The War with Grandpa

Not to be confused with 2016's Dirty Grandpa, which also starred Robert De Niro as a feisty senior, The War with Grandpa is a much gentler proposition. A throwback to the goofy Disney family comedies of the 1960s, the film sees doddery Grandpa (De Niro) move in with his daughter (Uma Thurman) and her family, displacing young Peter (Oakes Fegley) from his own bedroom. Peter declares war; Grandpa retaliates, and soon the tit-for-tat escalates (Grandpa's shaving cream swapped for foam sealant; Peter's bed booby-trapped). Wily old Grandpa also has a secret weapon: his own gang of ancient homies (Christopher Walken, Cheech Marin) to provide strategic backup. Yes, it's a ridiculously starry cast for a film this slight, but everyone involved is serious about making the broad physical comedy work. The result is that no matter how perfunctory the subplots, improbable the action sequences and corny the humour, the feel-good appeal wins through. And, praise be, De Niro's almost entirely abandoned the comedy gurning!