I have 2 kids, 5 & 7. My 7-year old picked this one out at the video store while I was digging for blood-and gut stuff after they fall asleep. I am used to yawning and catnapping thru horrible Japanese cartoons, Disney offal (how can David Spade offend in equal measure without even using his gen-ZZZ, I'm-so-smart I'm-Bored ((Wow David! You MUST be smart!)) persona, by using only his voice? Perhaps he DOES have some talent) or cartoon network SCREAMFESTS, all supposedly aimed at kids while cramming greed and excess down their eager throats. I would rather do this some nights, in spite of the side effects, than willingly enter into a fight over a kid movie. Single parents, you know the drill. And Friday night is Movie Night at our place.
And I'll confess I drifted off during the movie, since it was the second of two (Neverending Story 2, which is BAAAAD), but not before dully noticing that it was well-acted. On second and third watching I am entering comment-land. I didn't find a weak performance. I loved the story line. All the characters have some depth, do not readily lapse into clichéd kidspeak (gnarly, like, so, overit, etc) but actually verbalize cogent thoughts, and the movie is filled with weird kids being treated normally instead of being ostracized or teased for not fitting in with the DisneyKind. Bad fiddling? Who cared or knew. My impression of those who actually can play the violin well is that you've lassoed some life more fulfilling than sitting around watching kid movies. Myself, I chose guitar, and still wouldn't fault the most amateur airplayer for missing a lick or two. This movie is good stuff. Rent it and enjoy.
And I'll confess I drifted off during the movie, since it was the second of two (Neverending Story 2, which is BAAAAD), but not before dully noticing that it was well-acted. On second and third watching I am entering comment-land. I didn't find a weak performance. I loved the story line. All the characters have some depth, do not readily lapse into clichéd kidspeak (gnarly, like, so, overit, etc) but actually verbalize cogent thoughts, and the movie is filled with weird kids being treated normally instead of being ostracized or teased for not fitting in with the DisneyKind. Bad fiddling? Who cared or knew. My impression of those who actually can play the violin well is that you've lassoed some life more fulfilling than sitting around watching kid movies. Myself, I chose guitar, and still wouldn't fault the most amateur airplayer for missing a lick or two. This movie is good stuff. Rent it and enjoy.