screenwriterCV I was real disappointed after watching this movie. While it did have a few funny scenes, it sucked compared to "A Christmas Story." The humor was way too different. It was more silly and childish, unlike in the first movie, where all the funny scenes in it are all believable and can be related too, which is why that movie is so great and never gets old. For instance, a kid getting beat by his mom over the phone or getting his tongue stuck to a pole was funny but at the same time believable and done in such a way that you felt bad for him while in "It Runs In The Family," a guy getting hit in the head with a dish and not fall down or bleed is more slapstick humor and unrealistic. And what was up with the Parker's family new dog? While the dog is cute there is no way it could have understood the dad's strategy and be a decoy and trick the neighbors big hound dogs. It was so cartoony which is good for a modern kids Disney movie but didn't belong in a sequel to "A Christmas Story." Watching a "A Christmas Story" at times feels like you take a trip back in time and really gets you into the Christmas spirit while "It Runs In the Family," feels more like a silly movie meant to just make you laugh and doesn't take you in. I mean there was no tears, no real fear around the bullies, no fights, no fantasies, no passion, no drama. It was so fake and felt rushed.

chas77 Really bad. Why anyone thinks this is a good film let alone funny is a true mystery. I like comedies as much as the next man and I LOVED "A Christmas Story." The fact that it has the same director and was based on the same writer's memoirs has me completely puzzled as to why this film is such a complete failure on every level. Charles Grodin is woefully miscast as the father for starters. For another it does not seem to have the same pacing -- it just doesn't flow well. Everything seems tired and forced. The joy of life that permeated the first film is completely absent here -- you just want the movie to end. I wouldn't even recommend this movie for curiosity-seekers who enjoyed "A Christmas Story." It's that bad. 1/10.

herzogvon As a fan of Jean Shepherd since the early 70s, allow me to point out a few faults; egregious and otherwise: a.) It's not Lud Ditka - we all know where that surname came from - it is Lud Kissel. Somehow, Bob Clark has decided to do a morph job on the Kissel clan.b.) Charles Grodin is a wretched, miserable excuse for an actor. He should NEVER have been cast as "The Old Man", and both James Broderick and Darrin McGavin must be spinning in their graves - presuming the latter is dead.c.) And now for the topper; the only baseball reference is to the hated Cubs. This is an obvious concession to the same group of morons that Clark was hoping to attract with the Ditka fabrication. Anyone who has ever read, heard or even looked at Jean Shepherd knows that he is a WHITE SOX fan to the core! It is part of the very fiber of his being, as well as those of Ralph's entire northwest Indiana family. For Sheperd to have allowed this slander, this total distortion of everything he stands for, can only mean one of two things; either he was comatose at the time of shooting, or he was made a monetary offer he couldn't refuse. My money - you should pardon the expression - is on the latter.So, enjoy the amusing bits - ( most of them come early anyway ) - then try and forget you ever saw this sacrilege and do your best to wait patiently until next Christmas, when the REAL Parker clan will once again be on display. My friends, you have been warned.

MovieAddict2016 This is an in-name-only sequel to "A Christmas Story," originally entitled "A Summer Story." Ralphie narrates his family adventures during the summer when they moved to a small hick-town in the middle of nowhere. Hilarity, unfortunately, does not ensue.The original worked because of its irreverent nature and honesty - everyone could relate to it. This one is simply stupid and not very funny at all. Charles Grodin's last movie - no wonder! It's one of his poorest roles. I felt sorry for him.Mary Steenburgen is given little to do, everything's formulaic, and you have to wonder why they even bothered.And I mean, come on - a competition with spinning tops?! Sadly, it's the best part of the movie...