Review of Band of Robbers (2016) by Sean H — 18 Jan 2016

There is a certain playful whimsy that gratifyingly encapsulates the idea of what Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn would be like if they had lived in modern times and grown up. In this particular rendition, Tom (writer/director Adam Nee) has become an officer of the law, but only so he can use his influence to allow his recently released from prison friend Huck (Kyle Gallner) to keep searching for that elusive Murel's treasure. The whole gang is here too from Injun Joe to Becky Thatcher.

Tom has it on good authority that the treasure is being kept in a safe in a pawnshop. He sets up an elaborate plan that goes completely awry from the get go. He spends the rest of the film trying to fix things but it only gets worse. I wouldn't say that hilarity necessarily ensues, but that playful whimsy gets you through the 95 minute running time.

Yes, the script is uneven and yes the story lurches along in odd ways that defy explanation but there is just enough to satisfy your palate. But then maybe I just love a good treasure map movie. The cast is unremarkable and its filled with several character actors you may or may not recognize from various TV shows. Was good to see Creed from The Office getting work and Kyle Gallner just keeps getting better and better looking as the years go by.

If you're looking for something offbeat that still has good production values (doesn't look like a student film), I'd check this one out on Netflix sometime, assuming it gets released there. Nothing worth paying for but a decent enough distraction on a snow day.

This Queen was moderately amused. 2 out of 5 rainbows.

1 rainbow - How did this get funded?

2 rainbows - You might find something of interest here but unlikely.

3 rainbows - Serves as a useful and entertaining enough distraction as a matinee.

4 rainbows - Stop reading this review and find a theater showing this film now!

5 rainbows - I'll need to find a spot for this in my Top 100 list. Absolutely flawless.