Watch The War with Grandpa
- PG
- 2020
- 1 hr 34 min
-
5.7 (25,469)
The War with Grandpa is a family comedy film about a boy named Peter (played by Oakes Fegley) who is forced to give up his beloved bedroom to his recently widowed grandfather, Ed (played by Robert De Niro), when he comes to live with the family. Peter is frustrated that he has been relegated to the attic and, as a result, he starts a prank war with his grandfather to win his room back.
The film is based on the popular children's book of the same name by Robert Kimmel Smith, and follows a similar storyline to the book. However, the film has been updated to be more relevant to modern audiences. For example, Peter and his friends use technology and social media to help them plan their pranks on Ed.
Robert De Niro stars as Ed, the mischievous grandfather who is initially unaware of the issues that his moving in has caused for his grandson. However, once he realizes what is going on, Ed decides to fight back and the two engage in an escalating series of practical jokes and stunts. Uma Thurman plays Sally, Peter's mother, who is caught in the middle of the conflict and tries to keep the peace between her father and her son.
The supporting cast includes Rob Riggle as Arthur, Sally's friend and neighbor who is also a contractor hired to fix up Ed's old house. He joins in on the prank war, much to the delight of Peter and Ed's other grandkids. Christopher Walken plays Jerry, Ed's best friend and fellow resident of the senior living community. He provides some comedic relief and helps Ed come up with new ideas for pranks.
The film is directed by Tim Hill, who previously directed family-friendly films such as Alvin and the Chipmunks and Hop. While the film is definitely aimed at a younger audience, it also has some humor that adults will enjoy. For example, there are some nods to classic films such as The Godfather and Rocky, which will likely go over the heads of the younger viewers but will elicit a chuckle from their parents.
The War with Grandpa is a lighthearted comedy that emphasizes the importance of family and the bonds between different generations. While the film does address some serious topics such as grief and aging, it does so in a way that is appropriate for children and doesn't detract from the overall humor and fun of the film. It's a great movie for families to watch together, and it's sure to leave you with a smile on your face.
The War with Grandpa is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 34.