Garoto Prodígio

This is a good movie with a solid plot but I can't help but feel that it could have been so much more. I looked to see how far through the movie I was and was surprised that it was almost over when it really hadn't built up any climax for the ending. It's a cool, gritty movie and certainly worth the watch but there wasn't much of a progressive story and the timing seemed a little undesirable. The acting was pretty good, the action scenes were exciting but didn't last long. I'm disappointed that there was really no 'boss fight', I feel that the last 20-30 minutes could have been really thrilling if the ending was written better. Although if you treat this as a drama rather than a crime thriller the actual end scenes were pretty cool and clever.

Overall I'd give this movie a 7 out of 10, it's above average but not exactly on the end of your seat thrilling or something you'd want to watch over and over again.

It's no surprise Boy Wonder won Best Editing at the Rhode Island Film Festival. Being a resident of Providence, I always try to make my way to the fest each year. And while every film at the fest is most definitely a hit or miss, I can honestly say I haven't seen such a stellar film as this fest in a long time as good as Boy Wonder. Not only was the editing intensely good (hence the award), but the cinematography was gorgeous and the story was strong. Expect to see Caleb Steinmeyer in the near future. There's no way some up-and-coming director won't want to hire this kid. What a great performance. His intensity and method acting was incredible in this film. And and all, if you have a chance to see this film, I highly suggest you do. You won't be disappointed.

The teenager Sean Donovan (Caleb Steinmeyer) is a brilliant but shy student that lives with his father Terry Donovan (Bill Sage) in Brooklyn. Sean has a trauma since he has witnessed the murder of his mother in a carjack nine years ago. Sean frequently goes to the precinct to see criminal photos expecting to identify the killer of his mother and he is an amateurish boxer. During the night, Sean secretly is a vigilante, seeking out brutal criminals based on the police files to eliminate them.

The efficient police lieutenant Teresa Ames (Zulay Henao) has been just promoted after capturing the notorious gangster Larry Childs (James Russo) and transferred to work in the Homicide Department in the precinct where Sean uses to go. When Sean helps Teresa to change her flat tire, she befriends Sean and leans his traumatic story. But when she notes that Sean was searching in the computer of the police department the pimp that was murdered, she suspects that the troubled teenager might be the vigilante that is killing in New York City.

The unknown "Wonder Boy" is a dramatic thriller with a complex and well developed story of revenge. The characters are perfectly developed and Caleb Steinmeyer and Zulay Henao have great performances. The awesome conclusion shocks and shows how dangerous it to judge based on suppositions. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Garoto Prodígio" ("Boy Prodigy")

I am something of a film festival nerd. I saw Boy Wonder screen at the Sedona Film festival and was impressed with the film there. I knew there was something to be said for the crazy fight scenes and realistic nature of it all. I was in Chicago visiting friends this past weekend and they wanted to go to the C2E2 thing there for the day...and of course knowing it was going on while I was in town meant that we were for sure gonna go. I stumbled upon the Boy Wonder booth and realized that I was going not only get to see the movie again but that I could give my friends the pleasure of seeing it as well. Being in the comic book environment almost gave this film a whole new meaning. The audience was just as impressed with the realness of the film as I was. I've been waiting for someone to do a film like this for a long time..one that stays true to what comic books are really about. While I didn't get into Teresa Ames too much the character of Sean blew me away even the second time around. This movie is legit and not legit like Hollywood put a bunch of money into something and marketed the hell out of it..its legit like had a low budget made a good looking film and has quality story and characters. If you get a chance see this movie when it comes near you your time wont be wasted..even if you are one of those only see movies with major players in it kind of person....you should go anyway..expand your horizons. Anyway I usually don't take the time to write reviews but when a good indie film comes around and I think people should know about it...I give up some of my time for the cause.

I don't usually write reviews, and I don't usually give tens to just any movie, but this one, my God, this one deserves a ten. The whole movie is fantastic, solid, amazing. The actors, specially Caleb are above amazing. Truly fantastic performances. The script is fantastic, and the end, the end is in one word: EPIC! Definitely you must see this one. I really loved the movie and it's a shame this director hasn't had more chances to do any more movies. Congratulations to the all team who did this piece of art. Fantastic. Amazing! Brutal! Go see it! It's a hell of a joyride. When I saw the cover I thought: "a rip-off of The Crow!" Boy, was I wrong!