Reviews

It's strange how people are reacting to this movie. I'm not sure what they're expecting. This is simply a fine, fun movie for the 4 to 10 year old set. I brought a group of kids with me that were in that age group and they all loved it. They were cheering at the end. As a parent I also found it quite enjoyable. It's no "Shrek" I suppose, but few movies are. This is just a fine animated film with a good plot, a good moral, and no bad language. Some reviewers are upset because some things don't make sense - like whether there could be lights on Wrigley field, or whether "Seabiscut" was around at the time this movie was supposed to take place? Please. Who cares? Certainly the kids don't. What more could you want in a fun animated flick for children? Take your kids to see it and enjoy.

I must first say I was shocked to see that the average rating given this film was below 6 (when I checked it in Jan of '05). While I gave it a 10, I fully expected at least a mid 7 from the IMDb audience. It is a wonderful film that I love to show to my children. What's not to like? It has a unique plot - that of an Indian coming to life in a young boy's cupboard, and wonderful acting and music. Through the boy's experiences with the Indian (wonderfully played by Litefoot) he comes to a new level of maturity. Hal Scardino's acting is natural and totally believable. If you are tired of the cut-out child actors that Hollywood gives us too often, then you'll love Hal. What a fabulously underplayed performance. The ending always makes me and my wife cry. There are so few really good films for children. I hate to suffer through other films I bought for the kids (like "Inspector Gadget" - a truly awful film) and I wish that there were more films like this one. This is a wonderful film and I heartily recommend it.

I don't know why there has been so much difference of opinion among all the reviewers about this movie. I really enjoyed it. It's exactly what you'd expect. I guess if you're worried about the details (like how long it takes for an alien to burst from your chest after you've been face hugged) then you might find fault. But who cares about that stuff? Just enjoy what I think is a nicely made movie. It certainly kept my attention. A good action flick. Well done I say.

Of course it wasn't as good as the original - I didn't expect that it would be. I just wanted it to be good, maybe interesting. It was neither. I can't believe people are giving this movie a 10. It just didn't come together. It had potential, but in the end me and my kids were bored. What a major disappointment. Not even worth buying when it comes out on DVD. This movie must have been rushed out the door by the producers. Too bad.

Why this movie doesn't have an average of around 9 eludes me. It is a wondeful film. So well acted and with a very engaging story. This is a great film for the whole family. You'll love it. The lead actor - Hal Scardino - is such a natural. He's completely believable, as is his friend. The Indian is also wonderfully brought to life. How they made the special effects work so well back in 1995 (well... that was a while back for film special effects anyway...) I don't know. I wish we could see more warm hearted films like this today.

Wow was this movie "heavy"! What a downer. It spent so much time on the angst of each character that there was no fun in the movie. And the ending - what they heh? Wierd, bizarre ending that makes you sit there and wonder whether they just didn't know what to do to this long bore-fest. Forget about it.

I agree with one review which stated that the first half hour is interesting. However, during that time you can see exactly how the movie is going to end. I've never seen a movie so predictable. If I was closer to the door I would have left about an hour in. I've also never heard a movie audience clap "sarcastically" before, but this one sure did. The teenagers behind me couldn't wait for it to get over with. Finally, I know the concept is just an excuse for an action flick, but it could still have been written so that you at least cared what happened. Cliche after cliche.

I went to see this movie because so many of my friends recommended it. I checked out the comments on IMDB and now that I've seen this great movie, it's a bummer that I see negative reviews on IMDB. How could you not love this movie? It's got great characters, wonderful scenes of family - quirky and all. It reminds you of how great it is to have roots. Go see it!

What made the first movie wonderful is missing here. The movie is just all gadgets and special effects - no feeling and no fun. A few scenes are just plain stupid. The kids are fine actors. It's too bad that there is no human interaction here. Everything is overwhelmed by special effects.