An intelligent, stylishly shot film that -- for the most part -- doesn't pander to its youthful audience.
Holes (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:133
Fresh:103
Rotten:30
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Faithful to its literary source, this is imaginative, intelligent family entertainment.
Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Louis Sachar's acclaimed teen adventure novel comes to dazzling life with this wildly entertaining adaptation. Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) is an unassuming adolescent whose family has been... Louis Sachar's acclaimed teen adventure novel comes to dazzling life with this wildly entertaining adaptation. Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) is an unassuming adolescent whose family has been cursed for generations. One day, after Stanley is falsely accused of stealing a pair of sneakers, he is sentenced to 18 months at Camp Green Lake. But when he gets there, he discovers that this camp is really more like a prison. Under the supervision of the fiery Mr. Sir (Jon Voight) and goofy Dr. Pendanski (Tim Blake Nelson), Stanley and his cohorts must spend each day digging holes in the desert, in order "to build character." Or at least that's what The Warden (Sigourney Weaver) says. When Stanley finally gathers up the courage to escape the camp, he and fellow escapee Zero (Khleo Thomas) stumble across a secret that will expose Camp Green Lake for the evil place that it is, and erase the Yelnats family curse forever. Director-producer Andrew Davis (THE FUGITIVE) performs a miraculous feat with HOLES, crafting a family film that is smart, funny, and engaging. Sachar's story teaches enormously valuable lessons about respect, teamwork, and honesty, making HOLES a must-see for individuals everywhere. [More]
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette, Tim Blake Nelson, Rick Fox, Khleo Thomas, Henry Winkler, Siobhan Fallon, Nathan Davis, Eartha Kitt
Director: Andrew Davis
Director: Andrew Davis
Screenwriter: Louis Sachar
Producer: Lowell D. Blank, Cary Granat, Mike Medavoy, Teresa Tucker-Davies, Andrew Davis
Composer: Joel McNeely
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Reviews for Holes
Kids aren’t dumb. They have opinions, hopes and dreams that deserve to be recognized and exercised, and cinema should be an engaging experience full of power and potential — not a babysitter. 'Holes' is not a babysitter.
Too broad for adults, too simple-minded for kids, too sprawling for anyone.
Brims with storytelling flourishes and gently deployed life lessons that even accompanying adults may dig.
“Holes” flip flops between slapstick and black comedy, not always in a seamless way.
Although some of the narrative meanderings seem overly complex, it all ties together nicely at the end, bringing about an unexpectedly satisfying conclusion to the present-day story.
Even for those too old to have a learning experience with the film, there's plenty to appreciate on a thematic level.
[T]here's too much going on, and none of it is executed well enough to recommend.
...a Hole-ly likable little family film, filled with all the elation and wonder Disney has poured into countless past efforts.
Too many films geared toward young audiences are dumbed down, or worse. Here is a movie that has the potential to inspire them instead.
It's smart, strange, unpredictable, and defies the formulas that typically define this sort of motion picture.
A humorous and suspenseful and imaginative story that's sheer delight.
Latest News for Holes
April 24, 2007:
Shia Getting LeBuff for "Indiana Jones 4"
You know how that kid from "Holes" was cast in the next "Indiana Jones"? Well, you might not recognize him by the time the flick hits theaters next year. More...
April 04, 2007:
The Return of Roger Ebert
Since Rotten Tomatoes is a website dedicated to movies, movie fans and movie critics, we obviously think a lot of Roger Ebert around here. And after a series of surgeries and a... More...
February 20, 2007:
Shia LaBeouf as Indiana Jones Jr.?
Let's just toss this particular piece of movie gossip into the "wait and see" pile to see how it turns out. According to a few sources, word is that Shia LaBeouf may... More...
April 21, 2006:
"Transformers" Cast Shaping Into Something Cool
IGN FilmForce snagged some solid scoopage by learning the names of several actors attached to Michael Bay's "Transformers" adaptation. We learned last week that Shia... More...
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