The Secret Kingdom movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Secret Kingdom

This Australian movie is now playing in select theaters and streaming online.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 38 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about anxious Peter (12) and his sister Verity (9), who are taken underground by a garrison of armored pangolin. “What is a pangolin?” you ask. You’ll have to watch the movie to find out, as well as learn about a bunch of other very creative creatures!

This imaginative film was directed and written by Matt Drummond. Well done, Matt!

THINGS I LIKED:

The young actors did a great job. They are Sam Everingham and Alyla Browne. Alyla is totally adorable.
For a movie about imagination, this movie is extremely creative.
The world-building is inventive and fun.
Children love solving riddles, and this movie has quite a few to figure out.
Children will be able to relate to at least one of the two main characters in the story.
Adults will enjoy the visual and spoken humor intended just for them.
Ultimately, the movie is family-friendly with some positive messages.
Keep watching during the final, rolling credits for a super short, funny clip.
Some French is spoken. I’ve been trying to learn French on Duolingo, so I was kind of excited about that little element of the movie.
Considering its small budget, the visual effects are pretty decent! This fantasy was a very ambitious movie to undertake!
Critics have been pretty harsh on this sweet, little film. It’s not going to win any awards, but it’s not as bad as some are saying. I enjoyed its creativity and spunk!

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Sometimes the voices don’t quite match up with the characters’ mouths.
It’s heartbreaking to watch the young boy suffer so much from his anxiety that he can hardly function.
It doesn’t always make logical sense. We are constantly being told new rules for the mysterious world.
We’re not really given a backstory. The movie just dives right in.
There are some bad acting moments.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

People and creatures are in perilous situations
No profanity
Lots of destruction

THEMES:

Fear
Courage
Family
Self-confidence
Using your wits
Imagination
The healing magic of being on an adventure

FUNNY LINES:

“I once saved your mother from a frog prince.” – David Drawmer (Chris Gabardi)
“Peril is not a word one wants to hear at great heights.” – Pling (Darius Williams)
“There will be no counting of the sheep.” – Ergo (Rowland Holmes)
“That’s the smell of inspiration!” – David Drawmer (Chris Gabardi)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Power come from quiet mind.” – Lumen
“Open mind. Let the flow.” – Lumen
“Just because you’re scared doesn’t mean you’re not brave.” – Verity Drawner (Alyla Browne)
“Everyone gets scared but not everyone does brave things.” – Verity Drawner (Alyla Browne)
“I own me.” – Peter Drawmer (Sam Everingham)