Review: ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY

​My proud Disnerd status is far from secret but I mostly go on about their animated films and television shows. When it comes to the live action fare, it's kind of hit or miss. I mean, you don't see Tumblr and Pinterest accounts dedicated to Escape to Witch Mountain, now do you? But as mediocre as they can sometimes be, when a movie like Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day comes out, you remember that Disney magic can happen without songs four year olds obsess over.

Poor Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) - who, by the way, no one calls Alex for whatever reason - hates the cursed existence he's forced to live. Every day, pretty much everything goes wrong for the boy; he slips on air, sets fire to the science lab, has his birthday is hijacked. Life kind of sucks. His family, though are #blessed and seemingly perfect in every way - even if his father (Steve Carell) has been unemployed for months.

His mother (Jennifer Garner) has a successful career, his sister (Kerris Dorsey) is the star of the school's musical and his big brother (Dylan Minnette) is just perfect. They truly have zero worries in life. Until, that is, Alexander makes a birthday wish and accidentally turns all their good luck bad.

It's not really his fault, even if he said the words. Alexander fells that not only is his luck cursed, but that he doesn't fit in n with the family - something you can see in the vacation photo shown as he's wishing they could understand what it's like to be him. Yes, it's a comedy but there are serious moments that give it  a more real feel.

​It's 12:01 Melvin. It's my birthday. Do you feel alone in the world? I just wish they understood! I just wish they knew what it felt like to have a terrible horrible no good very bad day. - Alexander Cooper

The film really is about a sad, lonely boy who feels no one understands him. Early on, he's lying in bed asking his brother the types of questions that raise red flags. As his brother responds, Alexander slowly starts to smile and when he hears his brother say "I love you," he enthusiastically responds with, "I love you, too!"

Only when his brother comments on a cute little butt does he realize he's again being ignored, this time for a snotty, stuck up girlfriend (Kick It Up's Bella Thorne) and feels his hopes once again squashed.

But on the morning of his brithday, eveyrthing changes and Alexander gets a taste of what it's like to have things go his way for once. The same cannot be said for everyone else and soon their worlds are turned upside down.

And it's in their misfortune a great lesson is taught: no matter how bad things are, your loved ones are there for you - even your older brother who was too busy flirting with a girl to see you needed him him - and, in the end, things do work out.

The movie gets it's point across without becoming preachy or sanctimonious and with some humor some have found inappropriate (see: penis line) but those moments shouldn't detract from the family entertainment value this film supplies.

It's witty, full of plenty of playful banter, hilarious moments and fine acting, even from it's young star. So listen to your inner child and spend some time with the Coopers - and be happy you don't have to live they day they did.
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A final note: this film also has the most "mom" line ever uttered on screen.

​I’ve seen every penis in this car! - Kelly Cooper