Time to put ‘Boss Baby’ in the corner?
The Dreamworks sequel to 2017’s (checks notes) Oscar-nominated “The Boss Baby” again pushes a simple, funny but difficult to elaborate on image — a baby in suit — to zany extremes. It was a good enough conceit for Marla Frazee’s original children’s book; toddlers can indeed be tyrants. But each movie has hyperactively swaddled that thin premise with a frenetic, over-plotted, off-the-wall cartoon blitz.
Director Tom McGrath returns for “The Boss Baby: Family Business” (in theaters and streaming on Peacock on Friday), and fast forwards to adulthood. Older brother Tim (James Marsden) has grown up to be a stay-at-home dad married to the high-powered Carol (Eva Longoria), with their science-obsessed, high-achieving daughter, Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt), and infant Tina (Amy Sedaris).
Boss Baby Ted (Alec Baldwin, adding to his closet of suits, including Donald Trump, Jack Donaghy and Blake in “Glengarry Glen Ross”) has, naturally, turned into a hedge fund CEO. The brothers have drifted apart, while still harboring Ted’s secret that he was an agent for Baby Corp., a conglomerate that makes an adult-intelligence-giving baby formula.
“Boss Baby” grows on you a little. There’s a dazzlingly animated scene shared between kid-sized Tim and his daughter Tabitha on creativity and being yourself set to Cat Stevens’ “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out.” It’s a good enough moment to redeem “Family Business,” even if you’re still tempted to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
“Boss Baby: Family Business,” a Universal release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for rude humor, mild language and some action. Running time: 107 minutes.