Film review: Thunderpants

Genre:
Comedy, Kids and Family

Rating:
PG

Interest Level:
Grade 2 to grade 6

Movie Theme:
Children not fitting in, friendship


Movies with Similar Plots:  
Driving Lessons (2006), Ace Ventura Pet Dectective Jr. (2008)


Bibliographic Information: 
Broadbent, G. (Producer), & Hewitt, P. (Director). (2002). Thunderpants. [Motion Picture]. United Kingdom: Pathé Pictures International.

Plot:  
British child eleven-year-old Patrick Smash had had a problem since he was a baby. He can't stop passing gas. The problem gets so bad that his father leaves, he has no friends at school, and nobody likes him. He dreams of working in outer space but knows his problem make it impossible. He befriends a young boy named Alan A. Allen, a scientific genius who also has no sense of smell. They become best friends and Alan tries to help Patrick with his problem by designing thunderpants. The pants collect Patrick's gas and store it in a lunchbox he holds, so his problem no longer bothers anyone. When Alan disappears suddenly Patrick is left to fend for himself and finds the school bullying continues. He eventually is thrown out of school and then put in jail for a murder he did not commit of a famous opera singer. He is about to be executed when an American working with space program comes to take him away for a secret mission. Will Patrick get to be a spaceman or will his problem doom him to be an outcast forever?

Review:  
This funny and goofy tale is one that has left audiences divided. It's a film that many adults might find crude and would not want to show their children. Some children might find the film to be ridiculous or boring. However many children, tweens in particular, will find this move to be hilarious and also will relate to Patrick's social isolation and his close friendship with Alan.Children many also relate to Alan, a nerdy but brilliant child who ignores the taunting of his peers and continues using his talents. The movie also has the message of the importance of going for our dreams even when we have problems or are socially outcast. This film will not be appreciated by everyone, but the people who will appreciate it will laugh and laugh and also cheer for Patrick and all the underdogs of the world who have a dream of doing great things one day.
  
Notable tweens:

Patrick Smash (played by Bruce Cook)- Patrick is an eleven-year-old who has an embarrassing gas problem. He is socially awkward but also very sweet, caring, and loyal to his friend Alan A. Allen. Patrick dreams of being a spaceman and journeying to outer space someday. He has dark hair, is overweight, and always wears the same outfit with black shorts and a green and black striped shirt.

Alan A. Allen (played by Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame)-  Alan is an eleven-year-old science wiz who doesn't fit in with his peers but doesn't let that stop him from being a great inventor. Alan has red hair, freckles, and glasses, and looks a bit like the stereotypical nerd.

Film Trailer: