Stormbreaker (2006)

After the death of his uncle, the 14-year-old schoolboy Alex Rider is forced by the Special Operations Division of the UK's secret intelligence service, MI6, into a mission which will save millions of lives.

Director:

Geoffrey Sax

Writers:

Anthony Horowitz (novel), Anthony Horowitz (screenplay)

Stars:

Alex Pettyfer, Mickey Rourke, Sophie Okonedo

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sarah Bolger	...	Sabina Pleasure
Robbie Coltrane	...	Prime Minister
Stephen Fry	...	Smithers
Damian Lewis	...	Yassen Gregorovich
Ewan McGregor	...	Ian Rider
Bill Nighy	...	Alan Blunt
Sophie Okonedo	...	Mrs. Jones
Alex Pettyfer	...	Alex Rider
Missi Pyle	...	Nadia Vole
Mickey Rourke	...	Darrius Sayle
Andy Serkis	...	Mr. Grin
Alicia Silverstone	...	Jack Starbright
Ashley Walters	...	Wolf
Alex Barrett	...	Gary
Richard Huw	...	Teacher

Storyline

Alex Rider thinks he is a normal school boy, until his uncle is killed. He discovers that his uncle was actually then redirected up a mountain in his coffin for burial. Alex is recruited by Alan Blunt to continue the mission. He is sent to Cornwall to investigate a new computer system, which Darrius Sayle has created. He plans to give the new computer systems to every school in the country, but Mr. Blunt has other ideas and Alex must find out what it is.

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Plot Keywords:

teenage boy | spy mission | child in danger | cricket the sport | railway station | 

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Taglines:

Action. Adrenaline. Adventure.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Family | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sequences of action violence and some peril

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anthony Horowitz named the company that distributes Alex Rider Stormbreaker Productions, after the first book in the series.

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Goofs

The "Zit" cream that is given to Alex Rider allegedly will burn through any metal, but is harmless to a person's skin. When trapped in the aquarium with the giant Man of War jellyfish he uses the cream against the metal supports of the aquarium. This is impossible, as salt water aquariums can have no metal in them, as metal can drastically change the PH balance of the aquarium, and kill any creature in it.

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Quotes

Alex Rider: This doesn't change anything. You killed my uncle. You're still my enemy.
Yassen Gregorovich: I have a lot of enemies.

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Connections

References Goldfinger (1964)

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Soundtracks

Be My Saviour
Written by Colin MacIntyre
Performed by Colin MacIntyre
Published by Copyright Control
Courtesy of Terra Artists Management Ltd.

User Reviews

A Novelist does not a screenwriter make

Stormbreaker is the first film from Anthony Howowitz's successful Alex Rider novel series for Young Adults, think Cody Banks, Johnny English and James Bond.       

It's a spy film for teens and kids and though it's well crafted, we've seen it all before. There has been a lot of criticism leveled at this film, which this reviewer believes is a little harsh. There are some fine performances, including the lead, Alex Pettyfey who was chosen over five hundred others. Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Fry and Mickey Rourke also do an adequate job, but it's the veteran Bill Nighy who turns in the most entertaining role as Alex's boss.          

Someone close to Alex is more than he seems. Now that torch has been passed to Alex, whether he is really ready for it or not.     

There are several twists and turns as well as some impressive action scenes, but a lot of it is stagy and a little contrived, particularly the character of Nadia Vole who is just plain silly.     

There is little suspense and much is predictable. It really doesn't differ enough from similar teen fair which is a shame as Howowitz's books predate the other films it so closely resembles. However he wrote the script himself and only has himself to blame. I would have liked to see the series develop, however with only half of its 40 million dollar budget recouped in its worldwide theatrical release, it appears unlikely. Its DVD life will determine its ultimate future.     

However there's enough for kids to enjoy and that's really who it's aimed at.

Details

Country:

UK USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker

Filming Locations:

Hyde Park Corner, Hyde Park, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP40,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$677,646

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,937,870

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuelson Productions, Isle of Man Film, The Weinstein Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1