love that families, especially growing families, can enjoy together.

“This is not about Lamb-lamb!”