Sadly Over-hyped

Don't Believe the Hype

Blistering performances.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Don't like this movie at all. Thin and confusing plot, boring and long, with exaggerated and stereotypical acting. Lots of things happen, and it mixes up the plot. The acting is unrealistic. The movie is very long and it feels stretched, and it takes a while for a small problem to be solved. There is very little action. Filming is less like a movie than a fan film. The villains or "bad guys" in the movie can't be taken seriously, mostly because their voices are very stereotypical, so it doesn't seem as if there is too big of a conflict, and they are defeated too easily. Would not recommend to anyone except very young audiences. Anyone older probably would be bored. The computer effects are pretty good, and the Labou is likable, but the movie doesn't seem to really be about the Labou as much as the the people buying the swamp for oil.

This is not a bad film, especially considering the IMDb-estimated budget ($1M). It should be pointed out, however, that the basic structure of the cast/characters follows some pretty cliché'd stereotypes. The main "gang" that goes in search of Bayou Bob consists of two boys and a girl (in films of the 1930s and 1940s, for example, the gangs were almost always all-girl or all-boy in similar stories). This is not a problem, per se, but the perceptive adult should be asking why it is never two girls and a boy, or larger gangs where girls predominate, or, indeed, why (these days) is it virtually never all-boy or all-girl gangs? Variety may be the spice of life, but not of kids' films!As for the individual characters, they, too are stereotypes: the gentle macho (Toddster); the sensible girl (Emily) whose opinions and instincts are right much more often than the boys; and the lovable, African-American nerd (Gavin) whose tech-savvy verbosity provides both plot devices and comic relief. These characters, especially Gavin, are lifted right out of the TV show "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" (2004-07). The Asian Emily and African-American Gavin are, moreover, so obviously tokens that any sufficiently aware viewers (are there any?) will be groaning in embarrassment for the filmmakers. Why not make all the characters Asian? Or Pakistani? or any non-Caucasian combination? Even the swamp "monster" of the title is so obviously a descendant of E.T. that Spielberg should be considering copyright action. As for the "greedy oil tycoons buying up swampland to make an oil refinery" (quoted from the IMDb plot summary)? Shades -- no, rip-offs -- of Hoot (2006), and any number of other films and TV movies that pit kids against big-money interests, going all the way back to Bless the Beasts and Children (1971).In summary, a reasonably watchable film that, like so many others, still leaves us longing for something new. It's as if the "industry" feels kids (and families) don't deserve anything truly original. This attitude is (almost) everybody's loss.

There is a very good quality movie that is not only great for children to watch, but for the parents as well. There is great production value with this film and the location of New Orleans only adds to the film. The character of Labou is unique and it is great to see a director like Greg create a character like Labou from scratch and not just rely on special effects. The story has adventure, comedy, and friendships being made. Every boy will love the pirates and treasure aspect of it and the girls will fall in love with the cute character of Labou. The acting was great and the children were relatable. Great overall movie and destined to become a children's classic.

I saw it at one of the test screenings and thought it was a treat! Cute creature, and nice to see the movie makers shooting in New Orleans. I really like the set up and you are not just bombarded with special effects and CG, just some good young actors and a good adventure with a Goonies type feel. The creature is animatronic and it has a real texture to it that they can yet get right and I have only glimpsed with the likes of Golem and that creature in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.This one looks to be some good family fun if it gets released and from what i saw it certainly should.Great comedic father and son duo and from what I can gather the Mayor in the story is the real mayor of New Orleans.