The Couchpotatoes
Why oh why did I watch this movie? I guess it was because I saw it was categorized in the comedy section. Now let me tell you, this is not a comedy, you won't laugh one time. It's a family movie, and a really bad one. I doubt you could make a more cheesy and predictable movie then this one. My wife and I were just saying every step that was going to happen before it even happened. From the beginning of the movie, when the kids lost their parents in an accident, you already wished they were also killed in that accident. During the whole movie I was secretly hoping Jason Voorhees would appear and kill them all. Seriously this is an abomination of a movie. I still don't get why I watched it...
Sjhm
This is a genuinely charming family film which hits all the right spots. Starring Brooke White and Joe Flanigan as the free-wheeling career couple with no plans outside of their here and now. All that changes when Sally's (White) oldest friend dies and leaves Sally her four children. Suddenly the perfect, high octane lives of Sally, and her fighter-pilot engineer husband Jason (Flanigan) are turned upside down. It is all a little simplistic, and the perfect family comprising one child from each of four ethnic groups is perhaps a bit of a stretch, but this film is not about political correctness, more about the importance of letting go of the dream you thought you had to let something bigger into your life. Brooke White is a surprise, she plays Sally with a quirky warmth and conviction without going over the top, Joe Flanigan is solid and dependable as her all action husband (a role he seems born to play!), and the children all convince as the displaced souls learning to live in a different place. The story is heart-warming and well worth an evening's viewing.
Paul Magne Haakonsen
Initially I thought this was a comedy, but it turned out to be more of a family drama. But that wasn't bad, because it was really quite a surprise of a movie. I was thoroughly entertained by it, and also touched by the story.The story is about Sally Danville (played by Brooke White) and Jason Danville (played by Joe Flanigan) who are having great careers and great prospects for the future, when they are trusted with the well-being and caring for the four children of Sally's friend and her husband, who died in an accident. And they have to adjust to family life, putting their own needs on hold and making big sacrifices.The acting in the movie was good, and there was good chemistry between Brooke White and Joe Flanigan. In the role of Dorothy, a social worker with child's care, was Phylicia Rashad. Now she looks like she haven't aged a bit since the Cosby Show, she looks great, and she did a good job in the movie, despite having a minor role only. The four kids were played by Jayme Lynn Evans (playing Jordan), Bobby Soto (playing Javier), Jakobe Dempsey (playing Kaleb) and Clarissa Suwoko (playing Sung-Lee). These youngsters also portrayed their roles quite nicely. Most memorable was the youngest, though, Clarissa Suwoko.Now, "Change of Plans" is very political correct and ethnically correct, as the children represents one from each racial group; white, Asian, African and Latino. It was a bit weird to have a family put together with this ingredient, but it worked out well for the movie, because everyone brought their own unique touch and culture to the bigger picture."Change of Plans" has a very warm and caring story to tell, and I am sure that it will have some people in tears at certain points. However, once the movie ended, I somewhat sat with the sensation of that the movie was somehow lacking something, that it could have been something more than what it turned out to be. Mind you, I am not saying it is a bad movie, I honestly did like it quite a bit.This movie is a great movie to watch as a family or together with your loved one, because it is an emotional moving movie, and also good entertainment.
moviebuff12-1
I cannot remember the last time I was able to sit down with the whole Family to watch something as enjoyable and viewer friendly as John Kent Harrison's 'Change of Plans'.The following was a story that was both touching, fun and tear-jerking without having to resort to petty violence or over-the-top scenarios.We begin with Sally and Jason Danville (Brooke White & Joe Flanigan), the seemingly perfect couple who are moving up in the world and off on their Anniversary trip when they suddenly receive a distressing phone call. Sally's friend Teresa and her husband have passed away leaving them with the duty to care for their four adoptive children. But this isn't a synopsis rather than a rundown of what worked, what didn't and what we can hope for the future of 'Change of Plans'.First of all, 'American Idol' contestant, Brooke White makes her acting debut and for the most part, she does an excellent job. Especially when she shares a tear filled story with the young, scene stealer, Clarissa Suwoko concerning a Zebra. And there are many moments like this that tug at your heartstrings. Even I found myself crying in many scenes that dealt with Jayme Lynn Evans, a new talent that is sure to go a long way.But it isn't all about the heavy scenes, Joe Flanigan has never been funnier. He does flex the dramatic muscle but he is better as the good-looking, comic relief. The supporting cast does a great job backing the story and letting us inside their little world. From Justin Kelly's wise-above-his-years portrayal of Jayme's love interest to the smarmy High school Quarterback, Craig Cornfield, we see these characters in our own lives and acknowledge them as such. Now I am a big fan of Phylicia Rashad but she seemed a bit too soft spoken in this first episode of what I hope becomes a series because as soon as the credits start to roll, you immediately wish for more. With catchy songs, a great story and even an appearance by Randy Jackson, 'Change of Plans' is a fun, Family friendly program that we have not seen in a long time and that is such a great change :)