On tonight’s episode of Low Expectations Theater: Boss Baby 2! I saw the original film and thought it wasn’t very good but it had moments of creativity and inventiveness (within its weird plot). And, because I’m stupid, I went to see Boss Baby: Family Business (original title of the book sequel: The Bossier Baby which is objectively a better title).
This sequel stars the original brothers all grown up. The elder brother has two daughter of his own and never gets to see his little brother (the former Boss Baby). He discovers that his baby daughter is from Baby Corp and needs him to infiltrate a school where they are teaching kids (and babies) that parents aren’t necessary. He must join forces with his young brother, get turned back into children, and go undercover.
This movie is very excitable. It operates at maximum overdrive during most scenes and really, desperately needs to take a chill pill. I can’t argue they aren’t putting the effort into the animation, but it got very tiresome to my slow-witted brain. Not to sound too much like old man yelling at clouds, but man was it exhausting.
On the other hand, I actually did come away thinking they (unlike in the first film) actually earned the wholesome family messaging. It has nice things to say about brothers and fathers and their daughters. It was actually sweet and the movie does chill out long enough to make these scenes work. Plus there’s a very nice song sung by the daughter character that worked without being (too) cloying. Or turning the movie into a musical.
Jeff Goldblum joins the cast as the movie’s villain and it makes me wonder why he hasn’t done voice work in the past. He’s got the recognizable and quirky voice and persona down, it only makes sense to toss him into an animated flick. Not sure he’s acting, but he’s definitely Jeff Goldblum.
The movie is still all over the place and super manic, but it’s got its charm and I ultimately think its a better film than the first. Not by a huge amount, but given I expected less than nothing from this unasked-for sequel, that’s kind of enough. Decent(ish) film.
Score: 71