Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Review: Nostalgia Plus a Modern Sheen

Tanya Crandell was all set for the summer of her dreams – a trip to Spain with her best friends. But those plans suddenly fell through when her mom had a breakdown at work and decided some time away was needed. Now Tanya and her siblings Kenny, Melissa and Zack are in for a summer they won’t soon forget!

Their mom hires a babysitter to watch the kids while she’s gone, but Ms. Sturak isn’t quite what she seems. She quickly shows her nasty side, leaving the kids to fend for themselves. Things take a turn when Ms. Sturak unexpectedly passes away. Not wanting to get in trouble, the clever siblings come up with a plan to keep their summer of freedom going.

Tanya steps up to take charge, using her smarts and skills to support her brothers and sister. She ends up taking on a new identity to get her first job, eager to prove herself. Meanwhile her siblings discover their own talents exploring the house. With hijinks around every corner, the Crandell kids are in for one crazy summer filled with laughs, surprises and family bonding they’ll always remember.

The Summer Switch-Up

Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell is all set for an epic Spanish adventure with her friends for the summer. But just when she thinks the vacation is a go, her plans get flipped upside down. Tanya’s mom suffers a breakdown at work and needs time away, cancelling Tanya’s trip in the process. To make matters worse, Mom leaves Tanya in charge of her younger siblings for three whole months!

Enter Kenny, Melissa and Zack – Tanya’s brother and sister duo. Kenny is your average slacker teen who’d rather light up than lift a finger. Melissa is a goth girl obsessed with true crime podcasts. And Zack is the brainy kid always plugged into his Nintendo. As different as they all are, they look to responsible Tanya to keep them in line.

Of course, the first thing that goes wrong is their new babysitter. Meet Ms. Sturak, a creepy old lady who seems sweet at first. It doesn’t take long for her true colors to show through, with her racist remarks putting the kids on edge. When Ms. Sturak unexpectedly kicks the bucket, the siblings are left to fend for themselves over summer break.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Tanya takes on a fake identity to land a job. Using her creative skills, Melissa turns Tanya into a 25-year-old fashion exec named Talia. Pretty soon, Talia is killing it as an assistant to boss lady Rose at a stylist company. Rose sees potential in Tanya and takes her under her wing. But the office politics get dramatic, especially with competitive co-worker Caroline in the mix.

As the summer progresses, Tanya discovers hidden strengths she didn’t know she had. Juggling work, home duties and a new romance, she steps up as a parental figure for her siblings. The responsibility challenges Tanya to ditch her rebellious side and embrace maturity. By the end of a crazy few months, she’s grown into a young woman who’s truly come into her own.

Families Who Support Each Other

This remake of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead shows how the Crandell siblings rely on their wit, skills and teamwork to get through a crazy summer. When their babysitter passes and money runs low, the kids don’t panic – older sister Tanya steps up while the younger ones contribute too. They forge documents so Tanya can get a job to pay bills.

Melissa leverages computer smarts, Zack stays focused on school, and Kenny helps out in his relaxed way. Through humor and heart, this modern family reminds us that our closest supports are each other. Even wild scenarios seem survivable if you tackle them together through open communication and flexible roles.

By centering the story on a Black family, director Wade Allain-Marcus creates a narrative that comments meaningfully on social issues. The remake considers how stereotypes and systemic biases could differently impact the Crandell kids versus their white counterparts from 1991. It highlights disadvantages like the sheriff assuming certain things about them due to race.

Yet ultimately what stands out is Kenny facing challenges with humor and smarts rather than bitterness. The Crandells showcase resilience and find blended families can come in all colors. Don’t Tell Mom intelligently freshens up an old favorite for modern dialogues around identity, justice and human connection across differences.

Directing, Cinematography and Art Direction

Our remake’s warm, cheerful look is a highlight. Director Wade Allain-Marcus uses vibrant colors and nostalgic touches to transport us right back to cozy 90s vibes. Everything from the polished costumes to the wood-furnished family home immerses you in comfort. Nicole Richie and Simone Joy Jones bring pops of fashion-forward flair too.

I was especially drawn in by the dreamy cinematography. Hazy lenses lend a soft glow like viewing memories through rose-colored glasses. Golden afternoon lights bathe familiar spaces like the arcade or backyard pool in a romantic warmth. It had me longing for simpler summer days. Even tense scenes feel huggable thanks to those sunny hues.

