This movie was the most mid movie I've ever seen.
Bright colors burst off the screen in this movie, which is complemented by Jane Musky's vivid production design. Wood's portrayal of Nate Foster feels like a job he was made for, as he brings a lot of charisma and wit to the screen. However, no aspect of the film's vision is fully realized. This is a musical with very little music, with only two musical numbers throughout the movie. Unfortunately, both numbers feature tunes that are unlikely to become popular and are easily forgotten.
There are numerous efforts at humor in the film. Some of them make it to the ground, while others do not. The inclusion of Lisa Kudrow of Friends fame as Aunt Heidi, Nate's aunt who is a struggling actress in New York who wants to help Nate achieve his ambition, may be the film's main lure for older audiences. Her performance is erratic, as she stutters her way through the picture and occasionally gives a humorous phrase. The picture contains plot conveniences that only a family film can get away with, but it also has tone issues.
Better Nate Than Ever is such a positive piece of entertainment that it appears to be frightened of being anything else. Unfortunately, the dramatic moments don't pay off as well as they might, particularly a subplot involving Aunt Heidi and Nate's mother, which feels artificial because the film fails to engage the audience in their dispute. A subplot involving the two leads' relationship is also present, but it is ultimately ignored. The movie is watchable, offering some fun moments of musical joy, but is too mediocre for Disney+ subscribers to choose unless the viewers are young musical theater lovers with dreams of visiting the Big Apple.
Bright colors burst off the screen in this movie, which is complemented by Jane Musky's vivid production design. Wood's portrayal of Nate Foster feels like a job he was made for, as he brings a lot of charisma and wit to the screen. However, no aspect of the film's vision is fully realized. This is a musical with very little music, with only two musical numbers throughout the movie. Unfortunately, both numbers feature tunes that are unlikely to become popular and are easily forgotten.
There are numerous efforts at humor in the film. Some of them make it to the ground, while others do not. The inclusion of Lisa Kudrow of Friends fame as Aunt Heidi, Nate's aunt who is a struggling actress in New York who wants to help Nate achieve his ambition, may be the film's main lure for older audiences. Her performance is erratic, as she stutters her way through the picture and occasionally gives a humorous phrase. The picture contains plot conveniences that only a family film can get away with, but it also has tone issues.
Better Nate Than Ever is such a positive piece of entertainment that it appears to be frightened of being anything else. Unfortunately, the dramatic moments don't pay off as well as they might, particularly a subplot involving Aunt Heidi and Nate's mother, which feels artificial because the film fails to engage the audience in their dispute. A subplot involving the two leads' relationship is also present, but it is ultimately ignored. The movie is watchable, offering some fun moments of musical joy, but is too mediocre for Disney+ subscribers to choose unless the viewers are young musical theater lovers with dreams of visiting the Big Apple.