TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

dansmcmurray Another family movie, that tries to be a kid "Indiana Jones". It starts out with a really strange pace, that pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the movie, along with EVERY Cliché EVER TO BE IN A FAMILY MOVIE. Dead grandparent leaves map behind, Kid gets picked on by annoying bullies who play video games. It's all there. The clichés are definitely the main issue in the movie. By half way even the 6yr old was guessing what would happen next and was (no surprise) correct. This led to an extremely boring and predictable film. The only plot twist is at the literal VERY END. But it doesn't even really make sense, a lot like the entire movie. The only goodish part is the writing, which can be clever at times, but the acting seriously lets it down.

vchimpanzee In 1863 Sudan, a group of men discover a box containing what we later learn is a large sapphire.In present day North Bay, Michigan, Mickey attends the funeral of his beloved grandfather Jack. Young female relatives don't seem to care as they laugh at whatever is on someone's phone. But Mr. Stumpwater has wonderful things to say about the man. Later, Mickey finds out his grandfather left him a rock in his will. Not realizing its importance, the disappointed Mickey almost throws it into Lake Michigan before Mr. Stumpwater rescues it and reminds Mickey the rock is important. Using a microscope, Mickey discovers a map on the rock and decides to investigate with his new friend Sully, a Chicago girl staying with her Grams while her parents work out their problems.A couple of tough Southerners rob a local bank and proclaim the South will rise again. It turns out they are Copperheads working for Stalwert Priggish III, and their goal is to find the Alchemy Machine and make enough silver to take over the United States.Grams and several others are part of a group of Patriots formed by Abraham Lincoln to protect the Three Elements that control the Alchemy Machine. Mickey's rock is one of the three, and another is in Jack's museum. And the sapphire is also discovered. The Patriots and Copperheads now must fight to determine who controls the Alchemy Machine. Fortunately, the Southerners who robbed the bank are like the Three Stooges.I really liked Sully, and Mickey is pleasant enough and quite smart. Patrika Darbo shows intelligence and determination. Ernie Hudson does a great job and also shows courage. And Christopher Lloyd does his usual good job in flashbacks.The actors playing the Southerners are another matter. Rick Plummer is good as their leader. The bald man is funny and pretty good. The man with long hair, though, seems to lack talent and delivers laughs just because he is such a moron. This is an interesting mystery even if it occasionally turns violent.

bluerox81 Excellent movie!! Great casting and acting, the cinematography was very well done. I highly recommend this to anyone with children who have a sense of adventure! It also has a very meaningful message and unfortunately most kids movies today miss that important quality. This writer really "gets it", when it comes to quality films for young adults. He helps show them that morals are important and that getting outside and exploring what nature has to offer is very exciting! My nephews loved it, (they range in age for 8-13), they asked me if I could set up a treasure hunt for them outside in the woods so they could explore. Thank you for helping me show them there is more to life then video games and for also helping me remember what it was like to be that age again. We all look forward to the sequel!

nowornever13 Mickey Matson is a fun, family friendly film. It follows the adventures of a boy who begins searching for answers after receiving a rock from his grandfather. With the help of friends, he begins to unravel a mystery and discovers his grandfather's long kept secret. As he does so, he is forced to make some very tough decisions about doing what is right and learns that doing what is best is rarely the easiest option.There's a little action, mystery, history, and some hilarious bad guys. The story line was fun and is something everyone can enjoy. I liken it to the Goonies or a kids' version of National Treasure. The cinematography, lighting, and visual effects were also very nice! I enjoyed the visual aspect of the film as much as I did the plot.