The Last Mimzy (2007)

Great Family Movie

This is movie is a family movie. It had something for everyone. I highly recommend. Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Emma stole the show. A must see. August 13, 2008

A New Age E.T.

It's almost impossible to find a good live-action family film that captures magic anymore. From the utterly boring "Water Horse" or the laundry list of fantasy film clones that come out each year. This movie on the other hand is different from the rest. Words like "Clone" and "Boring" don't belong anywhere near this movie. Instead, words like "Original," "Captivating," "Cute," and "Weird" are used. Now, how many family films come anything close to original nowadays? If you're tired of the standard fare, or at least want a new twist to it, look no further.

Basically, global warming has wreaked havoc in future Earth, and a brilliant scientist has devised a way to save it, by sending stuffed rabbits and toys to the past, to receive the special item that will save humanity. One of these care packages lands in the hand of two kids, one of whom is already bright (we're never privy as to why), and since they don't know how to keep a secret, trouble soon starts as the toys get feisty, and time starts running out.

The cast does a good job with their roles. The kids are cute of course, and they do a very good job. And I might be partial, but Rainn Wilson does a perfect job as his dreaming teacher. His parter also does a good job, and Michael Clark Duncan is fine with what little he's given. The dad, although sometimes nonexistent, whether he's there or not, also does ok. But the mother on the other hand, greatly detracted from the movie for me. I mean, she's half off her rocker, and she's so annoying and emotional and crazed with every half-brained and annoying thing she does. Such an over-reactor, I was like, somebody do a major rewrite of this character. Believe it or not, she's the very low-point of the this very good movie. And it's a tie between her and government for the movie's "villain." I hated her character so much; this movie gets downgraded half a point on my scale.

Anyways, the story moves along rather quickly, and the backstory is almost non-existent, but the rest of it certainly keeps you interested and entertained. It's fun to watch these kids have all these cool abilities, and to watch a five-year old girl be smarter than the brightest minds man currently has to offer. You'll certinly get giddy during some of the moments, and you'll feel the emotion and tenseness during other moments. This movie draws you into it, and makes you feel for the girl and her otherworldly bunny. And makes you hate the mother all the more when she agonizingly takes the bunny away.

While all these elements make for an excellent film, some might be offended, or further weirded out by the ever-present new age aspects. So present in fact, they ground the story, which might offend parents that are more traditional. Even if it doesn't offend you, it will certainly weird you out.

Overall, while some might think the movie is too out in left field, many might take it as the original movie it is. While not perfect, it'll make you wide-eyed, and bring out a sense of wonder, no matter how ridiculous or futuristic the movie might seem. So, next family movie night, pick up this underrated popcorn flick, and prepare for your little ones to become even more attached to their stuffed animal than they already are.

Real Score: 4.5

By the way, I hated the infinifilm edition of this film. I mean, they can't have all the 30-second special features all grouped together. Nope, you have to search for them by watching the movie all over again. And even when you do find them, they're lame at best. The fact track sucks even worse, giving information that is useless and uninteresting at best. Really, DVD On TV and AMC Enhanced TV is superior at this, and the DVD shouldn't be trying to copy those shows anyhow. August 12, 2008

Had lots of potential

Unfortunately, it just didn't touch on any of the potential that was there. The potential that made me buy this movie. It's a cross between ET and Close Encounters of The Third Kind, but without the flair and panache of Steven Spielberg. And aimed primarily at kids. With kids for leads, who can't really act.

Reading the blurb on the back of the DVD, it holds so much promise. But there was so many segments of the movie that could have been extended and elaborated. It felt so truncated at times, but then at the same time it felt overlong. The segment that annoyed me was the scene where the girl looks into the future, and sees the old man messing about. Why was he there? What exactly was he doing? Couldn't she have talked to him? Couldn't there have been SOME interaction? If they weren't going to explain it, it was unnecessary to the movie.

For a children's movie, it was certainly tedious. In my opinion, I expect a children's movie to be short and to the point. This was nowhere near that. Every scene dragged, to the point where it got to 30 minutes in, and I nearly gave up. Thinking something would happen, and I still hadn't seen Michael Clarke Duncan yet - but when he did appear, it was very brief, and very pointless.

The two kids irritated me. I really should stop buying these movies, cos the child actors do really annoy me, they either can't act, or are just OTT in their acting skills.

Really, the whole film just annoyed me, and it just seemed like a waste of time once I'd finished watching it. I'm not going to recommend this movie to anyone. It's just a waste of your time watching it. August 10, 2008

Cute and enjoyable, but comes very close to pissing some people off

My 6 year old loved it. The story is sweet and imaginative, the acting is what you'd expect from young kids. I'm probably one of the most skeptical, cynical people you'll know, but I loved the uplifting ending. Why? Because it's fantasy! Yes, few things about the story are believable here, but neither was it believable when Elliott escaped with E.T. and flew him to safety on his bike. This is a sci-fi kids movie. It isn't for us to marvel at how realistic the story is, it's for kids to let their imaginations soar and pretend they can do this sort of stuff. So... why did I only give this movie 3 stars? Two words: environmentalist propaganda. I'm really tired of all the RUBBISH about how technology is evil, and how we're destroying this world, and how in order to save it we should all trash our SUVs, unplug our computers, become vegans, and spend our days meditating and connecting to mother Earth... My kids definitely don't need to hear any of it. It wasn't even the message itself that got me, but the fact that it does not connect whatsoever with the main storyline. What the heck do mandalas and palm-reading have to do with a dying future that's looking for unpolluted DNA from the past? It simply did not fit, and seemed like someone's clever (NOT) attempt to push their nonsensical beliefs on the viewers in the guise of a cute and cuddly kids sci-fi movie. July 27, 2008

an exceptional performance in a nice movie

I saw this movie on cable almost by accident when nothing else was on. And I loved the movie and then immediately bought the dvd. This is a very nice movie. The movie was well cast with mostly unknown or less known actors. The children were terrific and Rhiannon Leigh Wryn gave one of the best child acting performances ever. She was winning and delightful in every scene. She never under or over played her part and she remained a quiet yet forceful presence who carried the movie. She lit up the screen every time she appeared and you felt the emotions that she felt from joy to wonder to fear to sadness. She had a very expressive face that continued or concluded a scene with a look or a smile without the need for spoken lines. Very good in every respect. The story has been outlined before but it should suffice to say that it was a nice and entertaining story. It is a very very light movie. No heavy thinking, no major drama, no intellectual rigor. It really is just a nice movie that will keep you attentive and entertained to the end. And that's what this movie was meant to do. The movie had some moments that I would have done differently and a few scenes seemed too easy or a bit forced. But overall I recommend the movie for all ages. And, by the way, I loved the roger waters song and the extras on the dvd are definitely worth a look. June 4, 2008

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