132 reviews
"The Kings of Summer" is a film you need to accept on its own terms. It's not a Hollywood production, it has a relatively low budget and it has a few plot problems. Sure, the characters might not be 100% believable or even really that likable--but, if you sit back and watch it with modest expectations, you'll find the good easily outweighs the bad.
The film is about two disaffected teens. Both hate it at home and they want to get out...but how? When one comes up with an insane plan to move into the woods and build their own shack, the other, reluctantly comes along for the plan. There is a third--and that kid, Biaggio, is a real cipher. He's bizarre and in the film mostly for comic relief--though I found myself liking him the best of the three. But when he disappears, no one seems to notice...he's that sort of a kid. But the two main characters are initially happy and their running away seems to be working out well...at least for a time.
Overall, this is a film that folks who only enjoy traditional movies will probably NOT like very much. As for me, I have a higher than normal tolerance for the unusual and found a lot of nice performances and moments in the film. Worth seeing and clever.
The film is about two disaffected teens. Both hate it at home and they want to get out...but how? When one comes up with an insane plan to move into the woods and build their own shack, the other, reluctantly comes along for the plan. There is a third--and that kid, Biaggio, is a real cipher. He's bizarre and in the film mostly for comic relief--though I found myself liking him the best of the three. But when he disappears, no one seems to notice...he's that sort of a kid. But the two main characters are initially happy and their running away seems to be working out well...at least for a time.
Overall, this is a film that folks who only enjoy traditional movies will probably NOT like very much. As for me, I have a higher than normal tolerance for the unusual and found a lot of nice performances and moments in the film. Worth seeing and clever.
- planktonrules
- Oct 15, 2013
- Permalink
Toy's House was an interesting film following what most teenage kids wish...A kid who finally breaks free from his parents control. Joe Toy and his friend Patrick get fed up with their parents and decide to build a house in the woods to live in.
I really enjoyed this movie. It seemed to have the right mix of comedy and drama to keep you engaged the whole movie. Watching a couple of teenage boys try and survive in the woods was a lot of fun, and Nick Offerman as Joe's dad was a lot of fun as well. The biggest thing to note, is that while this is billed as a comedy, it was definitely more than that. The emotional aspect of this movie was everything you come to expect from a movie that has to sale itself with a great story, like most films at Sundance, which made it all that more fun.
I really enjoyed this movie. It seemed to have the right mix of comedy and drama to keep you engaged the whole movie. Watching a couple of teenage boys try and survive in the woods was a lot of fun, and Nick Offerman as Joe's dad was a lot of fun as well. The biggest thing to note, is that while this is billed as a comedy, it was definitely more than that. The emotional aspect of this movie was everything you come to expect from a movie that has to sale itself with a great story, like most films at Sundance, which made it all that more fun.
- JustinBell4
- Feb 17, 2013
- Permalink
"Why live when you can rule."
There have been several coming of age films that have been released over the years, but very few have actually stuck with me. The Kings of Summer is one of those few movies that appealed to me and had me emotionally involved with the characters. First time director Jordan Vogt- Roberts takes us through a range of emotions from nostalgic and heart breaking moments to laugh out loud buddy moments. It lives up to the standard of other great coming of age tales like Stand By Me. There is something about a group of young teens exploring the woods and their transition to adulthood that simply appeals to me. The scenery was also breathtaking and I absolutely fell in love with those woods. I could see what was so appealing for these kids and their need to feel independent. It does have that sort of familiar indie vibe to it, but thanks to some great performances the movie stands out above most of them. Moises Arias had me laughing throughout the entire movie playing this quirky character that reminded me a lot of Fogell in Superbad. His comedic timing was perfect and he had the funniest lines in the film. The screenplay by first timer Chris Galletta was also really well developed. I will be looking forward to his next work because his script made it easy to go through such different ranges of emotions. This film felt like a simple sweet feel good movie and it is one that I would recommend to my friends especially if they love the woods.
Joe (Nick Robinson) has just finished his freshman year in High School and isn't looking forward to spending his Summer with his widowed father Frank (Neil Offerman) who makes his life miserable just because he's miserable. His best friend Patrick (Gabriel Basso) doesn't enjoy living with his parents any better. His parents (played by Marc Evan Jackson and Megan Mullally) are over protective and seem to want to manage every single detail of his life. Not wanting to spend their entire summers abiding by their parents rules the two kids decide to run away and build their own home in the nearby woods and survive in the wild by hunting and gathering food. This way they can be free to do what they want and make their own rules. Joe and Patrick also bring along a strange friend named Biaggio (Moises Arias). The three seem to be having the time of their lives without anyone telling them what to do and having guests over whenever they want to until a girl named Kelly (Erin Moriarty) gets in the way of their friendship and disrupts the balance of their kingdom.
