Parental Guidance Reviews

I don't know if it's reassuring or scary that in such an American film the kids seems to be UK-style victims of both health and safety rules and political correctness at the same time.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

The underlying issues make for a surprisingly relevant film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Crystal, Midler and Tomei make a perfect combination for this funny but heartwarming family film

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Warm and schmaltzy, Parental Guidance is the movie equivalent of comfort food. It's funny and warmhearted, not terribly ambitious, but it does the things it sets out to do well.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler team up as goofball grandparents in a cheesy, by-the-numbers slice of computer-written family comedy designed primarily as multiplex fodder for the holidays.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

Billy Crystal delivers nostalgic, heartwarming fun for young children, parents and grandparents.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Surprisingly enjoyable family comedy, enlivened by likeable comic performances and a handful of decent gags ...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

It's a shame they didn't choose a stronger project than Andy Fickman's family comedy, but you could certainly ask for worse babysitters.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Thanks to Crystal and Midler playing comfortable versions of the personas we've come to know, it's actually better than you would guess.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Does it work? You betcha. There are smiles and tears, love and affirmations, a few funny jokes and a lot of easy sentimentality.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Parental Guidance is an engaging comedy that bridges multiple generation gaps, making it that rare movie that grandparents, their kids, and their kids can enjoy.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4

If you have youngsters to entertain this holiday season, it provides some amiable and much needed distraction from the ugliness going on in the real world.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

The end result should appeal to audiences, including bonding grandparents and grandkids, looking for a little undemanding holiday cheer.

Full Review

Thanks to a wonderful cast and Crystal's good intentions, Parental Guidance is a much better movie than one might expect it to be.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler playing grandpa and grandma is in itself a funny picture, although only as a comic sketch.

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The film's gags are predictable and fairly lame, but the stars' diehard fans will enjoy Crystal's snarky one-liners and, yes, Midler's singing.

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Borscht Belt humor combines with serious schmaltz to produce this gummy formulaic family comedy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

People with brains they can't turn on and off for 90 minute stretches of holiday family togetherness will be driven to take some kind of painkiller before the final credits roll. Everyone else will be fine

Full Review | Original Score: 0.5/5

If 'Parental Guidance' is the drivel that's passing for family fare this winter, then it's best to just keep your family warm and entertained at home.

Full Review | Original Score: .5/4

... a shameless mix of obnoxious slapstick and relentless bodily-function humor that results in shots to the crotch for Crystal and blows to the brain for moviegoers.

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