Subtle directorial tricks keep your eyes dancing too. Clever blocked angles peek around corners, while fluid tracking shots flow through favorite haunts. You’ll swear the camera is an unseen friend following the fun. It’s like watching home movies crafted by a skilled artist.

Together, these lush visuals elevate the entertainment. Even if the laughs don’t land perfectly, the attractive atmosphere invites you to relax into the ride. In an age of sharp-edged reboots, this one embraces comfort like a cozy quilt. Its loving look is reason alone to revisit this delightful slice of nostalgia.

Rediscovering Teenage Angst

Simone Joy Jones breathes new life into the role of Tanya Crandell in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. At 17, Tanya feels on the cusp of freedom and independence, eager for a Spanish getaway with friends before starting a new chapter at college. But her summer takes an unexpected turn when mom has a breakdown, leaving Tanya as acting guardian for her siblings.

Jones perfectly captures both the indignance and responsibility swelling within Tanya. We feel her frustration as plans crumble, yet also admire her dedication to family as she navigates unexpected adulthood. Jones brings nuance to the character – she’s not simply a caricature of teenage annoyance. We understand Tanya’s strong will through Jones’ grounded and earnest performance.

As matriarch Rose at the fashion company, Nicole Richie is delightfully mocking as always. Her delivery of jokes about colleagues is so deadpan you’re not sure whether to laugh or cheer her on. Richie serves as a gleeful window into office politics, keeping scenes lively with her signature brand of sharp ridicule.

In the brief but memorable role of racist babysitter Ms. Sturak, June Squibb is disturbingly funny. She switches between sickly-sweet smiles and sudden flashes of bigotry on a dime, leaving the kids – and us – forever on edge. Her infamous lines are thrown out with such casual viciousness that Squibb single-handedly brings uncomfortable laughs.

From rising star to seasoned veterans, the cast works as an ensemble to balance lighthearted comedy with sincere coming-of-age moments. They help rediscover what made this peculiar story of teenage independence so memorable before. Jones in particular leaves us energized to follow Tanya’s adventures, no matter how far she must grow up over a single summer.

Wading into Waters Untouched

This spin on the classic tale stays surprisingly swimming in the same waters as the ’91 film. Similar plot points and character archetypes made my mind flashback to Christina Applegate’s classic turn as Swell. But while comfort comes from the familiar, I couldn’t help dreaming how wild a daredevil director might’ve gotten with the premise!

Take the racist sitter meeting her maker – it sets up a deliciously dark foundation just begging for riskier choices. Imagine messier outcomes stemming from the kids’ panic. Or what unique social commentary could’ve been made through more subversively handling such a taboo topics? Still, they paid homage well through callback lines eliciting giggles of recognition.

Where new charms emerge comes from focusing the family story on a Black household. Subtle tweaks acknowledge society’s shifting currents while keeping core charms timeless. And diverse casting breathes fresh air through familiar corridors.

Overall it’s an enjoyable watch, though leaves me hoping future remakes feel emboldened to truly make old tales their own. This played it understandably safe for a debut, but with bold vision and talent like what delivered, even morbid premises could be mined for deeper laughs and food for thought. Sometimes the bravest paths diverge farthest from well-traveled roads.

Family Fun with a Twist

Overall, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead delivers an enjoyable throwback vibe with a modern twist. At its heart, it’s a comedic story about siblings learning to support each other through unexpected challenges. Simone Joy Jones shines as the responsible big sister Tanya, who rises to the occasion with humor and heart. And the scenes where the whole Crandell crew works as a team are truly sweet.

Admittedly, some of the humor feels a bit on the nose. A few gags could have been more cleverly written. And the plot follows a pretty familiar path at times. But the scenes celebrating family and the talented cast more than make up for it. These kids have your back, and their bond with each other makes for good fun.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted way to spend a few hours, you could do worse than curling up with this remake. It won’t revolutionize the genre, but it delivers smiles along with its silly story. Fans of the original will enjoy the nostalgic spin, and the rest of us can simply appreciate its spirit of togetherness. Sometimes you just want to spend time with an entertaining crew, and Don’t Tell Mom delivers that in spades.

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