Review: 'Freakier Friday' is a fun surprise

I was old enough when the 2003 "Freaky Friday" came out that it didn't interest me much. I was a 20-something dude who was too into art movies and trying to convince people I had this deeper understanding of film and the nuance and dark beauty that resonates in your bones.

I was a tool is what I'm really trying to say.

So, I never took advantage and watched the first movie (I know the Jodi Foster one existed and I had seen it, but to make things easier here I'm calling the 2003 version the first of these two movies.) Anyway, I didn't see the first one when it came out and I've seen most, if not all of it, over the years on my way in and out of the living room while my daughters watched.

With all that said, I wasn't exactly excited to go see "Freakier Friday." I've grown out of my I-watch-movies-for-the-art-and-you-just-don't-get-it mentality, regardless of what my wife says, but the movie just wasn't of much interest to me. Much to my pleasant surprise, I was wrong and "Freakier Friday" is actually a lot of fun. Far from perfect, but also far from dull.

The good

Jamie Lee Curtis steals the show

It's no surprise that Jamie Lee Curtis is one of the standout performances in "Freakier Friday". As Tess, Curtis is hilarious, self-deprecating, and exudes a kind of charm that only she can deliver. She brings the perfect balance of humor and heart to the role, and honestly, it feels like she's having the time of her life in this sequel.

You can tell that Curtis genuinely enjoys playing Tess, and her energy is contagious. Watching her take on the role with so much enthusiasm made it clear that this movie wasn't just about getting the paycheck; it was about having fun, and it's that energy that makes the film work.

While the younger cast does a great job of mimicking Curtis and Lindsay Lohan's characters, it's Curtis who truly steals the show. There's something endearing about her performance that makes Tess' character so lovable, and you can't help but root for her throughout the movie.

A solid cast and good chemistry

The rest of the cast also does a good job. Lohan returns as adult Anna, and her performance is fine, but pales in comparison to Curtis. The younger girls who play Tess and Anna's characters also do a great job, capturing their quirks and personalities. You can see how much effort went into making sure the characters felt consistent with the first film, and it pays off.

The rest of the ensemble cast, including Chad Michael Murray (who makes a brief, yet welcome return), also adds something to the film, though they don't have quite as much screen time. Manny Jacinto, who you might recognize from "The Good Place," also delivers a fun performance and brings a nice, charismatic energy to the film.

All in all, the cast works well together, creating a cohesive vibe that makes the movie feel light-hearted and fun.

It's actually funny

Here's the thing: I went into "Freakier Friday" expecting to roll my eyes a few times. And, yeah, I did. There's no denying some of the jokes land with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. But much to my surprise, I found myself laughing — a lot. The humor is mostly slapstick and silly, but it's delivered with enough charm to keep you invested. It's not going to be a comedy classic, but it had me chuckling and at times, even laughing out loud.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I even got caught up in some of the humor. While not all of the jokes land (some of them are as cheesy as you'd expect from a Disney sequel), the movie has enough funny moments to keep things light and entertaining. The scenes that had my kids laughing also had me in stitches, and that's a rare feat for a family film. Sometimes it's nice to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the absurdity of it all without expecting too much depth. And that's what "Freakier Friday" provides: just the right amount of goofy fun.

It has heart

Maybe it's because I'm a dad, or maybe it's just because this movie hit the right emotional notes, but there were a few moments in "Freakier Friday" that got to me. I watched it with my wife and two daughters, and I have to say, there were parts of the film that really resonated. The relationships between the characters are messy, complicated, and real, and the emotions that come with love, loss, and family hit hard.

The movie tackles themes of identity, growing up, and understanding one another in a way that feels genuine. You don't often see that in a comedy aimed at kids, but here it works.

The family dynamic feels grounded, and it's easy to see how the relationships evolve over the course of the film. The moments of emotional depth are earned, and while they're not groundbreaking, they're enough to make you reflect on your own family relationships.

The not-so-good

It's a little too long

"Freakier Friday" is not a perfect film, but let's be honest, were we expecting it to be? Nonetheless, there are a few things that hold it back from being great.

The biggest issue I had was the pacing. At just under two hours, the film feels a bit bloated. Some of the scenes and scenarios linger a bit too long, which affects the timing and flow of the movie. While the movie doesn't overstay its welcome entirely, there were moments when I found myself wishing it would move a little quicker. Some of the repetitive gags or plot points could have been trimmed to keep things more engaging.

That early 2000s corniness

Remember those early 2000s live-action Disney movies? They were a special kind of corny; cheesy jokes, overly sentimental moments, and exaggerated characters. Well, "Freakier Friday" has some of that same energy. And while it's not enough to ruin the experience, it's hard to ignore.

The film occasionally veers into that "Disney Channel Original" territory, with jokes that miss the mark and moments that feel a little too ridiculous. For me, this nostalgia trip was a little much at times, but that's just part of the charm of these kinds of films. It didn't completely drag the movie down, but it was enough to make me roll my eyes a couple of times.

Conclusion

In the end, "Freakier Friday" is exactly what it promises: a lighthearted, fun, and funny family film with enough heart to make it resonate. It's not a masterpiece, and it has its flaws, but the performances, especially from Jamie Lee Curtis, make it a joy to watch.

If you're a parent or just someone looking for a feel-good, easy movie to watch with the family, "Freakier Friday" hits the spot. It may not break new ground in comedy or storytelling, but it gets the job done and provides a wholesome, enjoyable experience for all ages.

"Freakier Friday" is officially rated PG for mild humor and thematic elements.

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