An animated feature much more enjoyable than its trailers reveal, The Boss Baby takes full advantage of Alec Baldwin, whose entertainment value should never be underestimated. Seven-year-old Tim (v. Miles Bakshi) loves being an only child and having his parents’ love and attention all to himself. However, a suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby (v. Baldwin) shows up and monopolizes Tim’s parents. But the Boss Baby does not really want Tim’s parents, or a family at all; he is gunning for a promotion at Babycorp. All he has to do is win another battle in the war between puppies and babies. 

The entire movie probably takes place inside the overactive imagination of a 7-year-old, but as told by director Tom McGrath and writer Michael McCullers (based on the book by Marla Frazee), The Boss Baby is a lot of fun. McCullers, who wrote the last two adventures of Austin Powers, even sneaks in a couple of subtly subversive jokes for the adults in the crowd. The movie has a surprising amount of adult appeal, but might lead some precocious youngsters to ask some awkward questions about where babies come from. Still, The Boss Baby is a cute, funny, insightful, family-friendly look at babies and siblings that should resonate with plenty of viewers.