The storyline follows a young girl, Jaz (Leah Park), who doesn't want her step dad, Lloyd (Garfield Wilson) to join her family so she tries to make her friends steal some of his stuff - but they end up not going along with it and actually liking him.
The plot is a bit confusing. It is a story about the child of divorced parents who doesn't want change in her life. Although the film doesn't offer anything new in terms of blended families, the story plays out well and is well developed from writing to execution. Plus, I love their very diverse group of cast and crew. The production values are quite good. I particularly enjoyed the varied camera angles, showing different points of view from the girl, her friends and the stepdad. The lighting is exceptionally well done, which is a challenge with so many indoor shots. I like the quirky movements like when the girls do cartwheels in the hall to move from one room to another. And the props are fun and slightly goofy also. The background music works - although I found it annoying at times. Jaz (Leah Park) shows noticeable growth. At the beginning she is abrupt, irate and whiney. She just wants to get rid of her stepdad - even to the point of planning to violently attack him - though her friends are terrified at that idea. As the film develops, and her friends tell her that the guy is cool, she finally manages to accept that her step dad is now part of her family and discovers that change may not be so horrible after all. The best part of the film is how they switch from young girls to adults and portray themselves as secret agents.
The film's message is that not all change is bad. It can be exciting and beneficial. It can still be hard though.
I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST!
The storyline follows a young girl, Jaz (Leah Park), who doesn't want her step dad, Lloyd (Garfield Wilson) to join her family so she tries to make her friends steal some of his stuff - but they end up not going along with it and actually liking him.
The plot is a bit confusing. It is a story about the child of divorced parents who doesn't want change in her life. Although the film doesn't offer anything new in terms of blended families, the story plays out well and is well developed from writing to execution. Plus, I love their very diverse group of cast and crew. The production values are quite good. I particularly enjoyed the varied camera angles, showing different points of view from the girl, her friends and the stepdad. The lighting is exceptionally well done, which is a challenge with so many indoor shots. I like the quirky movements like when the girls do cartwheels in the hall to move from one room to another. And the props are fun and slightly goofy also. The background music works - although I found it annoying at times. Jaz (Leah Park) shows noticeable growth. At the beginning she is abrupt, irate and whiney. She just wants to get rid of her stepdad - even to the point of planning to violently attack him - though her friends are terrified at that idea. As the film develops, and her friends tell her that the guy is cool, she finally manages to accept that her step dad is now part of her family and discovers that change may not be so horrible after all. The best part of the film is how they switch from young girls to adults and portray themselves as secret agents.
The film's message is that not all change is bad. It can be exciting and beneficial. It can still be hard though.
I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!
