Max Keeble's Big Move

Review by By Clint Morris

The older I got, the more aware I was that the scriptwriters at Disney weren't ageing along with me. As fun as escaping Witch Mountain was, and joining Herbie on his Monte-Carlo could be via repeated viewings, a kid ultimately longs for a little more of something he can relate to if he's going to be forced to wander around the G rated aisles looking for a film.

Inevitably, one grew tired of singsong animation, and just as my musical and leisure tastes were changing so was my film interests. What I discovered was the John Hughes movie. Now this guy knew youngsters - teenagers to be exact. He knew how awful high school could be (The Breakfast Club); he appreciated how difficult it was to fit in some times (Pretty in Pink), he even knew unrequited teen love (Sixteen Candles). Now this is the kind I had been looking for.

Funny thing happened though; John Hughes turned his back on teen-films and went all 'kiddy' on us (part blame to Macauley Culkin), while Disney took some delayed market research into what the young kids of today really want to see.

Alex D. Lintz, the young tyke who saved his family home from thieves in "Home Alone 3", headlines Disney's "Max Keeble's Big Move", a conventional but fun 90 minutes of entertainment akin to one of those classic John Hughes movies - complete with boppy music, cool characters, domineering teachers and unrequited lust. Yep, The Mouse might just be getting the point.

Max Keeble is the school punching bag. He's constantly being beaten by up the school bully and has no chance in hell of ever scoring with the prettiest girl in town. At the same time, he can't even walk home peacefully without being taunted by a vengeful ice-cream man.

Upon discovering his family is moving to Chicago, Max develops a "what the heck" attitude and decides to cause havoc for his last couple of days at school. He sets up a local nerd for the ultimate prank, gets revenge on the school bully, impresses the object of his affection and plays a hoax on the unbearable school principal (played with suitable smarminess by Larry Miller). But what if it ends up that Max doesn't have to move after all?

Uh-Oh.

Whilst hardly ground-breaking material, and more predictable than your grandma's verdict on a Bruce Willis movie, "Max Keeble's Big Move" will get the thumbs up from it's target market, the slightly more picky of kids.

Like the recent Spy Kids, it's got tiny-size laughs, cool characters, cool music and gadgets and pranks. Alex D. Lintz is suitably cheeky as young Max, dreaming up pranks not unlike that of a young Ferris Bueller in the 1986 hit. Lintz is looking a little older than he did in "Home Alone 3", so one wonders if he should start churning out these kiddie flicks quickly before he grows up too quick. And if he is to become a permanent fixture on the Disney one-sheeter, let it be for enjoyable romps like this.

3 out of 5

Max Keeble's Big Move
Australian release: Commences January 10th across Australia
Cast: Alex D.Lintz, Larry Miller, Lil Romeo, Zena Grey, Josh Peck, Amber Valletta, Jamie Kennedy, Nora Dunn, Robert Carradine.
Director: Tim Hill.
Website: Click here

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