The Secret Kingdom

The comedy team "The Chaser" once said that we should preface all reviews of Australian films with "For an Australian Movie". Sadly, even with that preface, this movie still isn't good. Primarily, I really struggled with the acting which sounded like a crew from a local theatre group doing their first play. Special mention to the first scene in the curio shop, where the owner manages around 5 different accents in one line of dialogue! Surprisingly, the two child characters were actually some of the better actors. To be fair to the actors however, the script did them no favours with some painfully cheesy dialogue and scenes that were a collection of fantasy "the chosen one" tropes.

However it wasnt all awful, the CGI was solid and it had some sparks of fun especially in the second act of the movie early in the underground. It feels like a movie with significant potential that is never quite reached.

If you are at a loose end for an OK family movie and don't have many alternatives, then give the Secret Kingdom a try.. My kids (7 and 11) definitely enjoyed it more than the adults did.

I always say that the best children's movies are those which work on two levels: one which keeps the adults interested and chortling along and which flies above the heads of kids, and a second level which delights the kids and keeps them enthralled. The Paddington movies are a great example of this. By that standard, this is definitely not one of the best children's movies. The CGI in this movie and the special effects are top notch. The story is not. It's not even very original. You will recognise a lot of themes and concepts 'borrowed' from other, better movies as you watch this. Of the two main actors - both children - neither can act very well and one of them can't act at all. It's the pity there isn't more in this to appeal to older kids, teen and adults because I suspect that the story and themes may be a bit too complicated to hold the attention of younger kids, even though they're the target audience.

Sadly, it is really hard to recommend this movie. I guess it may be preferable to spending an evening re-arranging your sock drawer - but only just. Maybe.

I watched this with my 7 and 9 year old kids, I have to say WOW!. We absolutely loved it!

The visuals are amazing and the story hits out of the blue. I initially felt it started a little slowly as the kids just wanted to see the creatures but the story establishes itself with some things that really hit home later. Once the characters fall into the underground world it really gets going and there really is so much to look at. The visuals and the story are a lot bigger than what is shown in the trailers I saw. And Its Australian film! This is up there with anything you will see. It's a great adventure with a sweet story that prompted some thoughtful family conversation afterwards. Highly recommended.

The CGI is great given its an Australian film and not hollywood.

That said, the acting is bad. Cant really blame the kids though if the direction and editing falters too, which it does hilariously. Not only does the director fail to get his cast to put in some semblance of credibility, the editing dept too fails to get proper cuts in to keep the storyline fluid which inherently, also lacks depth and coherence.

The movie begins without any backstory or events leading up to the present, things start happening and before you know it, you are off riding on some creature's back(dragon?). In the end the story twists into an unexpected psychological tale wholly unrelated to preceding events. Basically its all an incredulous mix mashup of various stories told many times before only this time the director threw in everything into the stew all at once and forgot to stir the pot.

Saved by the Ending, Dragged by the Dialogue

The Secret Kingdom tries so hard to summon that NeverEnding Story magic, but it swings with the earnest desperation of Casey at the bat... and misses just as hard. Like, ball's in the bleachers and Casey's spinning in the dirt.

From the outset, you can tell it wants to be a fantastical childhood quest with heart and depth. What we actually get is a CGI pangolin, magical rock politics, and dialogue so wooden I half-expected termites in the credits.

MVP? Verity. The little sister is the only one with real personality. She's the soul of the movie, even if the script hands her the occasional clunker. The rest of the cast is serviceable, but trapped in archetypes so thin they could be blown away by a sigh.

Runner-up? The kids going on a quest in their pajamas. Genuinely charming. Big Bedknobs and Broomsticks energy, or Arthur Dent in Narnia. It's the only time the movie brushes against whimsy and doesn't pull back in fear.

Production values are fine. Acting's decent. Worldbuilding feels like someone flipped open a fantasy name generator and called it lore. Plot? Bland. Stakes? Artificial. But...

...the ending. Somehow, miraculously, it lands. It made me feel something, and not just rage at wasted potential. It doesn't justify the full runtime, but it salvages the wreckage and sends you out on a grace note instead of a groan.

Final verdict: a film that tries way too hard, stumbles most of the way, but sticks the landing well enough to earn a polite golf clap.

Wouldn't recommend to everyone, but not a total waste either. I would not watch it again.