Review of Holes (2003) by Russell G — 11 Mar 2014
Disney movies featuring real-action actors in their lower teens normally have paper-thin plots, bad acting, and only appeal to tweens. Pump the brakes, not this time. This is a fun filled unique and imaginative modern fairytale with a good cast.
A young and energetic Shia LaBeouf has presence, and he stands out in a cast that includes veterans like Sigourney Weaver, John Voight, and Tim Blake Nelson. The storytelling alternates between the present and a historical Wild West setting.
At first, the two stories do not seem directly related, but bit by bit they come together, in a rewarding manner. LaBeouf finds himself wrongfully labeled a degenerate troublemaker and must enroll in an unorthodox reform camp.
The troubled young men in the camp dig holes in the desert all day and receive minimal therapy. Something seems wrong right from the moment the main character arrives, and it turns out there is. The interactions between the campers are surprisingly enjoyable and the camp managers, Weaver, Vought, and Nelson certainly add a lot.
Throughout the movie, there is a nice touch of light humor. It does not try to take itself too seriously, and it keeps things fun, even as the story evolves into an offbeat fairytale. I enjoy this far more than I expected.
It would be nice to see more movies like this that are playful, yet still have good content.
This review of Holes (2003) was written by Russell G on 11 Mar 2014.
Holes has generally received positive reviews.
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