The Kings of Summer works thanks to some great performances from the trio of friends who bring a sense of nostalgia to the viewers' senses simply by playing and running around in the woods with swords and sticks. Those unscripted moments in which the kids simply goof around with one another are the best. Arias is really hilarious and he seems to steal every scene here. Robinson also gives a strange performance in the lead role. The film is easy going with likable characters and some wonderful cinematography. It is just great to look at and it completely surprised me at times with some of the turns the story took. It wasn't one of those predictable coming of age films and I really had a fun time. I wouldn't be surprised if The Kings of Summer ends up in many peoples' top 10 list at the end of the year because it is a crowd pleaser.
There have been several coming of age films that have been released over the years, but very few have actually stuck with me. The Kings of Summer is one of those few movies that appealed to me and had me emotionally involved with the characters. First time director Jordan Vogt- Roberts takes us through a range of emotions from nostalgic and heart breaking moments to laugh out loud buddy moments. It lives up to the standard of other great coming of age tales like Stand By Me. There is something about a group of young teens exploring the woods and their transition to adulthood that simply appeals to me. The scenery was also breathtaking and I absolutely fell in love with those woods. I could see what was so appealing for these kids and their need to feel independent. It does have that sort of familiar indie vibe to it, but thanks to some great performances the movie stands out above most of them. Moises Arias had me laughing throughout the entire movie playing this quirky character that reminded me a lot of Fogell in Superbad. His comedic timing was perfect and he had the funniest lines in the film. The screenplay by first timer Chris Galletta was also really well developed. I will be looking forward to his next work because his script made it easy to go through such different ranges of emotions. This film felt like a simple sweet feel good movie and it is one that I would recommend to my friends especially if they love the woods.
Joe (Nick Robinson) has just finished his freshman year in High School and isn't looking forward to spending his Summer with his widowed father Frank (Neil Offerman) who makes his life miserable just because he's miserable. His best friend Patrick (Gabriel Basso) doesn't enjoy living with his parents any better. His parents (played by Marc Evan Jackson and Megan Mullally) are over protective and seem to want to manage every single detail of his life. Not wanting to spend their entire summers abiding by their parents rules the two kids decide to run away and build their own home in the nearby woods and survive in the wild by hunting and gathering food. This way they can be free to do what they want and make their own rules. Joe and Patrick also bring along a strange friend named Biaggio (Moises Arias). The three seem to be having the time of their lives without anyone telling them what to do and having guests over whenever they want to until a girl named Kelly (Erin Moriarty) gets in the way of their friendship and disrupts the balance of their kingdom.
The Kings of Summer works thanks to some great performances from the trio of friends who bring a sense of nostalgia to the viewers' senses simply by playing and running around in the woods with swords and sticks. Those unscripted moments in which the kids simply goof around with one another are the best. Arias is really hilarious and he seems to steal every scene here. Robinson also gives a strange performance in the lead role. The film is easy going with likable characters and some wonderful cinematography. It is just great to look at and it completely surprised me at times with some of the turns the story took. It wasn't one of those predictable coming of age films and I really had a fun time. I wouldn't be surprised if The Kings of Summer ends up in many peoples' top 10 list at the end of the year because it is a crowd pleaser.
- estebangonzalez10
- Sep 16, 2013
- Permalink
'The Kings of Summer' was a nice coming-of-age film about 3 teenage boys who want independence so decide to build a house in the woods away from the real world.
I really like the plot and the actors all done a very good job. The 3 boys were believable and extremely likable. The supporting cast were also very good. The house they build looks brilliant. The story is a lot about friendship which is really nice. There was some moments that made you smile but it wasn't overly funny, I would class it as more of a drama film.
Overall it was an enjoyable film, a really meaningful story which is easy to relate to. Definitely worth a watch if you want something to cheer you up.
7.5/10.
I really like the plot and the actors all done a very good job. The 3 boys were believable and extremely likable. The supporting cast were also very good. The house they build looks brilliant. The story is a lot about friendship which is really nice. There was some moments that made you smile but it wasn't overly funny, I would class it as more of a drama film.
Overall it was an enjoyable film, a really meaningful story which is easy to relate to. Definitely worth a watch if you want something to cheer you up.
7.5/10.
First off, I'd like to say that this is my first ever movie review. I'd been prolonging until I find a non-blockbuster movie that can really caught me deeply and The Kings of Summer happened to be the one.
