The most unfortunate trend in kids films over the past decade has been the reliance on cheap jokes — in particular, those having to do with bodily functions.
Even some of the best all-ages movies have been relying on potty humor to get by (such as the disgusting flatulence gag that mars the outtakes in "Toy Story 2").
And then you have a movie like "Snow Day," a film that probably could get by on the merits of sheer silliness. But guess what crops up when the action slows down? You guessed it, flatulence and mucus jokes.
Still, even those weak gags can't completely undo this comic fantasy, which is a joint production between Paramount Pictures and the cable television Nickelodeon network.
"Snow Day" is not a perfect film, but there's enough cleverness for adults to tolerate it, and kids will likely appreciate some of the more juvenile moments.
Besides, it's just nice to see the (of late) unbearably smug Chevy Chase playing a normal, likable character.
Chase stars as Tom Brandston, a TV weatherman who's been reduced to wearing gimmicky outfits for the sake of ratings, which have plummeted since the arrival of Chad Symmonz, a debonair competitor (John Schneider) on another station.
The rest of Tom's family hasn't been faring very well lately either. Teenage son Hal (Mark Webber) has been unable to tell the girl of his dreams (Emmanuelle Chriqui) how he feels about her. Daughter Natalie (Zena Grey) has been frustrated by the mild winter. And wife Laura (Jean Smart) has become a workaholic, at the expense of her husband and children.
Some or all of those could change with a dramatic shift in the weather — an overnight blizzard that catches their New York community unawares and which threatens to close schools and offices.
That is, if Natalie can stop the evil Snowplowman (Chris Elliott) from clearing the streets. And even then it will take an unprecedented show of guts on the part of both Tom and Hal — as well as Laura's realization that she's neglecting the most important people in her life — before their dreams to come true.
There aren't a whole lot of surprises in the script (by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, co-creators of TV's "The Adventures of Pete and Pete"). However, there are some surprisingly funny bits, especially the unusual backstory for Elliott's character.
And newcomer Chris Koch's breezy direction keeps the whole thing moving so quickly that you won't really think about the gaping plot holes and unresolved subplots. Not that they really matter in a film like this.
The movie also benefits from an appealing cast. Chase isn't great, but at least he seems to be having fun for a change. And the young actors, particularly Webber and Grey, have surprising comic timing and personality to spare.
"Snow Day" is rated PG for vulgar humor (including flatulence gags and a couple of other crudities) and slapstick violence (including pummeling by snowballs).