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Adventures of Power
- Review Date: October 6, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Underdog comedy is no Napoleon Dynamite.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this tedious Napoleon Dynamite wannabe has some comedic violence (including beatings and martial arts), some kissing and suggestive talk, and a bit of strong language (including words like "p---y" and "ass"). There are also some fairly broad ethnic caricatures that border on stereotypes. The movie is ostensibly about following your dreams, but the positive message doesn't come through very well thanks to the main character's clueless self-absorption.
What's the story?
In the mining town of Lode, New Mexico, Power (writer/director Ari Gold) is an air-drumming misfit. His father (Michael McKean) is a union organizer miner facing a strike, which Power can't take part in once he's fired. But Power follows his dreams of glory to Newark, joining an air-drumming group competing for a cash prize against real drummer Dallas H. (Adrian Grenier) -- who happens to be the soft-country mega-star son of the CEO of the mining company that Power's father is facing down.
Is it any good?
A bargain-basement rip-off of Napoleon Dynamite, ADVENTURES OF POWER spends a lot of time expecting viewers to lavish Gold's comedic creation with affection. The problem is that the film, like Power, is so cluelessly self-absorbed that it's hard to have any belief in, or sympathy for, the main character's journey and quest. Gold seems so enamored of his own work as writer, director, and star that he seems to have assumed that audiences will find that affection contagious -- the problem is, it's such a thinly crafted journey that it's hard to see any point.
There's a modicum of sweetness and condescension in Power's awkward romance with a deaf girl (Shoshana Stern) who has a very strict mother, but again, it's just an excuse to show how great the Power character's "Don't Stop Believin'" philosophy is. Shallow, silly, and self-righteously fascinated with itself, Adventures of Power is one of the least funny "comedies" in years.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's one-note depiction of various
ethnic groups, from wacky Chinese restaurant owners to afro-sporting
African-Americans. Are these portrayals stereotypical?What do you think about the movie's "follow your dreams" theme -- is the film mocking or endorsing Power's outsider dream?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
April 2, 2010
AGE
Adventures Of Power
Rated PG-13 For Some Language Including Sexual References
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AGE
I thought this movie was very......stupid. I don't like to use that word very often, but I just can't describe it in any other way. Don't let your children watch this.
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Kid, 5 years old
October 8, 2009
AGE
Bamber and the six people
its funny
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| Studio: | Variance Films |
| Director: | Ari Gold |
| Cast: | Adrian Grenier, Ari Gold, Michael McKean |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 89 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 9, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | January 25, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some language including sexual references. |
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