Problem Child (1990)

Pretty Good

Awesome Movie

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This's one of the funniest movies I've seen! The main character's a trip in what he says and does. John Ritter is perfect as his exasperated father. Michael Oliver plays the orphan from hell named Junior who has been rejected more than I can count and for good reason: He's a nightmare to deal with. The jokes and gags are great! It's all worth it to see people who cross get their comeuppance as well as have Junior turn a new leaf at the end of the movie.

Well, I like it as a kid and for a while thought it might be worth a re-watch so recorded it from TV recently.It's very much a kids film and difficult to appreciate as an adult, although as a nostalgia trip it was OK.John Ritter is great as always.No significant moments worth a mention. Junior wreaks havoc on everything an everyone (proabably everyone remembers the birthday party scene as Junior launches all the present into the swimming pool and causes as much trouble as possible).By no means awful, as it is an easy watch, it is not worth a re-watch.

The movie's premise of a naughty neglected boy being adopted by a overly kind parent who ends up loving him would make a great movie, if given better writing. I would recommend the "comedy" being mostly removed and it being done as a drama.. maybe a bit of a psychological case study type movie. The premise of a kid who is different finding love and acceptance is a good movie formula(like Martian Child). Even some of the scenes could even work in the drama version.A few that spring to mind are Junior's first night when Ben has a heart to heart with his new son in the kitchen. The scene is actually nice and touching. Ben really comes off well and Junior seems like a decent kid in the scene. The other is when Ben is free of the wife and Junior and is happy till he finds the picture. Another scene I'd keep.Overall, the movie is okay. It is very mean spirited and one has to wonder as Junior sets up his nasty pranks how no one notices him doing the things. The kid is a major brat and could stand a spanking or two. Jon Ritter's character is the only really well done character in the film.The drama version wouldn't have to be that much different plot wise really. Here goes: Drop the opening of him being tossed from home to home. Just give a little exposition in dialog later. Give a bit of neglect and maybe some abuse to add weight to it. Open with the boy (give a name other than Junior (to generic))getting into some trouble and being scolded. Nothing psychotic like the comedy version. Make him an outcast still and the other kids are mean. Kid figures if he isn't liked, he will pick a role model who isn't nice... like a criminal (drop the stupid bow tie though.) Cut to the kindhearted dad and the mom. She can still be a bit of a witch and want the child for the selfless reasons. But the dad wants to be a good father and make a difference in a child's life. Heck we could make him just a single father. Keep the aggressive grandfather role. He can be the same jerk and not care for Junior since he is adopted.Junior acts out to get attention and gets in a fight with another kid who teases him. Dad sits down the son and talks him through his troubles. Kid still does stuff that is wrong but nothing like the awful "pranks" like in the 1990 version. He does it for the real reason a kid like that would. He sees any kind of attention as a good thing.Over the course of movie the boy starts to try and model himself after his new dad as he finally feels more acceptance. But when he tries to do something nice for his dad he ends up doing something really bad (like wrecking the car into a house or something). Fearing he will no longer be loved, he runs away. Dad desperately looks for his son and comes to the boy's aid. Ends with dad and son forming a bond of love and the boy beginning to heal.Cut, print, Oscar...There same basic plot and a lot of elements, but a more realistic approach. Instead of a sadistic child who laughs with glee at things that could have caused someone's death, we get a realistic scared child craving attention.

I don't really understand why this movie only got a 4 something review, or was it three? I'm not really sure, but really this movie? Gosh, I remember this when I was small. Every time it would be previewed in the TV, I would sit down and wait for a laugh fest. I remember laughs, wheezes and me holding my stomach while watching this movie. I don't care if it's real or not but then again, exaggerations are okay if they give you a good time. Right? Or am I right?Also, the other thing that I really liked was that this child Jr. was a genius (or not because it's purely fictitious). I love the schemes and the fact that he handled all of it with a maniacal and evil grin was even better. Gosh!I love this kid! And he looks like a little angel with those freckles on his nose! Awwww... Who wouldn't love that kid?