Reel Critics

Teri Simonis, For the Independent

Sean: Although I thought “Big Fat Liar” was a good movie, I think that

it was targeted to kids younger than my age group. The movie had funny

parts, but it could have been better. “Malcom in the Middle” is one of my

favorite shows and Frankie Muniz played a great role in “Big Fat Liar.”

He played Jason Shepherd, a smart 14-year-old kid who didn’t use his

brain positively but instead used it to lie and make up stories to avoid

homework. I don’t like Amanda Bynes on her Nickelodeon show but she was

really good as Kaylee, Jason’s friend, in this movie.

Paul Giamatti as Marty Wolf, the Hollywood movie producer, played a

really great mean guy. I also enjoyed the limo-driver, Donald Adeosun

Faison.

Derek: I agree that “Big Fat Liar” was a good movie but targeted

toward a younger age group. Monty, played by Amanda Detmer was an

extremely likable character, much like her characters in “Saving

Silverman” and “Road Trip.” She is a cute actress who lights up even the

dullest parts such as the producer’s assistant in the film. Frankie

Muniz’s character, the smarmy Jason Shepherd, pulls pranks on the

producer, Marty Wolf in order to make Wolf admit that he stole Jason’s

homework to use for his new movie.

The pranks are reminiscent of “Home Alone,” but Muniz is not as cruel

as Macaulay Culkin and Wolf is not as bumbling as that movie’s villains.

Instead, Paul Giamatti is sniveling and weasely and brings comedy to

the screen. Over all I recommend this movie for children 10 and younger

because, despite the delightful cast, the writing is directed for this

age group.

Teri: Well, I think we have given this movie a conditional three

cheers. I really enjoyed it. So, parents, find a 10 year old and go.

Adults will enjoy the hilarious references to other movies as the cast

romps around the Universal Studios lot. Jason and friend, Kaylee, board

in a studio storeroom that looks like Tom Hank’s loft in “Big.” Jason and

Wolf face off in a scene from “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” and Wolf,

in a Clint Eastwood imitation, says, “Give me my monkey.”

There are amusing cameos by Lee Majors as a studio stuntman and Jaleel

White as himself. There is snappy dialogue and great music. The movie is

fun and fast-paced, but apparently you have to be under 10 or

30-something or older to appreciate it.

* SEAN RUHLAND, 12, is a seventh-grader at Marine View Middle School,

DEREK RUHLAND, 14, is a freshman at Huntington Beach High School, and

TERI SIMONIS, 41, is an office assistant for the city of Huntington

Beach.