How to Build a Better Boy (2014)

Teenage tech whizzes unwittingly use military software to program a robotic boyfriend.

Director:

Paul Hoen

Writer:

Jason Mayland

Stars:

China Anne McClain, Kelli Berglund, Marshall Williams

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
China Anne McClain	...	Gabby Harrison
Kelli Berglund	...	Mae Hartley
Marshall Williams	...	Albert Banks
Matt Shively	...	Bart Hartley
Ashley Argota	...	Nevaeh Barnes
Noah Centineo	...	Jaden Stark
Roger Bart	...	Dr. James Hartley
Ron Lea	...	General McFee
Ieva Lucs	...	Major Jenks
Paulino Nunes	...	Zephyr
Matthew G. Taylor	...	Weevil (as Matt Taylor)
Alex Karzis	...	Pox
Christina Fox	...	Ella
Sasha Clements	...	Marnie
Jesse Camacho	...	Tony

Storyline

Follows high school sophomores Mae Hartley and Gabby Harrison, two tech-savvy best friends who devise a plan to create the perfect boyfriend with just a few strokes of the keyboard and a wireless connection. What Gabby and Mae don't realize is that the computer they use is set up to generate a robotic super soldier, which they have inadvertently activated in the form of Albert, a macho yet sensitive super cute boy.

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Plot Keywords:

artificially created boy | best friend | high school | taxi | shakespearean quotation | 

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Taglines:

Never underestimate two girls with a plan.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Production began in Toronto, Canada, at a high school called North Toronto Collegiate Institute. It is directed by Paul Hoen, executive produced by Robin Schorr and Adam Kossack, executive co-produced by Dan Seligmann and written by Jason Mayland.

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Goofs

Events are supposed to be taking place in the United States, yet they are playing football on a Canadian-styled field.

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Quotes

Gabby Harrison: Our circle may be small, but membership does have its privileges.

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Connections

References Inspector Gadget (1983)

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Soundtracks

Something Real
written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, IN-Q and Thomas Armato Sturges
Performed by Kelli Berglund and China Anne McClain

User Reviews

Classic Kids' Movie

This is a typical movie for kids. The movie is built on the like-ability of China Anne McClain. If you like CAMc, then you'll like the movie, and who doesn't like CAMc.

The movie starts with a conflict between China's BFF and a character played by Ashley Argota. The "bad girl" character is not something I'd expect see Ashley Argota play; plus, isn't she like 21 years old now? A little old to be playing a contemporary of China. Anyway, China's best friend said she had a boyfriend, and Ashley Argota doubted it so China, who plays a computer geek, decides to manufacture a fake online boyfriend.

She hacked into her dad's computer network to make up what she thought was a fake online boyfriend profile for her friend, but China didn't know that her dad was a defense contractor in the process of designing a super human robot soldier. China's hack activated this robot soldier who was programed to be China's BFF's boyfriend. It's a crazy story. And it's fun.

China thought she was just creating a fake online boyfriend who lives in a far away place, but imagine the surprise they got when the guy actually showed up at school. That's when the fun really started.

It's a fun movie. It's got a lot of laughs. It has a lot of adolescent hi jinx. But if you like China Anne, then you'll like this movie. And she is great in this movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

15 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

How to Build a Better Boy

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Schorr Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD