The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box

I enjoyed this film. Think it would be a perfect adventure film for a family with young children to watch together.

It seems that many reviewers do not appreciate films like this one, designed for young adult audiences, and lacking the graphic violence and gratuitous sex, and blockbuster budgets. The production quality of this film is great for its intended audience. Additionally, critically dissecting an adventure film misses the point that this is not about academy award-nominations and revolutionary screen plays. If a movie is a quality film, has resoabnably good acting, set designs, special effects and a decent soundtrack, why judge it like a 500 million dollar masterpiece? It is an afternoon matinee-type film. In this genre, The Adventurer (the title is probably the lamest thing about this film) succeeds well. The story is not totally original, but then how many films are these days. At least it is not just another droll teen vampire spa opera or zombie gore film. It works well as an adventure film, and I enjoyed it. The Adventurer features good performances by most actors. As pointed out by some critics, Aneurin Barnard has a hard time carrying the bulk of the scenes; but come on, he's not that bad either. He is not Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), but he is never-the-less competent. Generally speaking the all star cast does a good job although Lena Headey's character seemed stiff and rather two-dimensional to me. This is not her fault. Her role in this film is merely as a supporting actor and it shows. No spoilers here, but unless Sam Neill has a reprise role in a sequel (the film was based on a series of books) the next movie will have to find some new top-notch talent to keep it alive. Overall this is a fine film to rent for weekend entertainment — which is what it was meant to be. It is certainly worth a rent. The low ratings the critics give is is undeserved considering this was not trying to be anything but what it succeeds as — a 'Fun Young Adult adventure' film that is both tame enough and adult enough even for moms! You'll enjoy it.