Getting Even With Dad MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1

Well, Mac is back! Macaulay Culkin that is, who plays 11-year-old Tim Gleason, son of small-time crook Ray Gleason (Ted Danson). Most of his life Timmy has been ignored by his dad and feels lonely. He devises a scheme to capture his dad's attention by hiding the valuable rare coins his father has just stolen. Timmy won't return them until his dad agrees to spend an entire week with him. This leads to a week of fun-filled adventures as Ray takes Timmy on an outing to a Giant's baseball game, the museum and fishing. Then, a female rookie cop (Glenne Headly) stumbles onto Ray's plan and follows him around town to recover the coins. She quits trying to trap him when she sees how badly Ray needs to develop a relationship with his son. Eventually, Ray must make a difficult decision about his son and the coins. GETTING EVEN WITH DAD is a feel-good movie with a strong message about honesty and the relationship between a dad and his son.

Still, GETTING EVEN WITH DAD is a mixed bag. Parents should exercise discernment before taking their children to see the film. Crude language occurs a number of times and regular profanity abounds. There is also a recurrence of HOME ALONE slapstick violence, as Tim outsmarts both the bad guys and the cops. One criminal is the brunt of most of the battering as he falls down steps, gets caught on a fishhook and punched in the face. These antics do not cause any serious injury, however. Ray tries to persuade Timmy that stealing is okay. Thankfully, Timmy stands firmly rooted in his principles and rejects his father's suggestions. It is somewhat disconcerting, however, that the child is the moral example to the father. There is also a brief bar scene which includes sexually suggestive female dancing. These elements make this film questionable entertainment despite its positive message.

Preview Reviewer: Krista Kay Bontrager and John Evans
Distributor: MGM, 10000 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232