The acting in this movie is basically original, starring Nick Robinson who played Joe perfectly well as a fifteen year-old desperately wanting to get out of his dad's house under his rules just like a typical teenager. Then there's his best friend, Gabriel Basso who played as Patrick who loves his parents but also desperately wanting to get out of their house because of how their parents treat him as a child. Moises Arias as Biaggio, who I think really suits for the role of a physically small friend of both of them who appeared out of nowhere and could really get things funny because he's that lovable and warm. Joe's dad, Nick Offerman as Frank, played a great grumpy father who gets mad and cranky easily in this movie and then there's Erin Moriarty as Kelly, which plays the girl who Joe had a crush on.
The movie at first started just like any ordinary drama movie, but the various shots and angles made it look pretty smart in the beginning. As you watch longer, the movie started getting interesting to where it's going, although you can really guess what will happen next. The Kings of Summer with its "Into The Wild" theme is packed with humor and a bunch of emotional feeling will be involved throughout the movie. Another plus point for this movie is the selection of songs in the background or soundtracks, how each song suits perfectly well based on the actions the characters were doing which really built up my point of view towards the movie.
What caught me the most is how the movie is directed and made it as if he really wants us to feel to be like each one of the character involved there. The shots on the scenery and "wild" views in the forest really succeeded on making me re-think and went deeper about how there's more to the movie than what I've actually seen. The movie does have some really cliché teenager scenes, however, I like how it stays original and remain unpretentious by showing that there's a big chance that conflicts may happen between friends and families but then in the end you will always come back to them, by not having all the cheesy fights nor a corny truce. It sticks to reality and shows people that it is truly what it is.
Not considering how old you are, I really recommend you to watch this movie with anyone for you're about to feel that youth blood pumping down your streams and actually get something out of it. Praise for Jordan Vogt-Roberts for making this movie as perfect, my eyes were glistening right at the very last scene of the movie and at the same time drawing a smile on my face.
The acting in this movie is basically original, starring Nick Robinson who played Joe perfectly well as a fifteen year-old desperately wanting to get out of his dad's house under his rules just like a typical teenager. Then there's his best friend, Gabriel Basso who played as Patrick who loves his parents but also desperately wanting to get out of their house because of how their parents treat him as a child. Moises Arias as Biaggio, who I think really suits for the role of a physically small friend of both of them who appeared out of nowhere and could really get things funny because he's that lovable and warm. Joe's dad, Nick Offerman as Frank, played a great grumpy father who gets mad and cranky easily in this movie and then there's Erin Moriarty as Kelly, which plays the girl who Joe had a crush on.
The movie at first started just like any ordinary drama movie, but the various shots and angles made it look pretty smart in the beginning. As you watch longer, the movie started getting interesting to where it's going, although you can really guess what will happen next. The Kings of Summer with its "Into The Wild" theme is packed with humor and a bunch of emotional feeling will be involved throughout the movie. Another plus point for this movie is the selection of songs in the background or soundtracks, how each song suits perfectly well based on the actions the characters were doing which really built up my point of view towards the movie.
What caught me the most is how the movie is directed and made it as if he really wants us to feel to be like each one of the character involved there. The shots on the scenery and "wild" views in the forest really succeeded on making me re-think and went deeper about how there's more to the movie than what I've actually seen. The movie does have some really cliché teenager scenes, however, I like how it stays original and remain unpretentious by showing that there's a big chance that conflicts may happen between friends and families but then in the end you will always come back to them, by not having all the cheesy fights nor a corny truce. It sticks to reality and shows people that it is truly what it is.
Not considering how old you are, I really recommend you to watch this movie with anyone for you're about to feel that youth blood pumping down your streams and actually get something out of it. Praise for Jordan Vogt-Roberts for making this movie as perfect, my eyes were glistening right at the very last scene of the movie and at the same time drawing a smile on my face.
- democratic-pizza
- Oct 5, 2013
- Permalink
Three unhappy teenagers run away from the sophisticated city life and take refuge in nature, where they plan to build a makeshift home and live off the land, to finally be masters of their own destiny. Once you arrive at your destination, you make it reality, however, realize that the wild is much tougher as the imagined.
Biaggio (Moises Arias), the very rare embodiment of social awkwardness and complete and total lack of personal sophistication teenager, that invokes a combination of amazement, bewilderment, and pity simultaneously from the common viewer. It's a role that cannot be explained...only watched. He is quite possibly one of the best comedic performances I have ever seen a young performer give. It's a wonderfully bizarre role that fully encompasses both the awkwardness and the sincerity of a social misfit. The role is so over-the-top that it's amazing that Arias can make it look so natural and genuine. His acting was spot on and absolutely hilarious. Loved it!
