Film Review: The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D

By Patricia Lamkin

Ten-year-old social misfit Max (Cayden Boyd) has finally made some friends. Unfortunately, they live in his dreams.

After a fantasy filled school report highlighting his summer adventures with superheroes Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner), a half-shark karate kid, and Lavagirl (Taylor Dooley), a heart melting lava goddess, Max's teacher Mr. Electricidad (George Lopez) insists the superheroes aren't real. Class bully Linus (Jacob Davich) steals Max's dream journal and now Max's Willy Wonka-like world of childhood wonders, Planet Drool, is threatened. Sharkboy and Lavagirl enlist Max to save the day.

To create the fantastic story and characters of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D, director Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2 and Spy Kids 3D) went to the source: the dreams of his son Racer Max. As a result of this father-son collaboration, the film has a child-like innocence which kids will love.

However, compared to other family features, such as the Harry Potter series, Freaky Friday, or the animated triumph The Incredibles, which blend realistically written characters and fantasy situations quite seamlessly, Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D lacks this key combination which equals universal family appeal. When parents are paying $10 and up per ticket you need to throw them a bone, in the form of humor and depth. Luckily, kid audiences likely won't notice these "adult" complaints.

The fantasy dress of the Ice Princess (Sasha Pieterse), is gorgeous and believable. But for some reason the lead superhero costumes appear to be just that: rubbery, skin-deep representations. Not very logical considering Sharkboy and Lavagirl have no alter egos.

Where the lead costumes fail, the technical execution of Racer's dreams is wondrously realized, from the clever "plug hounds" to the cookie raft on a river of milk. Though the 3D has a muted gray tone, it still serves up fun eye-popping effects. The young cast does well with the green screen acting, which tries the abilities of academy award level talents the likes of Gweneth Paltrow. Supporting actors Davich and Pieterse give the strongest, most natural performances.

With exciting visuals and a far-out story which comes from the imagination of a child, Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D is something kids should see. If you grown-ups are feeling left out, just remember the film's message: dreams can come true. This part is for you too. B+