Journal & Topics Media Group

‘War With Grandpa’ Gets Old


Robert De Niro in “The War with Grandpa.”

“The War with Grandpa” (94 min., Rated PG-13 for some crude humor and thematic elements). Rating: 4 out of 10.

I was surprised to learn when I looked into “The War with Grandpa,” that it was filmed in 2017 and was intended to be released in February 2018 — and kept getting pushed back due to studio and distribution squabbling, falling into “release purgatory” until just now…2-1/2 years later! You’d think part of the reason was because the movie stunk — but after seeing it, it’s just a small part of it. It’s just one of those unfortunate things that happens when a battle over distribution rights turns ugly.

That said, I did have some trepidations before seeing it…and as it appears for good reason. For a film to feature the likes of Robert De Niro, who is ungracefully fading into the sunset, Uma Thurman, Rob Riggle, Cheech Marin, Jane Seymour and Christopher Walken — and capitalize on the teen popularity of Laura Marano, 24 playing a sex-on-the-brain 16-year-old teenager, you’d think the product would be better than this sophomoric, thinly layered, unfunny material. Though those names shine bright on the marquee, the real star is Oakes Fegley, 15 playing a 12-year-old son of mom (Thurman) and dad (Riggle), who is forced to vacate his spacious bedroom to make way for his grandpa, played by 77-year-old De Niro.

In fact, Cheech Marin is 74, Jane Seymour is 69, and Christopher Walken is 77…same as De Niro. You have to ask yourself what is a stellar elderly cast doing in a kid-oriented comedy like this? I’m sure there is a behind-the-scenes reason for it — but for what’s on the screen and for all the flack being hurled back-and-forth between Peter (Fegley) and Ed (De Niro), it just makes little sense as to why these iconic stars are in this film. I know director Tim Hill has done significant work in film and TV writing and directing children’s films and shows, but he is not a pedigree filmmaker to draw big stars…despite his impressive resume. Perhaps the adaptation of the award-winning child’s book by Robert Kimmel in 1984 drew some attention.

Regardless, the premise behind “Grandpa” is about a grudge match — or war — between a curmudgeon oldster Ed (though good-natured) and his 12-year-old upstart, high-strung grandson over custody of his bedroom. Ed’s daughter, Sally (Thurman), insisted he move in with them after the death of Ed’s wife — Sally’s mom. Alone, dejected and depressed, Sally insists Ed sell his house and move into their spacious two-story house with a livable attic. Peter gets kicked upstairs, Ed moves in and all manner of silly squabbles over turf ownership ensues wherein Peter won’t go down swinging until he gets his room back. He announces a declaration of war that Ed tries to avoid, but there’s no turning back when pride is on the line. The war is then on…which involves one elaborate stunt or prank after another between them until the silly matter gets way out of hand. Just who is the child here? I know…I know…boys will be boys.

With pranks and booby traps being unleashed in a salvo of one-upmanship pride, man vs. boy — even Sally and Arthur (Riggle), her husband, are conveniently oblivious to the childish behavior. Of course, the elder statesman and upstart grandchild come to their senses, but only after a myriad of prankish tricks seal the deal…it’s a tie. You can see these kind of tricks and stunts being pulled in “Home Alone,” but the joke is on us…this stuff just isn’t that funny as much as De Niro brings sweet charm, humor and a warm tone to his grandfatherly image. I know, it’s all in good fun, but this sort of infantile material is more akin to a Disney-made comedy with Dean Jones in the 1960s.

Cast in supporting roles are Marin, Seymour and Walken as friends of De Niro’s and who bring a unique sensibility and humor to the story that would suffer if they weren’t in it. You could call them comic relief…or sidekicks to the dull hilarity of the film. However, if anyone in the entire cast pulled off the best jokes, it’s Christopher Walken. What a treasure he is. In retrospect, it was nice to see these aging, great stars, as much as it’s only in spurts. Suffice to say I think we deserved better from this film.

Support local news by subscribing to the Journal & Topics in print or online.

One response to “‘War With Grandpa’ Gets Old”

  1. sumon says:

    nice and informitive post!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.