Makes the average Dysfunctional family seem normal

Rating: 7/10 (26 July 2006)

I saw this movie at a special pre-release screening at a drive-in theater with about 100 VW buses in attendance (including mine). It was a local LA radio station (KROQ) promotion.
I had heard the buzz about this film and watched the trailer so I had some expectations going in. While I enjoyed the story and the characters, with great performances by Alan Arkin (grandpa), Steve Carell (Frank), and little Abigail Breslin (as Olive), but I felt that a little more character development and emotion would have given the plot more punch.
The VW bus personality and quirks known so well to us bus owners made it fun to watch. Whenever something broke or malfunctioned the crowd at the drive-in cheered and applauded. If anything I recommend this movie to VW bus owners. For everyone else, you might want to wait for the DVD release.
In summary, I liked this movie but expected a bit more. Most of the funny scenes are in the trailer. Good acting, especially Alan Arkin (he needs to do more projects these days), But a soft plot and a lot of build up to an anti-climactic (weird) ending left me a little flat.
~Randawg.