At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

SON OF RAMBOW is a light and engaging little rites-of-passage tale set in the 1980s. The youthful protagonists are a pair of mixed-up kids entranced by a pirate video of the Stallone hit FIRST BLOOD, so they decide to shoot their own version of Rambo in the woods. The story gets complicated by the intervention of various other oddball characters, including a flamboyant French exchange student and a Christian sect. I was pleased to see that as a buddy movie this has no needless romance tacked onto the story. It's best watched to enjoy the breakout talents of Will Poulter, who, as with THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER, is the best thing in the movie and quite the superb actor even at an early age.

What I like in British films is the honesty in depicting "nasty" things as they are, including "adult" activities among children (unlike in most US movies where the young do "adult" thing when over 18 only). This realism together with references to right values and the use of distinct (not doll-like) child actors results with nice coming-of-age stories where both good and bad, laugh and tears are in place in a meaningful manner.The triggering element in Son of Rambow - action film First Blood - is not a children fairy-tale either, but it allows to develop nicely odd events and characters, although "boys will still be boys". Bill Milner as Will Proudfoot and Will Poulter as Lee Carter are great findings, the best supporting kid is Jules Sitruk as Didier Revol. "Older" characters are not elaborated, their relative importance is rather low, without catchy performances.A nice Sundance-type film, not among the best, but still enjoyable. Apparently not for all families due to overt violence, strong language and criticism of religion.

After I saw a trailer along with some really good reviews from so many places I decided that this is a definitely a movie to watch. It looks raw and seems like a really good independent movie that I always enjoy plus I always enjoy English humor. But after having seen it for myself I somehow find it pretty bland and pointless. It wasn't bad film but it wasn't good either.Synopsis: A story about two school boys with two different backgrounds joint together to make the home movie (where they were inspired from the movie First Blood) for the competition, along the way they met many obstacles that challenge their friendship.It took quite a long while before you will understand where the film is heading to, there are quite a few good moment in the film but the lack of substance in the story making this movie so empty and thus not really hold the interest well. It wasn't like it was predictable story but the flow of the film was pretty uneven and the character wasn't really standout (this might actually clash with other people idea, I believe).I believe the best of the film was the casting of the two main characters Will and Carter, and the kid did a good job portraying their character. Other actors also did pretty alright with their role specially the French kid, though I still not really see main purpose of his existence despite the fact he is one of the few main character and the one who cause the rift between Will and Carter and other student with his Mr. Popular status. His character hasn't done anything much. I also feel that Will imagination hasn't been express to the fullest in the film.Otherwise I thought everything was pretty alright, the film do consist of blend in score (though sometime feel really strange), nice location, good dialogue, neat wardrobe and so on. Not much has been emphasize that the film took place in the '80 but just the few accessories, few words and wardrobe of the French kid that dress like Boy George and Cyndi Lauper combine and that seem like the trendiest thing then.All in all, I can't really fully recommend this movie to anyone – first if you're not into this type of movie you will surely bored and - second if you do actually like to watch independence film this still is not really that good, cause this isn't much of story driven.All I can recommend was if you still want to watch it catch it on free cable or rent it from DVD store.Reason to Watch: Will and Carter are lovable character.Reason to Watch: Not really hold interest.Rating: 5/10 (Grade: D+) PS: They do explain why the film spell Rambow with "W" inside the film at the end of the credit.

I was drawn into this film right from the first scene where we see Lee Carter running with a camera. From that moment onwards there was never a dull moment and the film simply rocked, at least for QUITE SOMETIME. It was funny, charming and everything else you can ask from a British film.Will Poulter played Lee Carter and he was simply special. Great acting, good humor timing and above all the way he portrayed his character was amazing. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the role after that terrific performance.He is well supported by Bill Milner as Will Proudfoot. They formed what I call, "the perfect partnership" that carried this film from the beginning. Great to watch! The only part where this movie slacked off a bit is the middle section, there is character of a French exchange student which is really not required. This part specifically almost ended my enthusiasm.But not to worry...the film ends well and overall I give it a Thumbs Up!