Getting Even with Dad

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: June 17, 1994

CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION

31	METASCORE Generally unfavorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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Critic Reviews

Critic score Publication By date

Roger Ebert

The movie never convinced me that much chemistry existed between the cop and the ex-con. And, for that matter, I wasn't much moved by Macaulay Culkin's performance as the smart little waif. Read full review

John Hartl

The picture is part slapstick comedy, part tearjerker, but the mixture rarely works, and sometimes it's actively irritating. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

Culkin is -- well, Culkin is Culkin, cute and malleable, absolutely empty, absolutely precious, absolutely irritating. [17 Jun 1994]

Jackie Potts

Getting Even With Dad halfheartedly aims to be another Home Alone, pitting inventive Timmy against bumbling Bobby and Carl. But the hijinks aren't nearly cartoonish or ingenious enough; instead, the movie is tinged with desperate, mean-spirited humor. [17 Jun 1994, p.G4]

Jay Boyar

Home Alone-style slapstick with occasional (almost random) heart-tugging. [17 Jun 1994, p.27]

Gary Thompson

It's formatted entertainment aimed at undiscriminating children, full of stale little bits like music video interludes, and obvious rehashing of Home Alone situations in which Culkin's resourceful character outsmarts adults. [17 Jun 1994, p.57]

Peter Stack

Though far from memorable, it's a moderately charming number calculated to radiate a certain Father's Day glow. [17 Jun 1994, p.C3]

John Petrakis

Perhaps blackmail isn't an easy subject to warm up to, or robbery the best ground to rebuild a relationship on, but with a little care, some added ingredients and a bit more spice, Getting Even With Dad could have been a satisfying meal and not just an afternoon snack. [17 Jun 1994, p.H]

Glenn Kenny

Culkin and Danson develop some comic chemistry that’s disarming only if you haven’t tired of both actors’ patented shticks by now. Read full review

Steve Persall

It's genial entertainment, packed with the sort of nonsense kids love and a family-values message parents can respect, but it simply isn't focused or funny enough to convince anyone that Culkin - or co-star Ted Danson for that matter - has the chops for lasting stardom. [17 Jun 1994, p.8]

Staff (Not Credited)

The script is formula and so is the direction, which leaves the acting. According to the credits, Danson had an acting coach, but he's a warm enough presence to be able to carry a film as slight as this without needing one; instead the coach should have worked with Culkin, who can't even eat a sandwich convincingly. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Neither Macaulay Culkin nor Ted Danson has improved his luck in selecting projects with this schizophrenic comedy, which can't decide if it wants to be broadly farcical or fuzzily heartwarming. While it fares better on the latter front, pic doesn't succeed on either level and should test the patience even among Culkin's peer group. Read full review

Christopher Harris

One of those unmemorable summer movies about which the only good thing you can say is that it has charm. Nothing for everyone. [17 Jun 1994]