Will The Boss Baby be a cinematic atrocity like Baby Geniuses?

The voice cast seems impressive, even though Alec Baldwin’s voice over inevitably leads to Donald Trump comparisons.

The brothers will have to set aside their rivalry in order to restore the balance of love and make things right. PHOTO: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION.

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of watching the 90s (supposed) comedy film Baby Geniuses (1999), then you’ll be forgiven for being wary of movies with talking baby protagonists.

So it comes as quite a surprise and relief that even though at first glance the upcoming movie The Boss Baby may seem like an animated rehash of the aforementioned cinematic atrocity, its trailer promises an altogether different, significantly funnier adventure.

The plot of the film revolves around the impact that the addition of a new bundle of joy has on a family.

The new arrival in this case is the Boss Baby (voiced by Alec Baldwin), a suit-clad, briefcase-carrying infant who joins the Templeton family. Much to the dismay of the seven-year-old Tim (Miles Bakshi), who sees his parents’, Mr and Mrs Templeton (Jimmy Kimmel and Lisa Kudrow), focus shift from him to his little brother.

Alec Baldwin, Lisa Kudrow, and Jimmy Kimmel in The Boss Baby (2017)Photo: IMDb


While trying to win back their affection, Tim discovers that his newest family member can actually talk. The baby, it turns out, is on a mission to find out why there isn’t enough love to go around anymore.


The brothers will supposedly have to set aside their rivalry in order to restore the balance of love and make things right.

Alec Baldwin and Miles Christopher Bakshi in The Boss Baby (2017)Photo: IMDb


Alec Baldwin and Miles Christopher Bakshi in The Boss Baby (2017)Photo: IMDb


The voice cast seems impressive, even though Alec Baldwin’s voice over (as well as the character design) inevitably leads to Donald Trump comparisons.

The basic premise of the film, which is loosely based on Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book of the same name, may not feel very inventive but it does have the potential of resonating with viewers, especially those with younger siblings.

Alec Baldwin and Miles Christopher Bakshi in The Boss Baby (2017)Photo: IMDb


While it remains to be seen how well the conspiracy elements will fare, The Boss Baby does seem to be quite amusing in the clips that focus on the family aspects of the story and the dynamics between the two brothers. As long as the mission storyline doesn’t degenerate into inanity, this DreamWorks Animation offering could potentially be quite entertaining.
WRITTEN BY: Sameen Amer
The author is a Lahore-based freelance writer and critic. She tweets as @Sameen (https://twitter.com/Sameen)

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.