Biaggio (Moises Arias), the very rare embodiment of social awkwardness and complete and total lack of personal sophistication teenager, that invokes a combination of amazement, bewilderment, and pity simultaneously from the common viewer. It's a role that cannot be explained...only watched. He is quite possibly one of the best comedic performances I have ever seen a young performer give. It's a wonderfully bizarre role that fully encompasses both the awkwardness and the sincerity of a social misfit. The role is so over-the-top that it's amazing that Arias can make it look so natural and genuine. His acting was spot on and absolutely hilarious. Loved it!
- e-pappalettera
- Sep 9, 2013
- Permalink
Movies like Into the Wild , 127 hours , The Motorcycle Diaries are based on living your life with full freedom. When you are caged in a house or walking down in somebody's shoes, an aggression will come over you and a force will drive you to explore a place to find peace.
Kings of Summer tells the story of 3 teenagers who are pressurized, dominated and caged by their family. During summer, they decide to build a house and create their own set of rules allowing them to live completely in freedom.
As first time director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts does a fine job in choosing a run-of-mill story and explore the beauty of nature. However it is the weak screenplay and story writing that serves no purpose to watch the film. True the film begins with a positive notes but ends on a shaky ground confusing with any particular message in the end. The camera work is the highlight of the film and genre of the film falls from being a comedy into serious drama. Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias were outstanding and astonishing playing their part with conviction. Background score gels well with the movement of the film.
Overall, Kings of Summer was a nice try. It had excellent cinematography , few fun-filled moments but weak screenplay and story-line makes strictly one-time watch. Decent 2.5/5
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Kings of Summer tells the story of 3 teenagers who are pressurized, dominated and caged by their family. During summer, they decide to build a house and create their own set of rules allowing them to live completely in freedom.
As first time director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts does a fine job in choosing a run-of-mill story and explore the beauty of nature. However it is the weak screenplay and story writing that serves no purpose to watch the film. True the film begins with a positive notes but ends on a shaky ground confusing with any particular message in the end. The camera work is the highlight of the film and genre of the film falls from being a comedy into serious drama. Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias were outstanding and astonishing playing their part with conviction. Background score gels well with the movement of the film.
Overall, Kings of Summer was a nice try. It had excellent cinematography , few fun-filled moments but weak screenplay and story-line makes strictly one-time watch. Decent 2.5/5
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Debut feature director Jordan Vogt-Roberts' Kings of Summer (née Toy's House) is a coming of age story of 2 best friends who decide to build a house in the woods to escape their families and their enigmatic friend Biaggio who accompanies them.
The three kids give great performances and all seem so natural in their characters; Moises Arias is exceptionally funny as the oddball Biaggio. I caught the third ever showing at Sundance London followed by a director's Q&A and he remarked that many moments are just the kid's messing around and sometimes unaware they are being filmed. The montage scene of the kids playing in the woods and banging on the pipe that opens the film was filmed all in one day with just the kids, the D.P and director and is so naturally the sort of nonsense a group of teenagers would get up to.
An amazing supporting cast including the always wonderful Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Megan Mullally and Mary Lynn Rajskub perfectly deliver the material; it's an impressive cast for such a small film.
Début writer Chris Galletta delivered a cracking script that delivers on the laughs and also has some strong emotional moments as the boys inevitably fallout over a girl and we see the kid's fractious relationship with their parents.
A great mix of classic coming of age tales such as Stand By Me and the indie comedies of recent times that hits the comedic and dramatic notes without ever being saccharine, annoyingly quirky or overly morbid as so many indie comedies fall into.
I highly recommend the film; it will transport you back to your terrible but wonderful teenage years and is genuinely hilarious, I can't imagine a single person not loving this film.
Rating- 8/10
The three kids give great performances and all seem so natural in their characters; Moises Arias is exceptionally funny as the oddball Biaggio. I caught the third ever showing at Sundance London followed by a director's Q&A and he remarked that many moments are just the kid's messing around and sometimes unaware they are being filmed. The montage scene of the kids playing in the woods and banging on the pipe that opens the film was filmed all in one day with just the kids, the D.P and director and is so naturally the sort of nonsense a group of teenagers would get up to.
An amazing supporting cast including the always wonderful Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Megan Mullally and Mary Lynn Rajskub perfectly deliver the material; it's an impressive cast for such a small film.
Début writer Chris Galletta delivered a cracking script that delivers on the laughs and also has some strong emotional moments as the boys inevitably fallout over a girl and we see the kid's fractious relationship with their parents.
A great mix of classic coming of age tales such as Stand By Me and the indie comedies of recent times that hits the comedic and dramatic notes without ever being saccharine, annoyingly quirky or overly morbid as so many indie comedies fall into.
