Even after being around for nearly 20 years, Dreamworks continues to play second-fiddle in comparison to other animation companies. Failing to develop a major franchise since Shrek, the studio has struggled in comparison to Disney and Despicable Me creators Illumination Entertainment.
In a desperate attempt to retain their box office credibility, we know have The Boss Baby. The film follows Tim, a single child whose world is turned upside down when a new baby arrives. Dressed in a suit and voiced by Alec Baldwin, the baby teams up with Tim in order to complete his mission.
Based off the dreadful marketing material, I expected The Boss Baby to be a painfully unfunny time. While its nowhere near that bad, its a middling animated film that will be forgotten by its audience instantly.
Helping this film’s cause is star Alec Baldwin, who brings his signature deadpan comedic style. Even when the material isn’t on the page, Baldwin gives it his all, delivering a few laughs just through his comedic talents.
The Boss Baby isn’t without its solid moments. The film is at its best when director Tom McGrath runs wild, creating some stylish and engaging moments playing off the kids imagination. While it can be telegraphed from a mile away, the film’s wrap-up is effectively sweet.
However, much of this film is about as by-the-numbers one could get with an animated film. From its painfully obvious jokes playing to its adults to its lack of substance, this feels like an animated film that would have come out a decade ago when the art form appealed only to the youngest of kids.
Story-wise, this film is woefully aimless. Screenwriter Michael McCullers takes the film’s high-concept set-up and creates nothing of note with it, as the story feels contrived and thin throughout. The humor here is not much better, with the film opting for more silly psychical gags over actual jokes. It’s a one joke movie, and that joke gets old fast.
Almost every aspect of this film is formulaic, with its gags and themes feeling like leftovers. Every plot point can be seen coming from a mile away, while the action sequences here are only there to reach a quota from the studio. Nothing here feels original or thoughtful in the slightest, with Dreamworks seemingly playing it as safe as possible after a run of underperforming films.
The Boss Baby wastes its intriguing premise on cheap gags and a stale story. Kids and adults alike are likely to forget this film ever existed hours after viewing.