The characteristic that separates Disney from other animation studios is their ability to reach audiences on multiple levels. It can be painful to watch a film like "Hoodwinked" that panders to kids with slapstick humor and juvenile themes while completely neglecting the adults that must suffer alongside their children. Compare this to a film like "Inside Out" that engages kids with fun imagery and lovable characters while striking a chord with the adults (who inevitably weep through the entire thing because of its deep thematic material). Dreamworks may not have achieved Disney-level animation with "The Boss Baby" but I applaud them for creating this story that works well on multiple levels. On one hand, kids can enjoy a fun story in which a business-class baby comes into a family in order to accomplish a secret mission. On the other hand, adults experience the same story with the understanding that the real events are being filtered through the imagination of a child as he copes with the birth of his new baby brother. It's very clever and further appeals to adults through well-executed allusions to Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings. The comedic timing is great and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It is particularly funny if you are a parent. Aside from the story, Alec Baldwin is the driving force behind this film. His signature tone of voice is perfectly suited for the baby and it wouldn't be the same with anybody else. Steve Buscemi is also a standout while the rest of the voice acting is average. "The Baby Boss" seems like another cheesy kids cartoon but it offers more than you might expect. It's style is more kid-focused than something like "Toy Story 3," but my mind was really blown by the totally different meanings of the story when viewed from the child and adult perspectives. I wouldn't nominate it for an Oscar but I'd definitely recommend it as a film that children and their parents can enjoy together.
P.S. If you are a parent with one child, you will want them to have a playmate by the end of this film.
[Pictured: The animators were very clever in transforming the adult business world into the baby business world.]
