ŌLeave it to BeaverĶ found itself hopelessly caught between two time periods - when it first aired, and the present. While that consistently detracts from the film - more so for people who saw the original TV series, IÕm sure - it is part of the fun.
While some of the shifts are substantial, ŌBeaverĶ only changes what it must to be current. Ward and June Cleaver, Mr. and Mrs. Everyhome America, are the same as they always were, and the problems facing the Cleaver children and certainly no different. And, in case you were wondering, Eddie Haskell didnÕt change a bit.
Perhaps the only real differences are the clothes and the lingo (not affecting the parents, however). Wally Cleaver is the personification of 90s cool, and Beaver is the same to 90s cute.
While slightly broader in scope (and longer, obviously), ŌBeaver,Ķ the movie, is little different from an episode on television.
In one of the filmÕs opening scenes, Eddie (Adam Zolotin) tells Beaver (Cameron Finley) how to convince his dad to buy him a new bike for his birthday. In classic Eddie Haskell style, he explains why the little one will have to join the schoolÕs football team, fulfilling DadÕs (Christopher MacDonald) unfulfilled dreams of athletic stardom.
Wally (Erik von Detten) looks on, disapproving and amused, not stopping Eddie, but not really egging him on, either. Of course, Beaver gets the bike for his birthday and has problems on the football team, but the trouble really starts when the new bike is stolen.
Rambling on about the plot really wonÕt get me anywhere; the plot is multi-directional, if anything, and is more a study of the Cleaver family, with a few interesting twists and a couple important morals thrown in.
Some of BeaverÕs tricks are entertaining, like when he gets out of football practice by staying after school with his concerned teacher, without telling his sport-addicted father about the new arrangement.
All the while, Wally develops a relationship with the girl that Eddie is obsessed with, not only creating more problems when Eddie gets mad, but even more when she runs off with another guy. And these kids are twelve!
So its not very realistic. And I probably havenÕt portrayed the movie very well. But itÕs entertaining, as long as youÕre willing to laugh at endless stupidity.
Grade: B