I highly recommend the film; it will transport you back to your terrible but wonderful teenage years and is genuinely hilarious, I can't imagine a single person not loving this film.
Rating- 8/10
Three kids, feeling their way through the anxieties of their mid-teens, get together to build a summer retreat in the woods and escape from a droll season in their parents' homes. It's hearty and funny, a great reminder of the unseen handcuff between independence and responsibility that floats into our lives at that age. The grown-ups are particularly hilarious as stiff, out-of-touch caricatures; everything we see them as during adolescence, rolled up and amplified by a few degrees. Moises Arias is the best of the young actors, playing a weird McLovin type who somehow falls into the partnership with two long-term buddies. His heavy gaze alone is usually enough to get me chuckling, and the cryptic, emotionally-detached lines that usually sprout from his lips moments later are absurdity at its best. It can get a little self-absorbed at times, and spirals off into navel-gazing in the third act, but for a good stretch in the middle it's prime coming-of-age goodness.
- drqshadow-reviews
- Feb 22, 2015
- Permalink
"We do swear, under pain of friendship lost, to never speak of this enterprise to any adults; to never betray its location or its participants." Joe (Robinson) and Patrick (Basso) both hate their lives at home. Living with over bearing parents are making them crazy and when they are pushed too far they decide to move out. The find a place in the middle of the woods and build their own house. The two of them along with a young boy who they are afraid to tell to go away start off on a experience that effects each one differently. This is an example of a movie where the trailer doesn't do the movie justice. This is an excellent and must see movie for all teenagers for a few reasons. One is because it shows that their parents aren't as bad as they seem compared to these. I could go on and on about this but the best way to describe this is a Stand By Me for a new generation. This is is movie that just needs to be seen rather then read about. Also the kid that plays Biaggio really steals the movie and is so much fun to watch. Overall, a must see for young teens and parents. I highly recommend. I easily give it an A.
- cosmo_tiger
- Sep 22, 2013
- Permalink
There are few things more frustrating than almost, and The Kings Of Summer is an "almost" kind of movie. Despite a setup which asks us to sympathize with a pair of very self absorbed teens whose biggest problem is that - *gasp!* - their parents are annoying, it still manages to be a reasonably likable movie thanks to random fits of inspired quirkiness and a talented cast. But lost within its folds is a much, much better movie and that wasted potential ultimately serves to overshadow the entire thing.
Despite this, and its ultimately muddled message, The Kings Of Summer has just enough worthwhile individual parts to recommend. -
Despite this, and its ultimately muddled message, The Kings Of Summer has just enough worthwhile individual parts to recommend. -
- Fluke_Skywalker
- Nov 18, 2015
- Permalink
If you are looking for a heart-filled independent film, then this is the right choice for you. This film has a lot of heart put into it, which makes its characters more likable, interesting, and funny. The humor has this old-fashioned vibe to it, making this film great for adults (props to the soundtrack for some awesome retro-gaming like music) Now, do I think the humor stands out as much as the story? Not really, but that's not a bad thing. A comedy's story is usually very weak so that only makes this comedy stronger. Also, the likable cast also leads to some great humor. You want to see these kids succeed in building their own home in the forest and its very enjoyable to watch. A great cast (Moises Arias as an oddball weirdo was an awesomely funny choice), good humor, and a great heart is what a comedy should be made of. The Kings of Summer definitely rules.
- Kyleeeeeeeeeeeeeee
- Jul 21, 2014
- Permalink
The concept of this story has merit, however the execution is well off the mark in all respects.
The story progression seems extremely rushed, partly due to the amount of unnecessary scenes and dialogue that have been afforded to cameo characters at various points. Some of the dialogue has comedic value, but for the most it's just basic.
I think more time needed to be given to develop the main characters and to develop the plot, rather than to random scenes which hold no real relevance to either.
The cosmetics which help keep everything believable were ignored in some respects. Simple things, like how do they store their shop bought chickens without refrigeration, where did they pull architect designs for their house from, why were there fireworks going off in the middle of the bush at night in the swimming scenes, was it necessary for the almost pre-pubescent boys to sprout obviously fake beards and random violin playing in the middle of the forest?
Oh and for those who compared this to Stand by me. Stand by me is far, far, far better than this movie.
The story progression seems extremely rushed, partly due to the amount of unnecessary scenes and dialogue that have been afforded to cameo characters at various points. Some of the dialogue has comedic value, but for the most it's just basic.
I think more time needed to be given to develop the main characters and to develop the plot, rather than to random scenes which hold no real relevance to either.
