Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kids rule the world but learn to be responsible, too.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Scientists at Cuddledyne Corporation have built a device that's meant to translate baby language, but when a trial goes awry, the entire town of Fairfield is turned upside down. Suddenly, all of the parents are acting like kids, and the kids are running the show. When Sammy (Billy Unger) and Carla (Ariel Winter) return from a vacation with their grandparents, they observe the topsy-turvy situation and have to figure out how to get things back to normal.
Is It Any Good?
Considering its chaotic, comedic premise, OPPOSITE DAY delivers some solid family messages that just might stick. What would happen if kids ruled the world? Mass hysteria? Free milkshakes at the ice cream shop? Or business as usual? This movie has a lot of fun exploring the "what if" facet of this question. Where some movies might have taken liberty with lewd language or risque behavior, this movie keeps the irony pretty clean.
Thanks to expert performances by veteran actors (Dick Van Patten of Eight Is Enough and Renee Taylor from The Nanny), the humorous moments deliver a little soul as well. The kids who wanted to rule the world realize that with power comes -- surprise -- responsibility. It's also refreshing to see kids learn lessons about respecting parents and grandparents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about responsibility. Who's responsible for the most duties in your house? Is that what being grown up is all about? What would happen in your house if the kids had all the responsibility?
Talk about the humor in the movie. What parts did you laugh at, and why? Why are wild scenarios like this one so funny? What lessons are taught through humor?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 16, 2010
- Cast : Dick Van Patten , George Wendt , Pauly Shore
- Director : R. Michael Givens
- Studio : Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 81 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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