O Segredo da Mansão Crocodilo

I really liked this movie. It is well acted, looks good, and has enough plot twists to keep both adults and kids engrossed till the very end. This is definitely a cut above many kids' movies. Nothing was dumbed down. Congratulations for crediting children with having intelligence and not going down the path followed by Nickelodeon and a number of recent Disney movies. The only complaint I had about the copy of this I watched was that it had been dubbed into English. I find it a bit unsettling when the words spoken and the speaker's lips are definitely not in sync. To be fair though, I guess the dubbing is more suitable than subtitles for young ones. Once I got over that one annoyance, I found myself really enjoying this. I was on the edge of my seat on a few occasions. A word of caution to parents though: this movie deals with a young boy investigating the mysterious death of a young girl over 40 years before. Some parents may find that subject matter unsuitable for younger kids. There is nothing morbid or inappropriate in how the matter is handled though, and if your kids can handle Harry Potter they will have no trouble with this. In short, a really superior movie.

Victor is a clever young boy. His family recently moved into the old house of their uncle, but he still has to adapt to the strange new environment. His parents have to leave to attend a trade show while he stays behind with his older sisters.

Triggered by a disturbing encounter, Victor comes across a 40 year old mystery. A girl named Cäcilie died in the same house under unknown circumstances. She had a secret and Victor becomes obsessed with solving it. But following her pointers is hard, if not dangerous under the eyes of the houses other suspicious inhabitants...

To come to a fair judgment of this movie, you have to keep in mind, that it was made for a younger audience. It's only slightly creepy in comparison to mystery thrillers for grown ups, but there's enough tension and mystery to keep you well entertained from the start to the finale.

Luckily the tone is not goofy, a trap many children's movies fall into. In fact I have little complains at all.

The script is well thought out. There are only a few moments, especially those where Victor tries to explain his observations to adults, that could have been better. I think he should be smart enough to know, how unbelievable his findings are, and he has to back them up with evidence, before anybody will believe him.

The young lead actor is able to shoulder the entire movie, which is quite remarkable. I gotta say the entire cast does a great job.

The atmosphere is quite tense for the most time and is created with cool, sometimes stunning sets (behold that stairwell) and a score that captures the mood perfectly.

Very good, not only for kids!

At first I did not think that I would like it. After the first fifth teen minutes, I was hooked. I really loved it. The was wonderful and great closure. The actors work great with each other. The location was fabulous. The story was very believable. I could not stop watching. I loved the house and time-lined pieces that was added. I love movies that have closure. I would love to be in one of the movies. This is the first time I have seen one of his films and it will not be the last! I have already been looking up more writings from all the writers. I think I am going to look for the original series that was done in Germany as well.

I liked the mystery, the almost mature and complicit relationship between the brothers, the air of mystery sounds childish and silly, but fun and charming ... A cute mystery...