The cosmetics which help keep everything believable were ignored in some respects. Simple things, like how do they store their shop bought chickens without refrigeration, where did they pull architect designs for their house from, why were there fireworks going off in the middle of the bush at night in the swimming scenes, was it necessary for the almost pre-pubescent boys to sprout obviously fake beards and random violin playing in the middle of the forest?
Oh and for those who compared this to Stand by me. Stand by me is far, far, far better than this movie.
- mitchdumpy
- Sep 7, 2013
- Permalink
Joe Toy (Nick Robinson) is constantly fighting with his father Frank (Nick Offerman). They're alone in the house after the death of the mother and the sister (Alison Brie) moved away. He fantasizes about his friend Kelly (Erin Moriarty) who already has an older boyfriend. He convinces his friend Patrick Keenan (Gabriel Basso) to spend the summer in the woods and build a house in an opening. The class weirdo Biaggio (Moises Arias) tags along.
There is a good sweet 'Stand by Me' vibe going for the most part. A couple of things did bug me. First, the house looks way too good. Joe had already shown that he has no wood working skills with his awful birdhouse. It's more likely that they throw a couple of tarps over some boxes. There is no way that they could build a 2 storey house in the woods.
Second, I thought Biaggio is way too weird. There is weird and then there is Biaggio weird. I like both Nick Robinson and Gabriel Basso. I don't know whether it's Moises Arias, or the writing, or the directing. I understand the approach the writer is attempting. However none of the quirkiness comes off as funny. A few got to be cute, but they were mostly awkward. I think it would have been better to have Biaggio mostly silent.
I do like the two guys and the girl. There is a lovely little teen soap opera going on. The adults led by Nick Offerman provide some good stuff but not all the wacky stuff works. Overall, it's one of those youth coming of age movies with some charm but not all the jokes worked.
There is a good sweet 'Stand by Me' vibe going for the most part. A couple of things did bug me. First, the house looks way too good. Joe had already shown that he has no wood working skills with his awful birdhouse. It's more likely that they throw a couple of tarps over some boxes. There is no way that they could build a 2 storey house in the woods.
Second, I thought Biaggio is way too weird. There is weird and then there is Biaggio weird. I like both Nick Robinson and Gabriel Basso. I don't know whether it's Moises Arias, or the writing, or the directing. I understand the approach the writer is attempting. However none of the quirkiness comes off as funny. A few got to be cute, but they were mostly awkward. I think it would have been better to have Biaggio mostly silent.
I do like the two guys and the girl. There is a lovely little teen soap opera going on. The adults led by Nick Offerman provide some good stuff but not all the wacky stuff works. Overall, it's one of those youth coming of age movies with some charm but not all the jokes worked.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jun 2, 2014
- Permalink
I have no idea what this movie is. All I know is I enjoyed it. It was pretty refreshing to watch. Normally, I would only give a movie of this caliber a 7 or 8, but once you see the mustache the main character grows you'll understand why it was 10 worthy. The whole time he was in the woods I was wondering if it was just dirt on his face. That's how good the mustache was. I'm jealous my facial hair growth is slightly better than that because I would love to have that pedo-stache on my face. Also, Moises Arias is a gem and a half. 90% of his lines make no sense, but I was digging the humor in it. This will go down as a movie that no one else enjoys. If I meet a girl who likes it, I'll probably marry that girl.
- ObservedGuide
- Dec 11, 2016
- Permalink
The coming-of-age subgenre is one well-trodden. But it's one that deserves to be constantly updated through the generations and moving technology though it's hard not to be repetitive. Fortunately, they can bend to any genre and any style which means there's always that perfect one you can connect to. Although I haven't seen it just yet, this year's The Way Way Back seems intended as mainstream nostalgia whereas The Kings of Summer is definitely in the contemporary indie vein though it seems to want it in all the styles and all the genres. It's ambitious to have a script that wants to be part comedy, part serious and part comic. But it never decides if it wants to be realistic or surrealistic and it really hurts the flow of the film. I quite liked its ideas on paper, however basic they were, but in execution, it falls short. It's not because it's without energy, in fact, it's full to the brim, but it's so overdone and forward that it hasn't earned it. Characters simply aren't well developed enough before the story kicks off.
It seems quirky for the sake of quirky, serious for the sake of seriousness. It's like Moonrise Kingdom plus Into the Wild. While there's a realistic atmosphere, some of the aspects just aren't convincing, such as the core one of the kids building a house themselves. The severe factor that isn't convincing are the motivations. It's not enough. However, its emotion and comedy do work, but only in shards and that's due to the style. Nick Offerman is absolutely brilliant as the miserable father and he's the most consistent bright spark. Great to see him have more than a bit-role in a film. The photography is the highlight, perhaps the thing they thought about the most, almost like an instagrammed version of Mud, and it has some 'how did they do that?' shots. But I wish the editing didn't chop it up so much, the whole film feels like highlights rather than the whole story. The Kings of Summer is a mixed bag, but mostly enjoyable. A lot of focus and decisiveness could've helped it by the bucketful.
