THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9407010077
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMAR ANITAI, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
AMONG THE plethora of painfully boring and pointless summer movies, one may now include ``Getting Even With Dad.''
Ted Danson stars as a wise-cracking, fast-talking criminal. His not-so-smooth plans continually land him in the slammer. Then, enter the bratty, prepubescent son, played by Macauley Culkin.
The plot: Ted and his prison buddies are planning their last big blowout - heisting a mother lode of priceless coins. All is sure to go as planned. Then little Macauley shows up with his obnoxious grin for a week's visit. The tiny terror manages to get his little hands on the loot, blackmails Dad and friends and leaves them helplessly guessing for days.
Dad is forced to entertain ``el bratto'' by taking him to ball games, amusement parks, museums and other youth-mongering attractions. The deal sweet Macauley works is that if Dad takes him everywhere, the coins will be his at the end of the week. But then the cops get involved. Little Macauley manages to throw a few more curve balls making Dad quite unhappy. Hee-hee.
Of course all's well that ends well - Culkin saves the day and Dad sees the light. Stealing is wrong! Bad Daddy! ``Oh son, I love you. Yes, dear Dad''. .
Not only was the plot completely absurd, the script was a poorly written piece of trash. Trying desperately to attract an audience of children, it does not do its job. Ultimately, the flick is so pathetic it will appeal to no one.
Danson was completely unbelievable as the stereotypical New York tough guy. His performance was a sorry one.
Culkin's role was that of the typical vindictive brat which he has perfected. One gets the feeling that this is his true character and that these roles are not much of a challenge. Time to move on, Macauley.
Toss this loser into the miss pile. MEMO: ``Getting Even With Dad'' is rated PG. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Tamar Anitai is a rising junior at First Colonial High.
by CNB