Minor Spoilers Ahead-'Catch That Kid' is not a bad film for a younger (pre-13) audience. The three kids are all pleasant and competent-Kristen Stewart (a younger and shorter Portman/Knightley type), Corbin Bleu, and Max Thieriot are all talented kids.
However beware-the screenplay is VERY weak in the credibility department. But if you can accept the idea of three kids robbing a super-secure bank vault then you can probably overlook the obvious plot flaw-how they will explain where they got the $250,000 for her father's operation. The problem is that the kids are played as far too intelligent to overlook such an obvious issue. Then you get into the moral/ethical dilemma of stealing-the scriptwriters try (unconvincingly) to solve this by having Stewart's character say that she will pay it all back. Bottom line-be prepared to buy into a moronically contrived story (at least 'The Perfect Score' had a solid story foundation).
Director Bart Freundlich and Director of Photography Julio Macat should take a look at some 'Saddle Club' episodes before they make another film targeted toward this age group. Hey guys-it is all about kids in the audience bonding with the kids in the production. 'Saddle Club' does that with mega close-ups and extreme close-ups. Almost every shot in 'Catch That Kid' should have been tighter (wide shots should have been close-ups, close-ups should have been extreme close-ups, etc. etc.). Watch the DVD with the zoom switch activated and you will see how it should have been shot. Also turn on the actors' commentary which is quite unaffected and really adds to the charm of the film.
Finally be sure to watch the 'Gone Nutty' short on the DVD-great animation!!
However beware-the screenplay is VERY weak in the credibility department. But if you can accept the idea of three kids robbing a super-secure bank vault then you can probably overlook the obvious plot flaw-how they will explain where they got the $250,000 for her father's operation. The problem is that the kids are played as far too intelligent to overlook such an obvious issue. Then you get into the moral/ethical dilemma of stealing-the scriptwriters try (unconvincingly) to solve this by having Stewart's character say that she will pay it all back. Bottom line-be prepared to buy into a moronically contrived story (at least 'The Perfect Score' had a solid story foundation).
Director Bart Freundlich and Director of Photography Julio Macat should take a look at some 'Saddle Club' episodes before they make another film targeted toward this age group. Hey guys-it is all about kids in the audience bonding with the kids in the production. 'Saddle Club' does that with mega close-ups and extreme close-ups. Almost every shot in 'Catch That Kid' should have been tighter (wide shots should have been close-ups, close-ups should have been extreme close-ups, etc. etc.). Watch the DVD with the zoom switch activated and you will see how it should have been shot. Also turn on the actors' commentary which is quite unaffected and really adds to the charm of the film.
Finally be sure to watch the 'Gone Nutty' short on the DVD-great animation!!