Gangsta Granny

A young boy learns that his sweet, meak, mild mannered grandmother used to be a jewel thief, the pair hatch a daring plan.

I think of all the books of David Walliams, that this was the best of them, it's a sweet, fun read, with some interesting, defiant characters, people that have broken free or the moulds that society places them.

It tries so hard, and many of the jokes land a fair bit short, but overall it's a decent watch, some of it was quite moving, the ending in particular was.

Julia McKenzie steals the show, and is a cut above, excellent from her.

Miranda Hart was pretty good fun, her brand of humour was definitely welcome, I thought David Walliams was painful at times.

Superior to the awful follow up that came in 2022, it's a bit of an oddity, but for a bit of Christmas family fun it's a decent watch, 6/10.

This movie just tries too hard to be funny and appeal to kids. It's badly made, its jokes are predictable and unfunny, but its emotional scenes are quite good.

But if you're looking for actually FUNNY entertainment, avoid this movie.

My daughter, who is 7 enjoyed the film, although did'nt quite get some of it. I love Miranda hart so enjoyed her performance as Ben's mother. Julia Mcenzie is also fab as granny but the screen play is poor. Granny ''pretends' to have been an international jewel thief in her past in order to change Ben's view of her as a boring old woman. Very strange to have a subsequent scene where Ben catches her attempting to steal jewellery through the window of a shop. Granny later admits that she had made the story up (so why were you seen trying to rob a jewellers???) In the end her biscuit tin of gems is given to a charity shop and was found to be worth a fortune....ah so it was true!. Not very funny, not very clever and when my daughter asked for the book I refused. David Walliams has somehow made millions from these awful Roald dahl rip off books and if an unknown author had been behind it I doubt it would have been made into a film.

This David Walliams book adapted for TV showcases Julia McKenzie as a cabbage obsessed grandmother who also masquerades as an international jewel thief.

Her grandson Ben despairs of being sent to his dull grandmother's house every Friday night by his parents (played David Walliams and Miranda Hart) while they go ballroom dancing.

However Ben soon realises that his grandmother has hidden talents beyond cabbage soup and soon hatches a plan to steal the Crown Jewels whilst evading a nosey neighbour played by Rob Brydon.

It is a film that will be a hit with the kids although adults would be nonplussed until Joanna Lumley appears as the Queen and starts dancing.

It's a touching tale about bonding with the elderly but I really expected something more involving. Walliams and Hart provide able support but not enough laughs with their strictly dancing carry on.

Look out for Robbie Williams as Latino dancer Flavio.

An hour or so well wasted on this childish comedy. Great cast.