DVD Reviews

Catch That Kid

When an old mountain climbing injury paralyzes well-loved go-kart track owner Mr. P (Sam Robards) his daughter Maddy (Kristen Stewart) will do anything to help him get better.  Her family can’t afford the $250,000 procedure that could repair the damage, but Maddy plans to “borrow” the money from the bank where her mother (Jennifer Beals) is overseeing installation of a new security system.   Maddy enlists the talents of her best friends Austin (Corbin Bleu) and Gus (Max Theiriot) and soon the heist is on.

“Catch That Kid” is a fun film meant for younger viewers and needs to be considered as such.  There are some plot holes, not the least of which is the unrealistic nature of the security system the friends have to crack.  If you suspend your disbelief however, the film has solid characters, good performances, and a go-kart chase through downtown streets.  Its only real problem is that it has an inconsistent tone.  Most of the time it feels like it wants to be a stylized heist film, but the style never really takes hold.  The family drama inherent in Maddy’s motivations also makes a strange pairing with the cartoonish villains she’s up against.

When the movie came out some reviewers took issue with the “lesson” about ends justifying the means and the portrayal of young teens (and a toddler) in highly dangerous situations.  Parents and guardians should know that yes, Maddy’s decision to rob a bank to save her father is never portrayed as a bad idea.  Also Maddy cruelly tricks her two best friends, using the fact that they each have a crush on her to manipulate them.  That said, I watched and re-watched Disney’s animated version of “Robin Hood” when I was young and have yet to take to a life of thievery. 

 A cool feature is the disc is double-sided, offering both a widescreen and a full screen version.  In bonus features there’s the usual scene selection option and some deleted scenes.  An entertaining animated short called “Gone Nutty” features Scrat from “Ice Age” and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003. The only glaring absences are any sort of behind the scenes footage (especially considering there were charismatic young actors who presumably had to go through climbing and go-kart training) and the bloopers mentioned on the commentary track.

Speaking of, the commentary track provided by the three young actors is the best feature on the disc.  I’ll admit when it started I was skeptical, but I soon realized it’s perfect in that it will appeal to the same audience the film appeals to.  The three are refreshingly open and at ease, giving the feeling you’re just hanging out watching the movie with them.  They go so far as to perform part of a rap they came up with while killing time on set.  Viewers who enjoyed feeling part of a heist plan with Maddy, Austin and Gus will enjoy feeling part of the movie making experience with Kristen, Corbin and Max.

Review By Marilyn Campbell