paper planes
2015 review number 43:
Paper Planes: (Family): 70 out of 100: This Australian feel-good film promotes family and friend values. You can see the ending from a mile way but it's a fun journey nevertheless. It has been successful at the Australian box office since its release in January and it's easy to see why with its appealing characters and uplifting storyline.
Ed Oxenbould stars as 12 year old Dylan who has dreams of competing in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan. He lives with his father Jack (Sam Worthington) in a country town in New South Wales. Jack is still getting over the recent death of his wife and he has little motivation to achieve his goals. His son on the other hand is striving to look ahead to the future and this includes succeeding in the qualifying paper plane competition in Sydney. There, he forms a friendship with a Japanese girl named Kimi (Ena Imai) and incurs the wrath of a fellow competitor in Jason (Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke). David Wenham rounds off the main cast as the professional golfer father (Patrick) of Jason.
Oxenbould is the star of the show and displays a lot of natural talent. He was last seen in "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" and demonstrates that his star is on the rise. Worthington adds further acting credibility as his distraught father and succeeds in displaying a range of emotions. An Australian film wouldn't be distinctly Australian without some quirky characters and these are portrayed by Deborah Mailman as the Sydney competition presenter, Terry Norris as Dylan's grandfather and Peter Rowsthorn as Dylan's teacher.
Although the story is fairly predictable, it is heartwarming and inspirational. Some of the flashbacks involving Dylan's mother are only intended to generate sympathy. There are scenes that border on the melodramatic but their purpose is to make you root for the underdog. You can identify with how someone feels when they have lost a loved one.
The scenes in Sydney and Tokyo show both cities in their best light. If you want to play 'spot the attraction', you will be thrilled to see that the outdoor location shoots maximise their value. Another bonus is the magnificent music score which is uplifting and befitting of a movie that is motivational and inspirational.
"Paper Planes" is a delightful film that everyone in your family can see. Although it's easy to pick the outcome, you will still enjoy most aspects of this production. You wouldn't have a heart if none of the themes depicted in the movie resonate with you.
Starring Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould, Deborah Mailman and David Wenham
(96 minutes)
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h00GHmlFjCs (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Saturday 21st March, 2015)
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