I'm an adult, but I see the occasional kids flick I think might be accessible. And I actually enjoyed Big Fat Liar up until the last big scene, which was straight out of the worst of 1970s Disney.
With that exception, the film is modern and doesn't portray kids as miraculously more clever than the adults around them. It surprised me, and was hilarious many times, especially the performance by Paul Giamatti. Frankie Muniz is quite the actor, too. It's like an updated "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", but instead of being a wiseass teaching kids to cut school, there is a more positive (if shallow) moral theme.
Unfortunately, the genre as a whole (wacky kids vs. powerful adults adventure) has its limitations. If you want to see a wonderful one, see Cloak and Dagger (1984) with that child actor from E.T.
Who should see this film:
-- kids, parents you'll get through it
-- adults who see the occasional kids flick, but only on a rainy day
I'll give "Big Fat Liar" a surprisingly high 5 out of 10 because it was genuinely funny, but the ending devolved into yuck.
With that exception, the film is modern and doesn't portray kids as miraculously more clever than the adults around them. It surprised me, and was hilarious many times, especially the performance by Paul Giamatti. Frankie Muniz is quite the actor, too. It's like an updated "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", but instead of being a wiseass teaching kids to cut school, there is a more positive (if shallow) moral theme.
Unfortunately, the genre as a whole (wacky kids vs. powerful adults adventure) has its limitations. If you want to see a wonderful one, see Cloak and Dagger (1984) with that child actor from E.T.
Who should see this film:
-- kids, parents you'll get through it
-- adults who see the occasional kids flick, but only on a rainy day
I'll give "Big Fat Liar" a surprisingly high 5 out of 10 because it was genuinely funny, but the ending devolved into yuck.