This was well directed, acted, and packaged but the writing was just terrible. The child in the movie, Max, is incredibly whiney and aggravating from the very beginning of the film. 5 minutes into it you are completely done with him and yet you have to spend another hour and a half with him. Then at the end of the movie to punish the kid's horrible behavior the mother welcomes him back home with milk and a piece of cake with no apology or consequence. This movie stands as a huge example as to why our children are weaker, lazier, and dumber than any of the past generations. Parents have stopped punishing children in the same manner as past generations and the result shows.