It’s set in Laos and has subtitles, so make sure you know how to read before you watch this film.
Spoilers ahead!!!
This movie is about a boy named Ahlo. Now apparently in Ahlo’s tribe they think that whenever there are twins one is blessed and one is cursed. They sadly never know which one is cursed and which one is not, so they kill them both!!!!!! So sad.
Ahlo was not sentenced to death because his twin died when he was born, but the grandma still wants to kill Ahlo because he killed his mother by accident with a boat when they were walking to their new village because their old one was being destroyed by a new hydro electric dam. When they finally get to their new home they meet two new people; Kia and Uncle Purple, who dresses up in a purple James Brown suit. They all hate their new home so they leave. While they seek a new place to live, they find a village that is doing a rocket competition to bring rain and end a drought.
Guess what??? Australia is making this their nominee for the Oscars! I really hope The Rocket wins.
I think The Rocket was a total family fare film and I found kids I know who fit with the different characters’ personality but sadly I was the only kid in the theatre when I saw it! So next time it plays in the theater make an effort to take your kids with you, but be sure they know how to read subtitles and they know what a swear is and that they know not to say it.
My favorite character was Kia, a six year old girl. She was really funny, despite losing her entire family to disease called malaria. She was constantly telling Ahlo he’s stupid and an idiot because he didn’t know not to drink dirty water since that’s how her family got sick. Plus she has good dance moves!
My favorite part is when Kia pulls out her dance moves in front of the villagers to distract them. Now you’re probably wondering why on earth did Kia have to distract the villagers? Well, she had to distract the villagers because Ahlo needed a fuse for his rocket. I mean he can build all of it EXCEPT the fuse he even built the bombs out of bat poop!! But seriously how are you supposed to make a fuse from scratch? I’d like to know!!!!
I really liked The Rocket but I thought that they could have gotten to the rocket competition sooner because halfway through you’re thinking to yourself how much time is left and why did they call the movie The Rocket when there has been no mention of a rocket? So be aware of that when you watch it.
I hope you make an effort to go see The Rocket when comes to the theaters again.
calgarykidcritic 
1 thought on “I saw a movie called The Rocket at CIFF 2013”