The Last Boy

I enjoyed the film. There were some moments where it missed the mark but overall it is kind of fasinating. I only thought afterwards that there was nothing in it that wasn't okay for for our kids to watch. We have a seven and eight year old. Can't think of another post apocalyptic film that you can watch with young children and they were mesmerised! Word of warning though expect never ending questions most of which you won't be able to answer. I ended up putting the movie on again for them and managed to get an hour and a half of peace and quiet before it all started again. There are a few moments which I would advise parents of very young children to be around for - when the wind attacks the priest was a little scary for them but only the first time. They did get upset as well but only when a certain something happens to a certain someone. But all smiles again at the end. I would expect this kind of film to come from a studio like Disney. For some reason it reminded me of the eighties science fiction film The Black Hole. No idea why. Anyway, they're both watching it again and my wife has been tasked with searching for a rucksack like Lillys for our daughter. I give it an 8.

A bit theatrical sci fi movie, but it has cool parts and nice drama. It definitely could've been much better if some more details were given in the story. Anyways, it's cool and I liked it.

Good movie and new concept as a Sci-Fi movie.Seems like there is a part 2 of this. However, this movie belongs to Sci-Fi category the director has to explain about the scientific phenomena behind the scene. Otherwise I will give 0 points to this movie because it should be belongs to fantasy.

After the hype created by Bird Box, I checked this out.

It's quite a departure for writer / director Perry Bhandal whose first movie was about a Hitman growing up in the slums of Romania. That movie was pretty well received and it would have been easy to Bhandal carry on down that route. Instead he's chosen to try something completely that couldn't be more different. The kind of choice that can either kill or accelerate a career.

Whilst it doesn't hit every mark he aims for it's a very good film and shows Bhandal's not your run of the mill filmaker interested in just churning out a single genre movies.

The movies drops us straight into the story. Somethings happened and we find out that most of the worlds population has disappeared and there's a lethal wind that's mopping up the rest of humanity. Like birdbox and the happening it ignores naure and the animals. The ecological message is loud and clear in this movie and Bhandal clearly thinks the world would be better off without humans (or a lot less of them).

It starts quickly with Sira played by Flynn Allen (who ably shoulders the lead role) sets off on his journey when his sick mother passes. His departure feels a little too quick but when you make the connection with where he is going you understand why.

He's joined by Lilly played my Matilda Freeman (who is brilliant) a little girl that got lost when her family was ambushed by the wind.

We also find that Sira has a scanner that can detect the wind so armed with this they set off to the place that grants wishes whilst trying to avoid this lethal wind.

They come across a bunch of characters, good, bad and misguided. Peter Guiness who plays the priest is particularly good.

Jennife Scott who plays a misguided scientists is new on the scene and is a pretty good actress and of course Luke Goss needs no introduction plays a sniper who has lost a loved one.

Each of the characters has a compelling reason to join Sira and Lilly on their journey to their ultimate destination and for that Bhandal should be congratulated for creating a compelling narrative.

There is an unexpected twist two thirds of the way in and the ending is almost like a religous experience.

The film is good. There is an environmental subtext to it. It is eerie, disturbing and mysterious. I can understand what Bhandal tried to do and he largely succeeded with a I would say a fantasy sci fi. It will be interesting to see what he does next.

I have to admit I am not usually a fan of dystopian movies. I don't enjoy their typically bleak and pessimistic undertones and often I find the characters quite unrelatable. That is not the case with 'The Last Boy'. I found it captivating. I found myself caring for the characters and what they were going through and I wanted to understand exactly what it was they were facing. There is an element of mystery here as the movie unravels exactly what is happening. I was on the edge of my seat many times. It doesn't answer all those questions completely, but I think that was intentional. It certainly had me thinking about this movie after it was over. I don't think it will be a long time till I watch it again. How refreshing and welcome to see a movie of this type that doesn't involve hormonally charged twenty-something year olds pretending to be seventeen year olds. Instead this movie is moving and poignant. The acting is great, the soundtrack is beautiful and enhances the story without assaulting your ear drums, and the effects are good but don't dominate the movie. At only 90 minutes in length, this movie never outstays its welcome. In fact, I would have been happy for it to last a bit longer, but that's okay. I find it odd that most reviews of this movie I have read suggest that the star is Luke Goss (who I have never heard of) who plays Jay when, in fact, it is young Flynn Allen as Sira who carries the film. The ending seems to suggest there could be a sequel to this. I don't know if I want that. This movie stands on its own and I would hate to see it be diminished by lesser follow ups. 'The Last Boy' is a great movie and I thoroughly recommend it.