Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box

I am surprised at the other reviewers; I think the one point that most reviewers are missing is that it's a children's movie based on a children's book. My ten year old son loved it. It's hard to find clean action-adventure movies that appeal to boys and this one worked well. Sword fights, near death moments, supernatural content, chase scenes all without excessive gore, cleavage, or foul language. Several comments have been made about the poor acting. I didn't see that. Come on folks, Sam Niell is the main bad guy. This movie is available on Netflix. There is a sequel in the making and we'll watch that when it comes out.

source: Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box

Oh dear! I can imagine the pitch now, a fantastical adventure with a stellar cast, Indiana Jones meets Hugo.. Unfortunately from the very beginning it begins to fall apart. Everything is explained all too quickly and where there may have been a hope for mystery and a great story, we are told everything in the first few minutes, much like in The Golden Compass, thus destroying all hope of the viewer gradually unfolding the truth and being drawn into the characters and events. The dialogue really does not help and everything is far too obvious, there are no secrets in this film, our main hero confides everything he knows to a scullery girl he has never even met before, and she believes it all without question. The screenplay does not really make sense either and just adds to the lack of suspense, worse still is the complete lack of spatial continuity, you continually feel that the locations chosen do not flow, and the film jars from one place to the next. I could go on and pick fault in almost all departments, and what comes out from it is a film made by a director without a singular vision. All in all a spectacular waste of talent and money.

The film is a bit uneven in spots but quite entertaining. Perhaps they borrowed from 'Indiana Jones' and 'Warehouse 13' but as the saying says, 'If you're going to steal, steal from the best.' I thought it was not only a good film, it was almost two good films. The first section is like a separate story. Then the island hotel scenes are like a different world. Great atmosphere. I would like to see this show become a regular feature coming out with a new adventure every year or so. Looks like what they are planning. Perhaps some of the unevenness is owing to setting up future stories. Reminds me of the 'The Librarian' franchise which I quite enjoyed. In my opinion, this film is solid entertainment.

Worst film seen in years... in decades. They took me wrong when seeing the cast, full of people that I respected. Like Sam Neill, Charlie Seen, even Lena Headey.... What the hell are they doing in such a s--t like this ?? Hunger ?? It is so ridiculous that you exit ashamed. And, furthermore... they announce a sequel !!! Who's got guts to repeat ?. Please, don't waste your time. Please, don't waste your money. If they say that it is a children film, they must want to keep them in the ignorance forever

Visually, this movie was brilliant. Pretty good special effects, beautiful costumes, opulent sets - the works. I also love the steampunk style of the film, and there were some decent actors. But the story, while imaginative and potentially interesting, was erratic and at times unconvincing - but totally predictable. There wasn't a single twist you couldn't see coming from miles away. The acting, while occasionally decent, was generally mediocre at best. Most of all, the character development was TERRIBLE. The villain, heroes, everyone is one dimensional - almost a punch line. Also, for God's sake, it's 2014 - but you would think that in addition to the movie being about a fantastic Victorian world, the movie's writers and director are themselves actually Victorian. There are three women in the movie: one is the mother of the protagonist, one is his love interest, and the other is the sexy lover or wife of the main villain. While they are clever and help the movie along (with their emotions.. god help us, the gypsy card scene?! wtf?) , the women of this film have no roles other than as supporting characters for the males of the movies: the movie should have been called "AdventurER: Mystery of the Antique-Loving Old Boys Club - But Your Girlfriend Can Come, Too". I am so sick to death of this trite, sexist, racist Hollywood-style crap. I'm starting to turn into JD Salinger and dread movies. Also, speaking of racism, while I'm pleased they made an effort at diversity, no matter how half-a**ed, it 's bizarre that there is only one black guy in the whole movie, which has a large cast. In a 99% white, patriarchal, hetero Victorian world he reads obviously as a token, not a necessary character to the plot. They could very have thrown in a few more POC, even as extras. One of the villain's henchman, a fellow porter, a villager, someone at the reformatory, a guest at the hotel, some extras on the street, audience members.. the list is endless.

What do you get if you combine a fair amount of funds (too much, that's for sure), bad script, even worse acting and terrible direction? This movie. You watch it and all your sins shall be forgiven, since you've suffered more than enough! Know this, you poor man: this movie is a curse itself, and fate more horrifying than the destiny shall befall all its makers. Don't let your children watch it (unless, of course, they are younger than 3 years) for they shall be doomed too. But the idea could be well carried out well as a movie by someone else. Anybody else. Even (God forbid!) Indiana Jones. A word of advice: keep your sins and stay away from this "movie". Fires of hell will be a walk in the park compared to watching this. So it it written, so it shall be done.

To quote my 11 year old daughter after watching this film "it was was poo and it smelt horrible too" and my 15 year old son added "it was like a freshly served cow pat pancake" really I have nothing to add to the review of this film It was really that bad. Oh Keely, Martin, Sam what were you thinking. Really if you are thinking of watching this film do not bother, it is 90 minutes of your life you will not get back. It has been a long time since I have sat through a film as bad as this and I am only adding more as the review rules require 10 line of text as a minimum. I therefore apologise for the extended nature of this review, everything we had to say was delivered in the first 4 lines.

Review: I'm surprised that this movie wasn't bigger than it was because it's quite an epic movie with some fairly big names in the cast. I did find the leading character a bit annoying, but Michael Sheen was a joy to watch. The storyline wasn't bad either. Basically it's about young boy whose looking for his kidnapped brother whilst on a quest to find a magical box which can turn anything into gold. With the help of Michael Sheen, he ends up working in a hotel which is were all the clues lead, to find his brother and the box. It's not exactly Indianna Jones, but it's a mysterious tale which leads the audience down many different avenues after following the many clues. I think that the director wasted a lot of time on trivial matters in the middle of the movie, but the showdown at the end was half decent and it looked very glossy. Personally I thought that the movie was OK and I'm surprised that it made such a lose at the box office. Average! Round-Up: I think this movie would have been much better if Michael Sheen and Sam Neill had more scenes and if there was an actor with more screen charisma, playing the lead. The director left the storyline open for a sequel, but judging by the lose at the box office, I doubt that we will be seeing one anytime soon, which is a shame because the concept wasn't that bad. All the clues did seem to drop on the main characters lap with ease, but he did have the help of his new found friend, who he falls in love with, and the great Sheen who helped his partner in many sticky situations. In all, I honestly think that people would enjoy this film if they gave it a chance, but you do have to be in the right frame of mind to watch it. Budget: $25million Worldwide Gross: $14,000 (Terrible!) I recommend this movie to people who are into there mysterious, magical movies about a quest to find a magical box which can turn anything into gold. 5/10

I had this movie in mind to watch with my son for a while. My 9 year old son was hesitant to watch it but I had a hitch that he would enjoy it, and wow was I right. This is a great family movie to watch with the kiddos. It provides fantasy and action, in an Indiana Jones type of way. We enjoyed this movie and when it ended my son asked when was the second one coming out. I checked and after seeing this one did poorly in the box office I mentioned to him it was unlikely they would make all the trilogy as at first they intended. We are still having our fingers crossed, as for now we will be reading the books. I highly recommend this movie to watch as a family.