Phonearl
Good start, but then it gets ruined
MamaGravity
good back-story, and good acting
Intcatinfo
A Masterpiece!
Scotty Burke
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
tinant
It was lovely to encounter this movie. For once it was a nice light film without the intensity even a lot of family films are these days. While it was light it was just poignant enough to make it interesting. I liked the anti-bullying message in it as well. Sam Worthington was excellent as a father struggling with depression after the death of his wife. Young Oxenbould did a good job as well. The scenes in Japan were idyllic and the whole film had a kind of magical feel. This is a good film to watch with the family or if you are in the mood for a pleasant non -jarring film. I enjoyed the real yet slightly surreal atmosphere of the movie as well. It was realist and yet with a touch of magic realism as well. Overall a good Aussie family film!
Aktham Tashtush
So the movie doesn't really have a strong plot or even that intriguing eventful story but it was really enjoyable i think the fact that it is predictable makes you concentrate of the events flowing rather than what's gonna happen next .. The idea of the movie is new, never heard of a paper planes contest and it probably doesn't exist "apart from down under" and i think that what made the movie a bit more appealing and watchable. The script is average like these type of Family genre movies doesn't really need too much complications on the screenplay.As for the cast; Sam Worthington appearance was nice, haven't seen him in ages !! since like Avatar !!! Ed Oxenbould's performance was spot on , he's a star on the making .. and also that chubby kid Julian Dennison gosh he's really funny.Overall, the movie is not that strong, speaking in matter of the plot or the script but the story is new and i enjoyed watching it.
stephendaxter
At first this movie may seem like it is just a film about trying to build the best paper plane in the world but the film encompasses so much more than that. The actual plane building makes up some portions of the film but the rest actually is spent with getting to know the characters and seeing some relationships evolve over the course of the film. This movie had a lot of heart and many emotional scenes especially when it is following the boy's relationship with his father. You really understand these two characters and get to know them and see them really grow. Sam Worthington (Jack) and Ed Oxenbould (Dylan) were great in the film, their relationship felt real and you could buy into their actions and decisions. The overall story was carried by these two characters, mostly the child as you see him progress through the paper plane competition. It is an interesting story, although there was a section 3/4 into the movie that i felt slowed down a little too much just momentarily, but then it picked itself up ad finished off pretty strong. Where i felt the film could have done a lot better is with the supporting cast. Well, excluding the grandpa, he was the comedic relief in the film and i would have to say he was pretty entertaining and did lighten the mood a few times. There was one bit that was a bit too silly and dramatised but he wasn't the issue. I'm mainly talking about the other child actors in the film, Dylan's school friend and his rival in the competitions i felt at times played too much to their stereotypes. I'm not sure if it was the actors or the writing but sometimes they felt, well, like a character and not a real person. There is also a subplot with another girl that was oddly introduced, it felt very out of place and took me out of it for a bit. But in the end this is a fun, heartfelt story about a boy and his father that takes place during a plane throwing competition, and if you can avoid focusing too much on some of the unrealistic plane throws you can enjoy this movie. - 7
guyattpark
Saw this yesterday in Dubai with my two kids who are also Aussies, yet not born there. We all liked it enough to score an 8. Enjoyed all the imaginative aspects. Especially liked the positive, assertive approach to bullying which has been a problematic kids theme forever. Sam Worthington's character lacked substance. The depiction of a country school was delightful and the scenery / sounds of Australia were vivid after too many years as an ex-pat. The last kids film from Oz like this was Napoleon (1995) also featuring animals and gorgeous imagery. Very happy to see how important the 'people' relationships were highlighted and a testament to Aussie values. The Grand Dad character was a treat.