Starring: Ed Oxenbould, Sam Worthington, David Wenham, Ena Imai,
Paper Planes
Director: Robert Connolly
Rating: 3/5
Paper Planes has been a huge hit in Australia already this year and it is coming to UK cinema screens this weekend. Directed by Robert Connolly, the movie is loosely based on an episode of Australian Story called Fly With Me.
Eleven-year-old Dylan (Oxenbould) is getting a hard time from a school bully, whilst his father (Worthington) is at home grieving over the death of Dylan's mother. When a regional paper plane tournament is announced at Dylan's primary school, he soon discovers his natural talent for creating the ultimate paper plane.
During a whirlwind adventure that takes him all the way to Japan for the world championships, Dylan meets the junior Japanese champion, Kimi, and they develop a close bond challenging each other to build the most beautiful paper plane ever made. Inspired by his carefree ex fighter-pilot grandfather and a kite hawk he feeds on his way to school, Dylan learns that if at first you don't succeed, fly, fly again!
Paper Planes has already become the highest grossing kid's film in Australia and is a charming and poignant tale that is well worth a watch this half-term.
Paper Planes is a coming of age movie about chasing and achieving dreams - it really is a film with a huge heart that you cannot help but get swept along with.
This is quite a career shift for director Connolly, who has brought us thrillers Balibo and The Bank, has he tackles the family drama for the first time. I have to say, I think he should stick with this genre as he has delivered a movie that will capture your heart.
Yes, Paper Planes is a movie about achieving dreams, but it is also a film that explores the power of grief and this is a very powerful and moving part of the movie.
Sam Worthington is terrific as the widower who is struggling to get over the death of his wife and raise his young son alone. The relationship between Dylan and his father is the film's most interesting but I do think that it is lacking a bit of depth.
I know that this is an uplifting and family friendly film, but I would like to have seen it delve into the power and despair of grief a little more than it does - I think that this would have helped this movie pack a huge emotional punch.
Paper Planes is one of those movies that is inspiring, uplifting, and a whole lot of fun and you cannot help but get swept along with it and you find yourself willing Dylan to succeed.
Paper Planes is a great family movie that is about having big dreams and not being afraid of trying to achieve them. While I do think it lacks depth when dealing with some of the bigger issues, there is a lot of enjoy here.
Paper Planes is out now.