Bigger Fatter Liar

I grew up on the 2002 original film, and rewatched that one time and time again. That movie had a solid script, great zingers, and the jokes/pranks that the kids played were more practical.

This is almost a carbon copy of the 2002 film, and poorly designed with a lot of slapstick and phony heart. The filmmakers try a modern twist - instead of Shepard's essay being plagiarized, it's a video game schematic.

While the main duo isn't horrible at acting, the actor who portrayed Wolf didn't make for a convincing villain. After 40 minutes it was clear that nothing would come together. I was starting to feel bad for Wolf. Yeah he stole the kid's idea, but drugging his smoothie and energy drinks isn't really fair game.

The original film still holds up and this isn't a true sequel. It's regurgitated nonsense.

2002's 'Big Fat Liar' will never top a 'best family film ever' list, but was an entertaining enough film that is still remembered with affection by those who grew up watching it.

I was surprised then to see 'Bigger Fatter Liar' appear straight to DVD in 2017.

The film, despite being touted on the DVD box as being a sequel, is really a remake, with the original plot structure and like for like characters (often with slightly amended names) all being adhered to. It feels a little like the later 'Home Alone' films, where 'Kevin-esque' characters were put through their paces.

It's not the mess that others here have made it out to be. There are some nice new original touches (not just changing a film idea being stolen to an app) and the leads are clearly having fun in their roles.

It pales in comparison to the original, but there's a lot to like here.

I think the original movie must have been too successful for the writers/producers/directors/stakeholders because they literally took the script of the first and using copy and replace inserted the words "video game app" instead of "movie". Then they examined the jokes and removed all lead up and background but left the punch lines. They even added a couple of nods to the original which fall completely flat because this movie IS the original if the original were made badly. I'm not exaggerating. Watch it. Lament the bitter taste it leaves in your mouth as it attempts to rewrite your fond memories of Big Fat Liar with it's blatant and very poorly done plagiarism of the original.

It's hard to follow Paul Giamatti. He's a comedic genius. In the first BFL movie, he had us all rolling on the floor laughing. The guy who plays the BFL in this movie tries but doesn't come close to even being funny. He's about as funny as a sore throat.

One highlight, and this makes it worth it to see the movie, is Jodelle Ferland who is one of the most beautiful young women on the planet yet it doesn't seem that she knows it thereby making her seem sweet and vulnerable. She plays the Amanda Bynes character. Amanda was an exciting actress, but Jodell is just fantastic to watch.

This film simply reuse the script from the original "Big Fat Liar" with only minor changes. Problem is they use much less talented actors and the writer/actor Ron Oliver must have gone crazy since he peaked his career in the 1980:s. This is simply a lousy attempt to earn a few dollars by using the name of an old popular film. I ought to claim compensation from the production company for totally ruining 1½ hours of my life.