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<\/a>\nI first listened to Indian in the Cupboard <\/i>in 4th or 5th grade. \u00a0It\u2019s the first real book I remember being read aloud to me and it actually really made an impression. \u00a0It was kind of a young boy\u2019s dream. \u00a0I took that dream, and love, and read it aloud to my kids a couple years ago. \u00a0We all enjoyed it fantastically as well. \u00a0It is always a special night on movie night when we get to watch the movie version of one our MANY read-aloud books. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0This one is no different from the rest.<\/p>\n
Omri is a young boy who is given a cupboard for his birthday. \u00a0Yes, a cupboard. \u00a0Why he would even pay attention to that at all I have no idea but if he didn\u2019t there wouldn\u2019t be a movie. \u00a0With the help of a key from his mother\u2019s collection he discovers that plastic toys come to life in the cupboard. \u00a0Most notably is Little Bear, the young Iroquois chief-to-be, who shows up at about 4-5 inches tall. \u00a0After Omri attempts to make Little Bear comfortable with food and materials for a shelter, the indian is restless to return to his own time. \u00a0Omri, however, isn\u2019t quite ready and they strike a deal for him to stay a little longer. \u00a0However, the young boy makes the mistake of letting his friend, Patrick, see the magical cupboard and he quickly wants to bring to life a \u201ccrybaby\u201d cowboy named Boone. \u00a0Adventures to school and a deadly fight ensue before Omri must make a hard decision.<\/p>\n
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Well, the kids\u2019 acting is pretty bad. \u00a0Omri maybe alright, I guess, but his friend is just really bad. \u00a0I usually give some pity to the fact that they are children (but the children now days are acting so well I\u2019m about to take that handicap away) but I have to put my foot down here. \u00a0 Is Omri played by a young Thom Yorke or awkward Chris Martin?! \u00a0 The \u201cadults\u201d in the film, Little Bear and Cowboy Boone, are merely caricatures. \u00a0Both are played decently in their somewhat one dimensional ways.<\/p>\n
For kids, they are going to be looking for action to pull the story along. \u00a0You\u2019ll get a quick scene where Omri brings Darth Vader and Robocop to life (which makes sense, director Frank Oz was the voice of Yoda!). \u00a0The two figurines get into a few good ol\u2019 cowboys and indians fights and the climax of Little Bear hiding from a rat under the floor made a few of us startle! \u00a0Be aware, when Little Bear loses his mind and hurts Boone, the TV has been playing Motley Crue\u2019s \u201cGirls Girls Girls\u201d and some video of indians being massacred by the dozens. \u00a0If that was a real movie it looks a little long in the tooth. \u00a0I\u2019m pretty sure children won\u2019t 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).<\/p>\n
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