Movie Review: Son of Rambow May 5, 2008

Movie Review: Son of Rambow

Alternate Title: Snips, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Story: The beginning of this prepubescent piece of piffle starts out lively, funny and quirky. All too quickly the film, by director and writer Garth Jennings, devolves into formulaic, often used cliches about boys being boys. Drats.

Two fatherless pre-teen boys are our stars. One, is a social outcast because his family belongs to an ascetic religious brethren and he cannot indulge in anything that even remotely seems like fun. The other, is the class trouble-maker and can often be found in the Principal’s office. They meet and before you know it, these two oddballs are making their own film, inspired by Sylvester Stallone’s ‘First Blood’, of the Rambo series. There are some heartfelt scenes between the two boys and laughs here and there but it goes on way too long and is ultimately reduced to a sap-fest.

The most imaginative scenes, while cute, are derivative and not consistent as the film progresses. The best parts are when the boys become creative in their filmmaking roles and are able to leave their personal turmoil behind.

Enjoy the trailer since it has the best parts of the film:

Acting:: Bill Milner as the boy who comes from the religious family is darling as is Will Poulter, the troublemaker. They both seem very real and are endearing.

Predilection: None

Critters: A few dogs in a cameo, mice and a cow.

Food: Sausage and bacon, meat, peas, apples and mashed potato’s.

Sex Spectrum: Just some pre-teen kissing.

Soundtrack: A bunch of fun tunes from the 1980’s when the film is supposed to have been set.

Visual Art: The drawings by the imaginative Will are delightful.

Theater Audience: About 25 people – seen at the Angelika.

Sappy Factor: 3

Quirky Meter: .5

Squirm Scale: There is a squirmy scene with a scissor.

Drift Factor: I looked at my watch quite a bit.

Predictability Level: Over the top

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: No

Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be ideal.

Length: At 90 minutes it was too long.

LOBO HOWLS: 5