The Last Boy

I wish it had a bigger budget, but not bad at all. The story was interesting to watch and the acting was good.

This film raises a lot of interesting questions about the nature of humanity, conscience, love, etc. which, honestly, I'd never thought to ask before, and don't care enough to answer now that they HAVE been asked. That's not to say I didn't like the movie. I did.

But here's the thing, the paradox of this film: It didn't bother me that a lot of the film is slow and and at times confusing, it's never boring because I was inexorably drawn to wanting to know what the destination was.

And the weird thing is, I can't figure out why. I could not tear my eyes away.

I don't know if I can recommend this film to others or not, because I have no idea if anyone else will share my particular sentiments especially when it comes to the ending. I don't know who will understand it and who won't, or who will even think it's worth trying to understand. There are, of course, some people who absolutely love it, and probably even some who understand it (or think they do), because... well maybe because of the words of Rumi give people something to hold onto. Which in itself is a very clever thing to do because reading more of his poetry after watching added more meaning to it where perhaps none existed before. But there are probably just as many people who hate it, because... well, it's different.

At any rate, though, I think it's at least worth a look. If you find it boring, slow, incomprehensible, whatever... just turn it off. No big deal. But, on the other hand, if you find yourself inexplicably compelled to keep watching, unwilling or unable to tear yourself away for a single frame... well, then, you're welcome.

I have to admit I am not usually a fan of dystopian movies. I don't enjoy their typically bleak and pessimistic undertones and often I find the characters quite unrelatable. That is not the case with 'The Last Boy'. I found it captivating. I found myself caring for the characters and what they were going through and I wanted to understand exactly what it was they were facing. There is an element of mystery here as the movie unravels exactly what is happening. I was on the edge of my seat many times. It doesn't answer all those questions completely, but I think that was intentional. It certainly had me thinking about this movie after it was over. I don't think it will be a long time till I watch it again. How refreshing and welcome to see a movie of this type that doesn't involve hormonally charged twenty-something year olds pretending to be seventeen year olds. Instead this movie is moving and poignant. The acting is great, the soundtrack is beautiful and enhances the story without assaulting your ear drums, and the effects are good but don't dominate the movie. At only 90 minutes in length, this movie never outstays its welcome. In fact, I would have been happy for it to last a bit longer, but that's okay. I find it odd that most reviews of this movie I have read suggest that the star is Luke Goss (who I have never heard of) who plays Jay when, in fact, it is young Flynn Allen as Sira who carries the film. The ending seems to suggest there could be a sequel to this. I don't know if I want that. This movie stands on its own and I would hate to see it be diminished by lesser follow ups. 'The Last Boy' is a great movie and I thoroughly recommend it.

Pretty good post apocalytptic yarn, not sure I saw into it as deeply as some but nice twist on on the genre and nice action as well. 8/10

After the hype created by Bird Box, I checked this out.

It's quite a departure for writer / director Perry Bhandal whose first movie was about a Hitman growing up in the slums of Romania. That movie was pretty well received and it would have been easy to Bhandal carry on down that route. Instead he's chosen to try something completely that couldn't be more different. The kind of choice that can either kill or accelerate a career.

Whilst it doesn't hit every mark he aims for it's a very good film and shows Bhandal's not your run of the mill filmaker interested in just churning out a single genre movies.

The movies drops us straight into the story. Somethings happened and we find out that most of the worlds population has disappeared and there's a lethal wind that's mopping up the rest of humanity. Like birdbox and the happening it ignores naure and the animals. The ecological message is loud and clear in this movie and Bhandal clearly thinks the world would be better off without humans (or a lot less of them).

It starts quickly with Sira played by Flynn Allen (who ably shoulders the lead role) sets off on his journey when his sick mother passes. His departure feels a little too quick but when you make the connection with where he is going you understand why.

He's joined by Lilly played my Matilda Freeman (who is brilliant) a little girl that got lost when her family was ambushed by the wind.

We also find that Sira has a scanner that can detect the wind so armed with this they set off to the place that grants wishes whilst trying to avoid this lethal wind.

They come across a bunch of characters, good, bad and misguided. Peter Guiness who plays the priest is particularly good.

Jennife Scott who plays a misguided scientists is new on the scene and is a pretty good actress and of course Luke Goss needs no introduction plays a sniper who has lost a loved one.

Each of the characters has a compelling reason to join Sira and Lilly on their journey to their ultimate destination and for that Bhandal should be congratulated for creating a compelling narrative.

There is an unexpected twist two thirds of the way in and the ending is almost like a religous experience.

The film is good. There is an environmental subtext to it. It is eerie, disturbing and mysterious. I can understand what Bhandal tried to do and he largely succeeded with a I would say a fantasy sci fi. It will be interesting to see what he does next.