7/10
It seems quirky for the sake of quirky, serious for the sake of seriousness. It's like Moonrise Kingdom plus Into the Wild. While there's a realistic atmosphere, some of the aspects just aren't convincing, such as the core one of the kids building a house themselves. The severe factor that isn't convincing are the motivations. It's not enough. However, its emotion and comedy do work, but only in shards and that's due to the style. Nick Offerman is absolutely brilliant as the miserable father and he's the most consistent bright spark. Great to see him have more than a bit-role in a film. The photography is the highlight, perhaps the thing they thought about the most, almost like an instagrammed version of Mud, and it has some 'how did they do that?' shots. But I wish the editing didn't chop it up so much, the whole film feels like highlights rather than the whole story. The Kings of Summer is a mixed bag, but mostly enjoyable. A lot of focus and decisiveness could've helped it by the bucketful.
7/10
- Sergeant_Tibbs
- Sep 7, 2013
- Permalink
I love coming of age movies and I love to laugh. In my 17 years I have never seen a movie that has appealed to me so entirely. You can't go into this expecting anything too serious, I think that is the issue that most negative reviewers had. While there are some significant themes here, Kings of Summer is not The Shawshank Redemption. This is not because it fails as a movie, but because it does not try to be anything more than what it is. This is a film that is meant to be a humorous look into the lives of a couple of teenagers. I think there is a tendency among many "movie-nuts" to believe that the only good movies are those that depress you or involve some very dark themes. I guess what I am saying is to go in with an open mind, and just enjoy yourself. Anyone who doesn't feel a bit better leaving this movie than when entering it is obviously trying too hard to be critical. Let go, have a laugh, join the three Kings of Summer.
- sneakysnacks
- Oct 16, 2013
- Permalink
Very enjoyable coming-of-age flick. Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias play three teenagers in the summer after their freshman year of high school. Robinson and Basso, in particular, have become increasingly annoyed with their parents (Nick Offerman, in his best film role yet, plays Robinson's gruff, single father and Megan Mullally (Offerman's wife) and Marc Evan Jackson play Basso's ditzy parents). They decide to run away, build a house deep in the forest and live by themselves. The film is quirky in a funny (not annoying) way, and the first half of it is about the funniest thing I've seen all year. The second half is a bit more dramatic and probably more conventional: Erin Moriarty, a girl whom Robinson has a crush on, discovers the boys' plan and starts to hang out with them. She falls for Basso instead, upsetting the friendship. I kind of wish it had remained more comic, but it's still quite good. The performances here are ace. Offerman is probably the best. No, it's not an especially different role than his Ron Swanson from the sitcom Parks & Recreation, but he's given a lot of depth. The funniest sequence in the film has him arguing with deliveryman Kumail Nanjiani (a huge comic talent whose potential will surely someday be realized, most likely on a network sitcom) about the size of his restaurant's dumplings. Of the kids, Arias gets the most laughs as a goofy looking kid who is often mistaken for a psycho. Alison Brie, of Community and Mad Men fame, also appears as Robinson's older sister, but unfortunately she doesn't have much to do. The film is really well shot and directed. I especially loved the use of slow motion. This is a keeper.
- thenekassyni
- Sep 3, 2015
- Permalink
There's not a lot I can say about this movie just that it is a MASTERPIECE. This is a movie that once watched is hard to stop watching, mainly because of the pure genius that was produced. The movie can resemble typical teenager's life that wants to spend time with their friends, being independent and mainly rule at the same time. The movie includes comedy, adventure and drama all rolled into one.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts was a first time director when making this movie and what a way to kick of his career with a movie like The Kings of Summer. He got the characters spot on in this movie and choose the perfect actors to play the characters; the three main characters are Joe Toy (Nick Robinson), Patrick Keenan (Gabriel Basso) and Biaggio (Moises Arias). He didn't just get the characters/actors spot on he got the set of where they were filming in the woods perfectly and makes me especially want to build my own house there.
