The Gold Retrievers
By Renee Schonfeld,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Kids might enjoy the silly humor, but it's pretty charmless.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
Hard times are coming to Josh's home town. UltraMart (a Walmart-like enterprise) threatens his dad's business; money is tight; their home must be sold and the family will be forced to move in with his grandmother where no dogs are allowed. That means Josh (Noah Centineo) will have to give away his precious Bosco, a bright Labrador retriever. The boy vows to search the nearby hills for a legendary treasure buried by Conquistadores centuries earlier and thereby save the day for his family. In the woods, Josh comes upon Ana (Courtney Biggs), a girl his age who is new to the community. Ana is running away, hoping to make her way back to her old home. As Josh and Ana form a bond, she decides to join the treasure hunt. A series of adventures and misadventures follow as the well-meaning kids are stalked and chased by two loud, bungling crooks who also seek the fortune.
Is It Any Good?
It's a fair bet that lots of kids will like this movie. It's meant to appeal to youngsters who like to laugh at silly bad guys falling down, stepping into traps, calling each other names, and behaving moronically. (Steve Guttenberg and Curtis Armstrong couldn't get any broader or more ridiculous.) And the prospect of children finding a treasure and saving the family is always fun.
Despite that, it's hard to recommend this amateurish effort. The film has one-dimensional characters, a sketchy plot, and is missing three basic elements that make a family movie successful -- logic, wit, and charm.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how change affects kids and families. Have you experienced big changes in your life? What do you think helps make transitions less stressful? Do you think the characters here react realistically to change?
Who is the audience for this movie? What would have made it a better movie?
Josh was faced with some very mean bullies. What do you do if you are faced with kids like that? Who do you turn to for help?
Josh and Ana were both looked upon as outsiders at the beginning of this story. Do you think their friendship changed that for them? What are some of the qualities that make a good friend?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: July 6, 2010
- Cast: Courtney Biggs , Curtis Armstrong , Noah Centineo
- Director: James D.R. Hickox
- Studio: Alpine Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship
- Run time: 88 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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