Blu-ray Review: Learn a Lesson by Not Seeing ‘Parental Guidance’

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CHICAGO – “Parental Guidance” is embarassingly bad. Why on Earth Billy Crystal chose this anemic, cliched comedy to essentially come back from retirement is something I’ll never understand. Maybe the star of “City Slickers” and Oscar legend thought this would be his “Meet the Parents”. It’s not.

Rating: 1.0/5.0

What really baffles me about “Parental Guidance” is not the predictable comedy that’s basically about as fresh as a stand-up comedian who does a bit about his dad leaving the VCR blinking on 12:00 but the emphasis on gross-out humor. At one point, a kid pees on an X Games half pipe being skated by Tony Hawk. I think this is officially the moment that skateboarding becomes no longer cool. If the lame jokes weren’t bad enough the lessons about parenting and generational gaps are just embarrassing. Subplots about imaginary friends and speech therapy are handled in ways that Nick Jr. writers would call silly. None of them ring true in the slightest. And Bette Midler, who also practically came out of retirement, feels totaly wasted. When she and Crystal break into a horribly conceived and directed musical number where two grown people sing “Book of Love” with dance moves in their kitchen, I started to wonder how many agents got fired. And I don’t need to tell you that Marisa Tomei deserves so much better. So do you. And your kids. And your grandkids.

Parental Guidance was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 26, 2013
Photo credit: Fox

Synopsis:
Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei prove that laughter is relative in this hilarious comedy that’s fun for the whole family!

Old-school grandparents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) get more than they bargained for when they get stuck babysitting their type-A daughter’s (Tomei) overprotected kids. But things go from hectic to hysterical when Artie realizes the kids are running the house with their newfangled technology. By playing by his own rules, which include sugary snacks, old fashioned games and tough love, Artie manages to outsmart the kids and achieve the impossible- bring the family closer together!

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary By Director Andy Fickman And Billy Crystal
o Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary By Director Andy Fickman
o Gag Reel
o In Character With Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei
o Digital Copy Included

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com