Joe has just finished his freshman year in high school and is about to spend his summer with his father Frank Toy (Nick Offerman). Frank makes Joe's life a misery and Joe dislikes him this plays a main part in Joe's run away. Joe's best friend Patrick lives with his mum and dad (played by Megan Mullally and Marc Evan Jackson) Patrick seriously dislikes living with his parents mainly because they control every bit of his life by being overprotective. Not wanting to be controlled by their parents both of them decide to run off into the woods and build their own house gather the food themselves and follow their own rules without know one knowing especially their parents. It wasn't just them two though that ran away from home their strange friend Biaggio also comes along not knowing why he ran off. Wanting company the three decide to have a house warming dinner with Kelly (Erin Moriarty) and a couple other friends as well. Joe deeply loves Kelly but she doesn't feel the same way as him.
The Kings of Summer makes a great movie due to the great acting and the storyline. I highly recommend watching this as it will be a movie you wouldn't think twice of watching it again.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts was a first time director when making this movie and what a way to kick of his career with a movie like The Kings of Summer. He got the characters spot on in this movie and choose the perfect actors to play the characters; the three main characters are Joe Toy (Nick Robinson), Patrick Keenan (Gabriel Basso) and Biaggio (Moises Arias). He didn't just get the characters/actors spot on he got the set of where they were filming in the woods perfectly and makes me especially want to build my own house there.
Joe has just finished his freshman year in high school and is about to spend his summer with his father Frank Toy (Nick Offerman). Frank makes Joe's life a misery and Joe dislikes him this plays a main part in Joe's run away. Joe's best friend Patrick lives with his mum and dad (played by Megan Mullally and Marc Evan Jackson) Patrick seriously dislikes living with his parents mainly because they control every bit of his life by being overprotective. Not wanting to be controlled by their parents both of them decide to run off into the woods and build their own house gather the food themselves and follow their own rules without know one knowing especially their parents. It wasn't just them two though that ran away from home their strange friend Biaggio also comes along not knowing why he ran off. Wanting company the three decide to have a house warming dinner with Kelly (Erin Moriarty) and a couple other friends as well. Joe deeply loves Kelly but she doesn't feel the same way as him.
The Kings of Summer makes a great movie due to the great acting and the storyline. I highly recommend watching this as it will be a movie you wouldn't think twice of watching it again.
- lucasclough99
- Jul 14, 2015
- Permalink
- zafar142007
- Sep 15, 2016
- Permalink
I really like coming of age films. Being a young adult at the time or writing this review, I can relate to them. It talks about growing up and how it can be tough. But sadly, this film was a mess for me.
At times, it tries to be a comedy, but feels kind of awkward. It almost comes across as a movie that could have been PG rated or even a kids movie, but throws in the F-bomb every now and then. The humour sometimes worked, because I had a few laughs, but it mostly came across as boring and stale. Other times the movie tries to be serious. There's a situation at the end that tries to be dramatic, but because of the weird tone of the film, I just don't feel it. It also includes moments that almost feel like it's trying to be an artsy independent film, or even a Terrence Malick film, because there's scenes where we see wildlife and people walking in fields. None of this works for me.
The performances by the kids were... interesting. The two main kids are good, but the one weird Italian kid did not work. He was trying to be comedic relief but he was an unoriginal stupid character. Nick Offerman plays one of the characters fathers, and honestly, I don't completely understand his appeal. He always plays the sarcastic guy, and it sometimes works in other films and even this one, but it just doesn't allow you to connect to his character, which I feel the film wanted you to do.
I really wanted this to be good, because it seemed interesting, but in the end it felt like a weird and cheesy kids movie that happens to have some swearing. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe if I rewatched it another time, it might click, but I just didn't get that this time around.
At times, it tries to be a comedy, but feels kind of awkward. It almost comes across as a movie that could have been PG rated or even a kids movie, but throws in the F-bomb every now and then. The humour sometimes worked, because I had a few laughs, but it mostly came across as boring and stale. Other times the movie tries to be serious. There's a situation at the end that tries to be dramatic, but because of the weird tone of the film, I just don't feel it. It also includes moments that almost feel like it's trying to be an artsy independent film, or even a Terrence Malick film, because there's scenes where we see wildlife and people walking in fields. None of this works for me.
The performances by the kids were... interesting. The two main kids are good, but the one weird Italian kid did not work. He was trying to be comedic relief but he was an unoriginal stupid character. Nick Offerman plays one of the characters fathers, and honestly, I don't completely understand his appeal. He always plays the sarcastic guy, and it sometimes works in other films and even this one, but it just doesn't allow you to connect to his character, which I feel the film wanted you to do.
I really wanted this to be good, because it seemed interesting, but in the end it felt like a weird and cheesy kids movie that happens to have some swearing. I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe if I rewatched it another time, it might click, but I just didn't get that this time around.
- TheFilmGuy1
- Jun 17, 2014
- Permalink