Little Savages
By Jennifer Green,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Summer adventure-friendship tale has bullying, mild language
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Little Savages
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What's the Story?
LITTLE SAVAGES begins when allergy-riddled, science-obsessed misfit Albie (Noah Lomax) is dropped off with his snarky teen sister Tiffany (Katherine McNamara) at their Aunt Jackie's (Leigh-Allyn Baker) house for the summer. Albie anticipates staying inside alone most of the summer, but when the local bully picks on him and another kid, wannabe magician Eddie (Aedin Mincks), the two forge a friendship. Eddie introduces Albie to the Little Savages, friends who spend their summer days racing bikes, practicing magic, and hanging out in their ragtag clubhouse. Their summer suddenly gets more interesting when it's announced that a recently-deceased local philanthropist has hidden a secret treasure in town. Albie is the first to find the hidden clues, and the hunt will ultimately pit his clever and supportive group against the witless, cheating town bullies. A subplot involves Tiffany dating the local bully Billy (Adam Hicks) but dumping him for the Little Savages' big brother, do-gooder Todd (Kenton Duty).
Is It Any Good?
In its childhood summer adventure tale, innocent teen dating subplot, and trio of toothless town bullies, this movie feels like the product of an earlier time. And therein lies its charm as well as its potential timelessness. Its makers tried sprinkling in a few more contemporary elements, like a teen constantly on her cell phone and discussions of hashtags, trending on social media, and updating one's "relationship status." But these will ultimately expire sooner, and it's the kids, more than the teens, who are the heart of the movie anyway.
Little Savages also steers clear of triteness with an unexpectedly offbeat sense of humor and some quirky secondary characters in goofy Aunt Jackie and clueless sidekick Harley (Connor del Rio). The final package is a small but endearing film for older kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way kids spend their summer in Little Savages. Does this look like how you spend your summer? Did your parents spend their summers this way?
Aunt Jackie wants to be a stand-up comedian but she doesn't even make it into the local talent show. Did you think she was funny? What other characters made you laugh in this movie?
Did Little Savages remind you of any other movies about kid gangs having adventures that you've seen? Which ones?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: February 2, 2016
- Cast: Noah Lomax , Aedin Mincks , Leigh-Allyn Baker , Katherine McNamara
- Director: Paul Tomborello
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Bearfruit Films
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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