Earth to Echo - Film Review

Tuck, Munch and Alex are a trio of close knit friends living in a small town due to be destroyed by a highway construction project, which means their families have to move out of the neighbourhood. When the boys start receiving strange encoded messages on their mobile phones, they set about trying to solve the mystery. On their last night together, the boys embark on an epic adventure into the desert that leads to an amazing discovery...an alien trying to find his way home.

The boys, joined by school friend Emma, have to help the alien, that they call Echo, to rebuild his device, find his ship and protect him from the government agents who are hot on their heels.

Their journey is documented by Tuck for his video channel, and the film uses this 'found footage' along with a first person narrative as a vehicle for the story.  This format keeps it all very pacy and relevant to its young target audience.

The film has been hailed as 'ET for a new generation'.  There are definite glimpses of ET, Flight of the Navigator and Batteries Not Included in this movie, but the main character Echo takes a bit of a backseat to the overriding theme of friendship and growing up.  I would have liked to have seen more of Echo, because when he did do things, it was really impressive!  He is also a really cute little creature and I would have liked to explore his story a bit more.

The young cast are great and the relationship between them felt authentic.  Their friendship and the threat of losing their homes and each other is explored through their experience with Echo.  It's a coming of age movie where the children learn the true meaning of loyalty, friendship and courage as they strive to do what is ultimately the right thing (even if that entails the slightly dubious activities of breaking and entering, trespassing and car theft!)

There are a few great action sequences.  But I was left wanting more because Echo's ability to manipulate metal objects created some awesome moments and ingenious special effects.  One particular scene involving a close shave with a lorry was simply brilliant.

All in all, this is a great film for older children who will enjoy the human element of the story and the coming of age adventure that the four kids go through.  The sci-fi element is not the biggest part of the film and the alien is not the lead character, but it provides the background to the plot and gives the characters the life lessons that leads them to summise that friendship is friendship, no matter how many miles lie between you, and that you can make a difference in this world.


         


Release date November 17th 2014.
Certificate PG

Snowmen Film Review

Out now on DVD from Arrow Films, Snowmen is the heart-warming coming of age drama starring Ray Liotta and Christopher Lloyd.  The film focuses on three unlikely young heroes and a winter that changes their lives when they decide to try to break a Guiness World Record.  They battle bullies and unite the community in their endeavours to do something that they will be remembered for.

The themes in this movie include death, illness and bullying, so it is in parts a very emotional watch.  However, the over-riding theme is that of friendship and the fact that true friendships will endure through thick and thin and that everyone counts.  My girls and I sat down to watch the review copy that we were sent, not knowing the storyline and we were gripped from the start.  We all cried during certain scenes and shouted at the TV in outrage during others.  It really did suck us in to the emotions of the film.

This film is half sweet and sentimental and half very sad and distressing.  The values and lessons portrayed in this film remind us that living a good life and being the best we can be is what really matters in this life.  The young lead portrays Billy, the troubled boy who wants to leave his mark, beautifully.  The friendship between him and his friends is heartwarming and the end scenes are infused with real feel good stuff!  There are some funny moments and some very distressing scenes.  Together this blend of content makes this a really enjoyable film (although possibly not for very young children thus the PG certificate.)  I highly recommend this for a life-affirming family movie that will definitely move you!

Snowmen is out now to buy from good stockists including Amazon where it is currently just £7!  It will make a great stocking filler or make a fab festive family film night.