The Kid Detective

source: The Kid Detective

Review from "Reel Tunez.. The Radio Show All About the Movies": Adam Brody was excellent.. and so were other actors.. but what a LET DOWN!! I hate the fact I watched this movie because if I watch a movie, I WANT an ending. If I want to "write my own ending" to a story, I'm not going to watch another person's movie. Whoever made this.. wrote the story, or produced it.. I want to ask WHY? WHY did you NOT finish what you started? You could have added as little as ONE minute of context.. maybe two, and made a GREAT movie! Instead you did NOT end it or explain WHY. Though this isn't a spoiler, I would suggest to others to keep your expectations LOW. I'm mad at the people who made this movie because they just wimped out. I gave it a 4 out of 10. Had they added one single minute of context to the end of this story to explain "WHY", I would have gone with a 7.

After watching the trailor I was looking forward to this but oh boy. It was worse than I could possibly have imagined.. Terrible story , horrible sountrack and just all over the place

Adam Brody is great. At the heart of the story is a murder mystery, with some very funny moments along the way. Much better than I expected.

The Kid Detective starts out as a fairly run of the mill amateur sleuth movie, something not too distant from 'Murder She Wrote'. Luckily I didn't quit the film because it then turns very surprisingly dark. Well acted and directed with an ingenious plot , this movie will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

Canadian made movies seem to create a dream like parallel "more innocent" American universe which is what I felt watching this "Ghost World" like indie film of a boy detective now attempting to solve his first murder mystery as a young man but in the same suburbs he grew up in as a boy solving minor issues and mysteries asked by his school mates which is hilarious if not endearing on its own as it's illustrated quite humorously in flashbacks. It is this localization of his connection and familiarity with the community that cleverly aids him in solving a missing person and recent stabbing of an Asian boy reminiscent of a Columbo episode but in a Napoleon Dynamite kind of droll community. It's clunky, slow paced and pretty sloppy as it slogs and meanders along eventually leading to the ultimate pay off but in the most disturbing scene considering its innocent suburbia setting. This is a smartly made movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it for its mix of humor and unusual methods of sleuthing by knowing the community better than the cops who were also solving the same missing persons and murder cases. The ending is a big surprise but not as usual surprise endings go in detective movies because it's as slow paced and unassuming as if you're watching someone clear the table after a potluck dinner making it just weird and disturbing but in a thought provoking way. I certainly didn't see it coming.

This movie is actually really really great. The ideas, the distinctive characters, the acting and plot were all on spot. That's all I have to say. Now go watch and tell me what you think.

Pranks & petty crimes coupled with Sherlock level observational deductions results in our celebrity kid detective growing up coasting & declining to near homelessness, but still reliant on the community's good graces from his past exploits, e.g. Free ice cream for life. He finally solves the big one (not clear how) getting a confession from the stereotyped, least expected guilty one. Ending seemed forced/artificial.

Well written and acted. Pacing is good, as was casting. Glosses over some very dark themes in a light manner though. Good twist. Enjoyable movie and worth your time.

IN A NUTSHELL: This quirky dramedy blends dark humor, mystery, sadness, intrigue, and profound insight. It's a detective story layered with a coming-of-age story and a surprise gut punch. The movie is written and directed by Evan Morgan. I'm now a fan and can't wait to see more from him. Its unconventional look at murder and humor reminded me of the movie Knives Out. TIPS FOR PARENTS: Talk of a "concubine." Some profanity You see a man snort lines of cocaine. Talk of inappropriate behavior. You see the naked backside of a man. You see the front of a naked woman wearing a mask that covers her face. You see a bloody suicide. Murder Lots of alcohol. THEMES: Coming-of-age Earning respect How it feels when no one takes you seriously. The theme I thought was the most interesting and compelling was one voiced by Adam Brody's character. He said, "It's difficult to accept who you are in your head and who you really are." Balance Everyone has secrets. Is the truth worth knowing? THINGS I LIKED: Adam Brody gives a stellar performance in this role. I loved Sophie Nelisse in The Book Thief and haven't seen her in anything else since. She was perfect in her role in this movie too. The subtle humor is hilarious. Abe Applebaum's terrible receptionist was funny and should be fired. Even the side characters are interesting. Several surprising twists. There is a fascinating juxtaposition of sweet, upbeat music and a terrible crime unfolding right before your eyes. The ending gives you a chance to exhale and release your own feelings, along with the protagonist. It's powerful. There is a film noir feel to it but with a more modern spin. Effective editing. THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It starts off quickly, then starts to drag as you try to figure out how things are related. A lot of people mumble, making it difficult to know what's going on. The last 20 minutes of the movie are jaw-dropping and take the movie in a direction you don't quite expect, leaving you utterly speechless. You can watch my full review on my Movie Review Mom channel.