Message in a Cell Phone

Once you get past the implausibility of the falsely-imprisoned father/cop encouraging his 11-y/o son to unravel and confront the murderous conspiracy that put him in jail, this movie is actually quite good. Well, there is the coincidence of the cell phone with the message in it just happening to fall into the hands of the protagonist (Nick Whitaker) and his buddies, but that one's pretty standard and necessary to make the story happen. Anyway, once things get going, the three boys really show their stuff: they're ingenious and creative without unrealistic precocity; they're loyal to and willing to take risks for each other, but not without reservations and bitching; and they act independent of and ofttimes in opposition to the skein of adult strictures. The last is always my primary test of a kid movie, i.e. whether or not the characters initiate and carry through reasonable actions and solve problems on their own -- especially in ways that draw on the special skills and abilities that children possess and adults do not. This film gets high marks in that department. I also liked that the threesome of pals represented three very different types of boys -- maybe a bit exaggerated -- and formed an engaging "three musketeers" with at least one of whom any young person watching could identify.

Chase's father, a policeman, is wrongly imprisoned. A few month's later, during Summer break, Chase (Nick Whitaker) answers a call on a mislaid cell phone and an adventure begins, aided by his two pals, Mac and Jeremy (James Laub & Robbi Merrill). Conveniently for the plot, the owner of the cell phone is tied up with the baddies responsible for Chase's dad being in prison, and someone is desperate to get the phone back because of the incriminating information it can access.

This is a well-made children's comedy-action-crime-drama, well-paced, good acting (particularly young Nick Whitaker in the lead role), and some decent moments of suspense and tension. It is suitable as a family movie, otherwise it should keep a wide range of kids happy for the duration.

Boy picks up phone, tries to return it to owner. Overhears owner's murder and keeps the phone. Spends the entire movie refusing to give the phone up to the suspicious characters who try to claim it. With some digging finds there is a bit more to the scenario.

I have probably just described as much about the bad guys as the film did. This movie is essentially about the three kids. They actually do a pretty good job of carrying the film. Clearly not in the league of 'Stand By Me' or 'The Goonies', but as the kiddie adventure goes this is not all bad.

Some times I do wonder what adults think they are doing acting the stereotypical characters we did as children. The director should really pull them into shape and get them to act more realistically.

Finally to round off this spiel, the plot. Quickly moving on... The whole film actually picks up a good pace after a while, if you make it that far. I'm not going to pretend this film is excellent or terribly poor. It does have a mix of annoyances as well as some good parts. Those good parts made it worth my time, but beware if you can only see the bad bits you will be disappointed.