Greg Russell
Indian in the Cupboard (1995)
Directed by Frank Oz (also known for Little Shop of Horrors and the Dark Crystal)
I first listened to Indian in the Cupboard in 4th or 5th grade. It’s the first real book I remember being read aloud to me and it actually really made an impression. It was kind of a young boy’s dream. I took that dream, and love, and read it aloud to my kids a couple years ago. We all enjoyed it fantastically as well. It is always a special night on movie night when we get to watch the movie version of one our MANY read-aloud books. I would venture to say that none of the movie versions have really done justice to the books but there are good ones and bad ones. This one is no different from the rest.
Omri is a young boy who is given a cupboard for his birthday. Yes, a cupboard. Why he would even pay attention to that at all I have no idea but if he didn’t there wouldn’t be a movie. With the help of a key from his mother’s collection he discovers that plastic toys come to life in the cupboard. Most notably is Little Bear, the young Iroquois chief-to-be, who shows up at about 4-5 inches tall. After Omri attempts to make Little Bear comfortable with food and materials for a shelter, the indian is restless to return to his own time. Omri, however, isn’t quite ready and they strike a deal for him to stay a little longer. However, the young boy makes the mistake of letting his friend, Patrick, see the magical cupboard and he quickly wants to bring to life a “crybaby” cowboy named Boone. Adventures to school and a deadly fight ensue before Omri must make a hard decision.
Well, the kids’ acting is pretty bad. Omri maybe alright, I guess, but his friend is just really bad. I usually give some pity to the fact that they are children (but the children now days are acting so well I’m about to take that handicap away) but I have to put my foot down here. Is Omri played by a young Thom Yorke or awkward Chris Martin?! The “adults” in the film, Little Bear and Cowboy Boone, are merely caricatures. Both are played decently in their somewhat one dimensional ways.
For kids, they are going to be looking for action to pull the story along. You’ll get a quick scene where Omri brings Darth Vader and Robocop to life (which makes sense, director Frank Oz was the voice of Yoda!). The two figurines get into a few good ol’ cowboys and indians fights and the climax of Little Bear hiding from a rat under the floor made a few of us startle! Be aware, when Little Bear loses his mind and hurts Boone, the TV has been playing Motley Crue’s “Girls Girls Girls” and some video of indians being massacred by the dozens. If that was a real movie it looks a little long in the tooth. I’m pretty sure children won’t react as strongly to the rock video as a parent watching their children watch the rock video but sensitive kids may not understand the wholesale slaughter of indians (not graphic).
Having read the book we were able to compare and contrast the two stories. Unlike some of the books we read, this one didn’t throw out everything but the title (I’m looking at you Mr. Popper’s Penguins!) It did however settle in on a very different tone. While the book played more with novelty of bringing the toys to life, the movie emphasized Omri’s realization that the alive toys were … well…. alive! The book dealt with this somewhat but the movie made it the main theme. I actually thought it was a good change, allowing for a lesson and heartfelt . Omri faces the very real realization that other people (or “pets”?) have feelings as well. Throughout the film you realize the Omri is learning from Little Bear and, in fact, the plastic indian come-to-life becomes a father figure to him.
The plot is predictable and the movie takes no risks. It doesn’t, however, miss as common family fare with a little fantasy, a little intrigue, a little morality. It is however a movie in a back catalog of movies the kids have seen before. Don’t expect anything ground-breaking here but rest assured your little ones will enjoy the ride
Mom says “If the cupboard pulled Little Bear from the past, from where did it pull Darth Vader?”
Suggested age: 7+ (brief suggested dancing and old movie style killing)
Adult Grade: B-
Kid’s Grad: We liked it!