# Star Kid (1997)

### reviewed by
Nathaniel R. Atcheson

    Star Kid (1998)

    Director: Manny Coto
    Cast: Joseph Mazzello, Richard Gilliland, Ashlee Levitch, Crinne Bohrer,
    Joey Simmrin
    Rated PG: cartoon violence

by Nathaniel R. Atcheson (nate@pyramid.net)

As sick as it may sound, my New Year's resolution was to see every film that opens in 1998. I didn't really think about some of the films I might find myself sitting through, or what the experience would do to me. So, imagine my state of mind as I sat alone in a theater, waiting for Star Kid to begin. As mothers and fathers with their young children began coming in, I couldn't recall a moment in time when I had felt more out of place. Lucky for me the theater was very dark.

But that's irrelevant, I guess. I just wanted to share my theater experience. A more important note about me is that I tend to deplore any and all films intended for children. I find them overly silly, banal, and usually thoughtless about their own subject matter. Star Kid, although clearly not intended for adults, is quite a surprise. Not only did I find it somewhat entertaining, but it seems an appropriate kind of film for today's younger generation (the ones that haven't been exposed to a lot of violence and gore already). The themes are all in place, and the simple fact is that it's a pleasant little film.

Joseph Mazzello stars as Spencer, an intelligent young boy who has no confidence in himself. He frequently gets harassed by the local bully, and he can't speak a coherent sentence to a girl that he really likes. He also has to deal with his father, who spends more time at work than he does anywhere else, and his mean older sister who threatens him and calls him names. One night while sitting in his bedroom, he sees a flash of light and an object crashing into the local car dump. He goes to investigate and finds Cy, a cybernetic suit that requires a bionic host to operate. Naturally, he finds this very cool, and jumps right in.

At first he just uses the suit to get back at the bully and to prove to people that he is powerful. In the process of doing so he accidentally destroys two houses because the suit is difficult to control. Later, though, he uncovers an alien plot--he must stop them from getting a hold of Cy, or Cy's makers and their planet will be destroyed, as will Earth in the long run.

I think what made the film for me is the performance of Joseph Mazzello. I can't think of a child performance that is more convincing than this one. Especially in one scene where Cy shows him memories of his mother, Mazzello proves that he has a rare talent for such a young kid.

I also enjoyed the film because it's energetic and creative, which is just what kids these days need to get the blood flowing. There are, however, numerous Terminator 2 rip-offs (and some scenes stolen directly from that film), but they're so blatant that I imagine the writers intended for fans to notice these things. The sets and costumes are all well done (except for a really bad-looking B-movie alien), and the film feels well-made overall.

It probably won't change your life, but Star Kid has enough in it to keep your attention as your kids revel in the special effects and the visual presentation. This is certainly a refreshing entry into the dubious "kid" genre, and maybe I won't be so wary of a film like this in the future.

    >From 0-10:  7
    Grade:  B

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             Nathaniel R. Atcheson

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