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I Declare War

  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
I Declare War (2012)
Armed with nothing more than twigs, their imaginations and a simple set of rules, a group of 12-year-olds engaged in a lively game of Capture the Flag in the neighborhood woods start dangerously blurring the lines between make-believe and reality.
Play trailer1:49
8 Videos
16 Photos
ActionComedyDrama

Summer war games between neighborhood kids turn deadly serious when jealousy and betrayal enter the mix.Summer war games between neighborhood kids turn deadly serious when jealousy and betrayal enter the mix.Summer war games between neighborhood kids turn deadly serious when jealousy and betrayal enter the mix.

  • Directors
    • Jason Lapeyre
    • Robert Wilson
  • Writer
    • Jason Lapeyre
  • Stars
    • Siam Yu
    • Kolton Stewart
    • Gage Munroe
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Jason Lapeyre
      • Robert Wilson
    • Writer
      • Jason Lapeyre
    • Stars
      • Siam Yu
      • Kolton Stewart
      • Gage Munroe
    • 23User reviews
    • 65Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos8

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 1:49
    Theatrical Version
    I Declare War: Opening Sequence
    Clip 4:25
    I Declare War: Opening Sequence
    I Declare War: Opening Sequence
    Clip 4:25
    I Declare War: Opening Sequence
    I Declare War: The First Real War
    Clip 2:02
    I Declare War: The First Real War
    I Declare War: Joker's Fate
    Clip 1:58
    I Declare War: Joker's Fate
    I Declare War: Artillery
    Clip 2:00
    I Declare War: Artillery
    I Declare War: This Is War Man
    Clip 1:36
    I Declare War: This Is War Man

    Photos15

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    + 12
    View Poster

    Top cast16

    Edit
    Siam Yu
    Siam Yu
    • Paul Kwon
    Kolton Stewart
    Kolton Stewart
    • Caleb
    Gage Munroe
    Gage Munroe
    • P.K. Sullivan
    Michael Friend
    Michael Friend
    • Jamie Skinner
    Aidan Gouveia
    Aidan Gouveia
    • Quinn Wilson
    Mackenzie Munro
    Mackenzie Munro
    • Jessica Dobrzanski
    Alex Cardillo
    Alex Cardillo
    • Roy Frost
    Dyson Fyke
    • Trevor Sikorski
    Spencer Howes
    • Albert Washington aka Joker
    Andy Reid
    Andy Reid
    • Wesley Bishop
    Richard Nguyen
    • Kevin
    Eric Hanson
    • Kenney
    Alex Wall
    • Scott
    Houston
    • Shadow
    El Nitro 56
    • Angelis
    Patrick Mölleken
    Patrick Mölleken
    • Skinner
    • (German version)
    • (voice)
    • Directors
      • Jason Lapeyre
      • Robert Wilson
    • Writer
      • Jason Lapeyre
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews23

    6.02.9K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8RichardvonLust

    War as the true test of friendship

    This film is surprisingly good. Very low budget with few sets or special effects and literally no adult actors, I Declare War nonetheless scores extremely high on the thought provoking barometer. It forces us to examine the real nature of friendship and perhaps to realize that true friendship is sadly extremely rare.

    A group of about a dozen boys play out a war game in the local woods. There are strict rules of engagement and death is established through a direct hit with small balloon filled with red dye. No one is meant to get hurt but, as with all wars, rules are broken and the passion of the moment has its own momentum.

    But this is not just a plot about the corrupting effects of aggression and power over victims. A whole series of relationships exist amongst these boys. The leader of one side has a 'best friend' whom he protects above the safety of others whilst the opposing commander, a dreamy eyed beautiful youth, is befriended by a besotted girl who will stop at nothing to impress him. There are ex-friends who have become enemies, jilted friends who wish to regain their standing and just normal mates who hang out with each other under the guise of friendship.

    Each of these relationships is put to the real test and each is exposed for what it really is. In the end there is only one true friendship amongst them all and the stark reality of our own lives is chillingly revealed. This is not a film about war but actually about love. It is well worth seeing for all age groups.
    7in1984

    Surprising, Unexpected Warfare

    7.1 of 10. Far more entertaining than the average war film, and far more insightful. It's tempting, and would be too easy, to compare it to Lord of the Flies given the ages fo the combatants. It is a more realistic and more likely version of Lord of the Flies, something that could easily happen in bigger town or distant suburb, maybe South Park in the 6th or 7th grade or Kids (1995) 3 years earlier and a 100 miles north of New York City. Part of the enjoyment is that it does set itself apart from most of the common teen/child story lines.

    Outside of some annoyances involving actions and characters that seem to be stretching reality or purely for sex appeal to naive tweens (the power bra wearing 13ish girl), it immerses and continues to keep you guessing as to the outcome. It's not a film to watch for the action of war as much as the mystery and intrigue, as if a spy game more than a war game.
    6SnoopyStyle

    interesting idea

    It's summer time. Neighborhood kids play war in the woods. The guns look real and they seem to fire real bullets in what looks like real warfare. It's imaginary and it's a game. The rivalry heats up and the game turns into something more dangerous.

    This is a Canadian indie. It's not really a kids' movie. It's closer to Lord of the Flies with one big difference. The premise of the movie is showing realistic gun fights with their imaginary game. It's an interesting idea, but it does need some work. The movie needs to show the difference between imaginary and reality. There are rules to this game. It needs to explain them. With more clarity, the story behind the concept could be smoothed out.
    8kosmasp

    Playing war

    Doing a movie with kids is pretty difficult. Only thing that is supposed to be as difficult is handling pets/animals. But this really holds the premise and the promise it is giving the viewer. The actors are young, but they are all really good. Thankfully the script is helping a lot, by not pulling punches and having those kids do things that you wouldn't expect (or maybe you would).

    One of the twists is the "fantasy" bit, that you will grow accustomed to pretty quickly. It helps elevate the movie to another level too. Are kids different and what makes them act that way? Thankfully the movie is not blaming something in particular. If your fantasy and your character trades allow it, you will go a certain direction. Really nice movie with a very good story
    9micha-hilliard

    Great film about childhood and friendship

    Caught a screening of "I Declare War" at CIFF. What a tremendous film! It really captured what it felt like to have a best friend during childhood (the sense of loyalty and exclusiveness). Those were the most intense relationships of my life, especially when they came to an end. I thought the casting was just right and the performances outstanding (some of the best child acting I've seen, the characters of PK and Skinner were particularly memorable). "I Declare War" also struck a great balance between lighthearted and more serious content. I was glad to see that the narrative did not descend into savagery (in the manner of "Lord of the Flies"). The humor added much. I absolutely loved the imaginary dialogue scenes between Jess and Quinn. All in all, the script was very tight and well thought out. Keep a look out for its theatrical release!

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Caleb does not speak until the final seconds of the movie.
    • Goofs
      When Quinn clashes with Skinner, several crew members are visible behind Quinn's back.
    • Quotes

      P.K. Sullivan: Once you're dead, you go home. You can't be interrogated. It's a rule.

      Kenney: Fuck the rules. It's too hot for rules.

    • Connections
      Featured in Interviews mit den Synchronsprechern von 'I Declare War' (2014)

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    FAQ18

    • How long is I Declare War?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 6, 2014 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tuyên Chiến
    • Production company
      • Samaritan Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,928
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,634
      • Sep 1, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,928
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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