VICE VERSA is basically a gender variation on the 1970s film FREAKY Friday, in which Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage play a bickering father and son whose roles are reversed thanks to a magical Thai artefact. I have to say that I always love the tinges of the supernatural in these family movies from the era; the writer goes out of his way to set up the story with the early scenes set in Thailand itself and featuring veteran actor James Hong in a typically creepy performance.

What follows soon turns into your usual 1980s-era comedy with much in common with the Tom Hanks movie BIG. It's also on the same level as that film, although it lacks a big and memorable set-piece like the Hanks/Loggia dance-off and the sight of Reinhold playing the drums doesn't really cut it. I'm always wary of these films as occasionally they become overly sentimental but I can report that VICE VERSA walks a fine line without ever crossing it. Fred Savage is excellent in a star-making turn (I used to love watching him in THE WONDER YEARS) and the underrated Reinhold holds his own against the greats of the decade. It's a fun and light movie, nothing more, but it holds your attention throughout.

A magical Buddhist skull has been stolen from its temple. Marshall Seymour (Judge Reinhold) is a high-powered VP purchasing executive for a Chicago department store. He's on a buying trip in Thailand with girlfriend assistant Sam (Corinne Bohrer). Turk (David Proval) buys the skull and smuggles it inside Marshall's cargo. Turk and Lillian Brookmeyer (Swoosie Kurtz) are looking to retrieve their skull. Marshall is the often-absent father to Charlie (Fred Savage). His ex-wife Robyn (Jane Kaczmarek) leaves Charlie with him for a few days. They have a fight and the skull magically transforms them.

The first obvious solution is for both of them to go to his job while calling in sick for the school. I would buy it more if Charlie refuses to go to Marshall's work. This is basic but weakly written body switching story. Both Reinhold and Savage are overplaying their switched personalities. Much of it is in the writing but they are able to get it back to some extend.

In 1988 there were a slew of body swap films with Tom Hanks in Big leading the way at the box office.

Vice Versa is based on a novel of the same name published in 1882. This is the fourth screen adaptation of the book.

It is light on its feet and inoffensive with little of substance to offer. This time an ancient skull from Thailand is the conduit for father and son to swap places and see things from each other's viewpoint, especially as the son wants his divorced father to spend more time with him.

It now has that very 80s vibe helped by the music and editing styles. It also offers amiable support from it two stars.

Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage are likable, Jane Kaczmarek is delectable. It is an average family film.