The War With Grandpa

It depends on your tolerance for watching Robert De Niro flash people.

It's the kind of film that seems to vanish from the mind even as you're watching it.

Who knew a dodgeball game between Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Cheech Marin, Jane Seymour and a bunch of rowdy kids could be so bland?

Robert De Niro has made his share of nearly-unwatchable comedies so, although it's tempting to say The War with Grandpa is the worst, I can't say that definitively.

The fact that The War with Grandpa finally dragged itself off from the shelf is something of a win but now that we're able to see it, the real loser is us.

Edgy it's not, but everyone seems to be having a pretty good time, perhaps especially the senior class.

Considering the talent in front of the camera, one wonders why the quality of the narrative couldn't have at least been punched up a bit to at least score a few chuckles, which doesn't necessitate innuendo, either.

Robert De Niro is a charmer and a sharp opponent in this family friendly comedy that offers a nice respite in tough times.

A fun, family comedy, with some great turns from a stellar cast. It's nothing spectacular, and some of the comedy drags a little, but this performances make it a worthwhile endeavour.

The result is that no matter how perfunctory the subplots, improbable the action sequences and corny the humour, the feel-good wins through.