Kiwi Flyer

This movie was very much a feel good family movie. I took my 9 year old along because my wife had read about it and thought our son might enjoy it. He did not want to go and was grumpy all the way. But he loved the movie and chatted about it all the way home. Well made old style family movie like Disney used to make before they went off track (not counting the PIXAR stuff which are great). Well cast kid actors who were very believable and it was great to see Vince Martin on the big screen again. Another solid performance from Tandi Wright as the mother and I enjoyed Dai Henwood's quirky performance as the kid's teacher. Well directed with some nice views of Nelson. The story line was reasonably predictable but that did not detract from the overall enjoyment.

There are no dogs in this film.

Not that are characters, anyway.

Nonetheless, it is a very sweet movie that would be absolutely perfect for a 9- and 6-year-old to watch for fun with their parents! It's overall message is a positive, uplifting one, and the New Zealand accents add some much-needed flavor for American audiences. As a family, we often look through Netflix for something to watch on a Saturday night, and at times the pickings are decidedly slim. This movie has some silly parts for the younger kids, an innocent grade-school romantic subplot and lots of soapbox derby cars. The New Zealand scenery is interesting for the parents. This is a good choice.

Kiwi Flyer or "Derby dogs" as it's known on Amazon Prime, despite having no dogs in except on the film poster (why?!) is not a very good film. It reminded me a bit like a really poor Wes Anderson film. I'm surprised at the other reviews giving it decent scores.

Acting is below standard and the script is the usual with a couple of funny scenes and lines but nothing extraordinary.

3/10: Below average and a 3 is generous but I've watched worse, very formulaic and not adventurous in the plot.

This is a good family film. It's a little on the naughty side, with a word or two getting bleeped out and some violence of the school bully variety, and some great toilet humor. There is chicken manure and two great gags with porta-potties. And lots and lots of slapstick violence.

There are moral dilemmas to deal with, but solutions are found to these that one might not expect. Good sportsmanship is an important lesson here. And hard work, research, and determination are highlighted.

No, it's not a masterpiece, but it's an enjoyable experience.

Kiwi Flyer is a great little kids movie centered around the iconic Collingwood St Trolley Derby that has been running off and on since the early 60's. The movie is a lot of good clean fun and follows 12 year old Ben's attempts to win the Derby... he has to contend with a devious Aussie used car dealer who is determined that his family will win at any cost.... so don't expect this movie to be a big seller over the ditch in Australia but Kiwi's will love it ( we love anything that beats Australia ! ) It is a fun filled , fast moving , clean movie ( except for a few pooh jokes that the kids find very funny) that kids will love. It is fun and a return to old values that we see very little of these days and there are some good performances by the international and local cast.

Nelson shows up as one of the major players ... filmed in great sunny weather the city and it's surrounds really shine ... If you are planning a trip here see the movie or if not you will be after you see it. This is a must see for your kids ( 6 to 12 ) these holidays and the adults will enjoy this as well ... it is a fun, easy watch enjoy it as it is all about life and kids finding their way ... Fun fun fun .... 4 stars ....