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LOST TREASURE, THE

The Lost Treasure is a greatly scripted, nicely executed film. It has quite a bit of action but definitely not too scary for younger children.

This film is about treasure hunter Eddie Fox (Josh Margules). One day he finds a book which leads him to find out about a magical staff. He embarks on a mission to get this staff before it falls into the wrong hands.

First, this film has lots of amazing stuff in it. Most noteworthy are the locations, all of which are beautiful; some are in the forest and others are on the beach, and are all stunning. This makes it a fascinating show to watch. There are a lot of interesting camera shots in this film. One example is the shot from behind the leaves which shows the main characters exploring. There is a bit of some intense stuff going on and its accompanied with some intense music that goes great with it. One of my favorite things is how the story of the staff is similar to mythological stories, without actually being mythology. I very much enjoy mythology so that made this story all the more interesting to me. Lastly, I noted that there is a group of three bad guys and a group of three good guys, which means there is a 50% chance that either side wins. You just have to watch it to find out.

The message of this story is to never give up and keep persevering because you never know what you might uncover.

I give The Lost Treasure 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases on streaming January 11, 2022.

By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Based on one of the greatest themes in film history, The Lost Treasure is a beautifully-shot film with a riveting plot. Unfortunately, some elements of the film, including the music and actors' performance, let the beauty of the story down.

The Lost Treasure opens in the middle of the action, as Eddie Fox (Josh Margulies), a treasure hunter, discovers the existence of a secret Hawaiian staff that's been lost for generations. He also finds a special journal with information about a mythical spirit named Mahina (Angelica Quinn), who is a nature nymph of sorts. While paging through this journal, he finds that the staff has a connection to his family, and it's up to him to keep the staff safe from evil forces. He embarks on a quest to find and protect this staff for the sake of the island and his family's legacy, and he locks horns with a band of nefarious, scheming villains led by Charles Wellington (Dezmond Gilla) along the way.

The film is quite a mixed bag. One on hand, The Lost Treasure is a cinematographic masterpiece. The sets truly transport viewers to Hawaii. Vibrant colors, the serene bright blue sea, and a good number of Pacific Islander actors enhance the setting. I especially love Fox's office -- the warm, woody tones contrast with the exterior setting. On the other hand, the music could have used something more. Suspenseful music cues arrive at odd times, and there are some scenes (including close-ups of reactions with no dialogue) where viewers will be left questioning why no music is playing. The dialogue is stilted and forced throughout the film due to a mix of actor delivery and script quality; it's a pity, as a good script could have been a game-changer. It took me about half the film to cement everyone's roles, especially that of Tanya Granger (Stella Tinucci) (Eddie's sidekick, of sorts). She seems rather out of place as a European pundit, and Eddie and Tanya's love story is underdeveloped.

The Lost Treasure is all about the triumph of good over evil. It's a story of discovery and exploration, and it educates viewers about Hawaiian culture and tradition. The use of Hawaiian language in some parts is a nice touch that allows viewers to learn a few phrases in the language.

I give The Lost Treasure 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 15. It releases on-demand on January 11, 2022.

By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

The Lost Treasure is an entertaining, fun and enjoyable movie. It has lots of action scenes, and really grabbed my attention. Plus it is very family friendly.

The film's storyline revolves around a small book that is very important to all of the characters. There are two teams that are independently working to win it back. They constantly go back and forth with who has hold of it. However, the treasure hunt that the special book takes you on is worth it!

Something that really stands out to me is the setting of this movie. Throughout the film the location for the characters is a pretty beach, on what looks to be a small island. The schenary is gorgeous. The ocean looks clear blue, and there's tons of beautiful flowers everywhere. I also like the concept of the story. The characters are all trying to get hold of a book, which leads them to a treasure hunt that eventually takes them to the treasure! However, the viewers don't realize this extended storyline until they are actually doing it. This creates good suspense, which always surprises the audience. Finally, it is very interesting how each character is so different from the next. They all have their own distinct personalities and way of thinking. Plus, each has their own style. For instance, Tanya (Stella Tnucci) wears a lot of unique clothing. Most of it stands out. I really liked this, because I'm very into clothes and personal style.

The message of this film is to never give up. If you want something badly enough, teamwork can always help you to achieve that goal. Be aware that this film does include the use of guns and swords.

I give The Lost Treasure 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 12. It releases on digital Jan 11, 2022.

By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, aged 15

SEE YOUTH COMMENTS

When a treasure hunter discovers his family ties to an ancient Hawaiian secret that's been lost for generations, he embarks on a quest to find and protect this mystical staff which, in the wrong hands, could lead to the island's doom.