Storm Boy Movie Review
Three abandoned baby pelicans change a young boy’s life.
Thank you to Good Deed Entertainment for the advanced media screener to facilitate our Storm Boy movie review.
Storm Boy centers around the story of a young Australian boy who rescues three pelicans and the evolution of their relationship. This heartfelt movie opens in theatres April 5, 2019.
Told primarily through flashbacks, Michael Kingley is a grandfather and businessman who spends time reflecting on his life and tells the story of a moment in time that changed his heart when he was a young boy.
While admittedly not a fan of movies that rely heavily upon flashbacks, Storm Boy’s use of flashbacks is eloquently done in a way that beautifully tells a story that emotionally draws the audience in and expertly brings life full circle as the story of the past joins up with the present. It is storytelling at its finest with a beautiful way of weaving the past and present in a way rarely seen in movies.
Michael Kingley is played by Geoffrey Rush, whom you might have seen play Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Dead Men Tell No Tales. His performance convincingly shares the heart of a life lived full of turmoil and moments that define you.
Finn Little plays the young Michael Kingley shown in the flashbacks. Finn brings a tremendous amount of emotion and depth to his character that is rarely seen in someone so young or at the beginning of an acting career. He brought us along on his journey with Mr. Percival the pelican, leading the audience to feel his intensely emotional journey. We expect to see great things in this young actor’s future and eagerly look forward to his next movies.
Jai Courtney plays Hideaway Tom, the father of young Michael. He chooses to live on an island away from people where he forms a close bond with his son. He has struggled with his life and chooses to isolate himself from others, preferring to live a quiet life on his own terms.
Trevor Jamieson plays Fingerbone Bill, a man who understands the pelicans and feels a deep connection to the land. He is the one who teaches the young boy whenever a pelican dies a storm rolls in.
When the young boy discovers three orphaned pelicans he rescues them and begins to care for them. He gives each of the pelicans a name and they form a bond, but it is Mr. Percival who has the strongest bond with the young boy and their journey begins.
Storm Boy takes you on an emotional journey with a surprisingly small cast and simple story line that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Parental Advisory (SPOILER ALERT)
Storm Boy received the Dove Seal of Approval, which means it is geared for families.
Hunters are shown shooting pelicans, which is heartbreaking to the young boy and you see the anguish on his face.
The movie begins with an elderly man driving in a car and arrives at a business where there is a mob of protestors. This was a little hard to follow as the preview shows the movie focusing on pelicans and beaches.
There is reference to the death of a woman and her daughter. A man in a boat nearly drowns at sea.
Storm Boy is rated PG for some thematic elements, mild peril, and brief language.
[quote]A beautiful and contemporary retelling of Colin Thiele’s classic Australian tale. ‘Storm Boy’ has grown up to be Michael Kingley, a successful retired businessman and grandfather. When Kingley starts to see images from his past that he can’t explain, he is forced to remember his long-forgotten childhood, growing up on an isolated coastline with his father. He recounts to his grand-daughter the story of how, as a boy, he rescued and raised an extraordinary orphaned pelican, Mr Percival. Their remarkable adventures and very special bond has a profound effect on all their lives. Based on the beloved book, Storm Boy is a timeless story of an unusual and unconditional friendship.[/quote]
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- Release Date: April 5, 2019
- Format: 2D
- Rating: PG
- Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
- Cast: Jai Courtney, Geoffrey Rush, Finn Little, Trevor Jamieson, Morgana Davies, Erik Thompson
- Director: Shawn Seet
- Producers: Matthew Street, Michael Boughen
- Screenplay: Justin Monjo
- Studio: Good Deed Entertainment
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Photos provided by Good Deed Entertainment. Used with permission.
