jimcoye
Recently, my wife brought this great film home from the library. It is a mix of Indiana Jones meeting C.S. Lewis. The cinematography mostly shot in Thailand is superb. But the story and the actors who brought the script to life are what's worth watching here. If you are a parent or a grandparent, this film will help you teach character lessons with the kids you care about. However, if you want a DVD you can put in the player and just walk away while the kiddos watch, then this is the wrong film for you. But , and this is the biggest takeaway from The Lost Medallion ; if you want to install the importance of the greatest amongst us learning to have a servant heart... Well, then this is the absolute perfect movie gift to give this Christmas. Throw in some popcorn and enjoy it with them. My wife and I are buying a bunch of copies and giving it for that very reason this year. I hope Bill Muir gets to keep making films like this. Well done!
akcampbell
My daughter saw this at the theater with friends and recommended it for weekend family viewing on Netflix. She has decent taste in films, I think, preferring the intellectual over the typical inane kid stuff. Still, I was surprised at how much I loved this film.It's part action film and part allegory, with a number of surprising features all wrapped up in a story within a story.The visuals are stunning. At least a half dozen times, I found myself taken aback by the angles or sweeping motion the director chose. There's something satisfyingly symmetrical about the camera work. The locations are gorgeous and so is the cast, but none of it is so pretty that it feels unrealistic.Although it doesn't feel low-budget, the movie has a hint of indie film about it. It reminds us that acting and writing are hard work. Although you can see some of the seams occasionally, it is a pleasant reminder of the hard work that goes into making a dream like this a reality.And even if a few ideas in the film hearken back to other stories, none of it feels derivative.I read a few other reviews before posting this, and saw that one poster thought that it was a racist portrayal of colonialism. Having watched the film, I'd say that is a bias that poster must see in many facets of life - you're bound to find hatred and condescension anywhere you look, if you're determined to find it. I saw no hint of it in this film. As for being reminded that God loves you, no matter what - I couldn't imagine that message ever becoming too prevalent in kids' films.All in all, well worth the 97 minutes, and worth a second viewing, as well.
Paul Magne Haakonsen
Well, this movie is certainly somewhat of a wholesome entertainment for the entire family. Sort of abstractly think a mixture of "Indiana Jones" and "The Goonies" then you are in the vicinity of what "The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone" is like.This is indeed an adventure movie that the entire family can sit down and watch together. It is a classic tale of good vs. evil in a struggle for a legendary medallion that will grant wishes to its owner. Billy Stone (played by Billy Unger) and Allie (played by Sammi Hanratty) are accidentally transported back in time when Billy happens to make a wish upon the medallion in the heat of the moment, trying to save his father from some goons.There is a good amount of action in the movie, despite this not being your typical adventure movie for adults, and it is done with moderation, so that it is not too violent or graphical, allowing a younger audience to sit in on the movie as well.As for the people cast for the various roles and characters, well I must say that everyone was doing good jobs and pulling their weight of the load individually. I was especially surprised to see Mark Dacascos here, especially as I had no idea that he was in this movie. He did a good job at portraying the villainous Cobra.Actually, I will go as far as to say that "The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone" can be thoroughly enjoyed by all, regardless of age. I am 38 and I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. But of course, a younger audience will have a blast of a thrill ride with this adventurous movie.
cgray_ca
Our family really enjoyed this movie and would highly recommend it. It had adventure and excitement along with a great message about realizing God made you exactly as you are.This would be a great movie for any families with foster children as I think they can relate to the characters in the story. We all have our doubts and question our own weaknesses. This movie encourages kids to look within themselves for the courage to be who they are called to be.The characters were likable and we enjoyed the quest they took us on to find The Lost Medallion.Highly recommend!