User Reviews

I usually watch modern versions of classic tales with great trepidation, having discovered that the simplicity of great books and old movies is destroyed by a total lack of charm and too much phoniness through the overabundance of computer generated animation. The casting too is usually based upon whoever is hot at the time, regardless if they are right for the part or not. In the case of this modern version of two Mark Twain classics, it has a lot going for it, sharing the joy of classic literature from the moment that Tom Sawyer makes his first appearance, showing joy at the sight of the Mississippi river. So it's not perfect, but I wasn't expecting anything to improve on the 1930 version starring Jackie Cooper or the technicolor version starring Tommy Kelly.

As Tom, Joel Courtney is an absolute charmer, completely in tune with the character, and totally perfect in the time period. Jake T. Austin tries too hard to be "the cool kid", often rapping his lines, which is out of place with the classic Americana feel. But he's perfect in comparison to Katherine McNamara as Becky Thatcher who seems like she should be in "High School Musical" (actually college musical) than the mid-late 1800's. The supporting cast isn't perfect as an ensemble, with the male school master extremely effeminate, a rather cool Aunt Polly, and famous characters not at all giving off a Midwest feel.

But the music score is excellent, the photography breathtaking and the presentation of already familiar adventures really exciting. With modern sensibilities, this could be a great way to interest young audiences in classic literature. If only they had realized with all the recent Grimm Fairy Tale ripoffs and the two "Alice in Wonderland" tales that less is more. If this shows anything important, it's the value of friendship and the adventures one can find as a kid, no electricity or batteries needed.

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)

Rating: 3/5 stars

Retains the flavor of Twain's beloved characters while also providing a good origin story for subsequent endeavors. If only the plot had more coherence, the direction was more solid, and some scenes did not seem rushed, this one had the chutzpah to go down as a rip-roaring, swashbuckling, classic adventure film. As it is, this version of Sawyer and Finn does have enough steam to make us invest time in the characters and also introduce today's generation to two classic American heroes from two of the greatest American novels.

The canvas harks back to a bygone era, and the set pieces are authentic along with successfully evoking a sense of nostalgia. The adventure unfolds as Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn – Tom's friend from the streets – witness a murder in the graveyard. Tom and Huck flee to Jackson Island and make a pact never to tell anyone about the incident. However, when the good-natured Muff Potter, who has been blamed for the murder is sentenced to death by hanging, Tom breaks his promise and returns to exonerate Muff Potter. In jun Joe, the actual murderer, makes a hasty exit from the courtroom during the trial. A short time later, Tom and Huck find references to a treasure and have to face In jun Joe again.

The film is also quite a faithful adaptation of Twain's first great novel, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", and includes the whitewash episode, puppy love, the graveyard murder, the boys' running away to Jackson's Island, the salvation of Muff Potter, and the cave adventure. The ensemble cast, especially the two titular leads, does a fine job of reinterpreting Twain's classic characters, now part of global folklore. Val Kilmer surprisingly does quite a good Twain in his cameo and voice-over.

Quintessentially Sawyer and Finn in spirit, though not in reach, the film heralds a hopeful dawn of a faithful, long overdue, rendition of two of the most sublime adventure novels ever penned.

The Tom and Huckleberry actors were decent, Kilmer did a very passable Twain. But, how can you take an Injun Joe with an eastern European accent seriously? Not just him, but half the cast with accents that are definitely not American English. Tom's wardrobe changes were a mess, with the red and white shirts interchangeable at will. References made in the book as to the whereabouts of the treasure are lost in this movie version, and the pitiful last minute shots of Huck and Jim are a p.s. to the rest of the film. Why did they even bother? I understand this was filmed in Bulgaria. It should have stayed there, the accents would have disappeared, and the poor excuse for Tom's hometown would not have been so obvious. The picket fence is not a picket fence and should have been white washed, not painted. (There is a difference.) The switchblade was not a switchblade, Becky Thatcher's father, the judge (that connection is never mentioned), is old enough to be her grandfather, Sid is just there for window dressing, and Huckleberry magically becomes a ward of the widow.

It is tragically unfortunate that the casting director, director, producer, executive producers and quite possibly the actors themselves have not read the book! I wonder why anyone would think it would be okay to take an American Classic, create a screenplay for it and disregard the author's purpose? Mark Twain had a very specific message. Hmmm, creative license only works when you are being creative. The book was about the unlikely friendship between a white boy and a black boy during that era. Too bad because the action sequences and the way the narrative was portrayed could have worked, and been recognized by the industry and the public as fantastic. Kudos for placing a great character actor, Val Kilmer as the older Tom Sawyer.

I have always liked a good Mark Twain story, and even moreso, the adventures of "Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer" (1979 - ). I remember watching the TV series in 1980, before I would make the 15 mile hike to school through treacherous backwoods, through alligator infested swamps… nah just kidding :) I did walk to school which was about 5 minutes walk, but in those days when I was young, I would re-enact some adventures in my mind and imagine I was there with the lads, having adventures of my own.

So when I came across this pearl, I naturally got excited as a child at a free "all you can eat" candy shop. :)

The film opens with Mark Twain (Val Kilmer) recounting a story to his grand-kids, and hence the adventure of Huck and Tom continue. In this installment of the much loved tale, Tom and Huck find themselves in a graveyard at midnight, and there they witness Injun Joe (Kaloian Vodenicharov) carry out a murder. Fearing for their own safety, Tom and Huck make a vow of secrecy to never tell a sole. However, that is easier said than done when Muff Potter is the scapegoat and framed for murder. The boys take it upon themselves to clear Potter's good name by any means necessary, even if it means putting themselves in the firing line if Injun Joe.

Needless to say, the boys get themselves into all kinds of misadventures in this film, and show that boys will be boys in a time when it was all cool to run around town with no shoes, and sleep out in the woods :)

A couple of memorable scenes is when Tom (Joel Courtney) has to paint the picket fence, then he easily cons a few other boys to paint it for him, for a price (nicely done Tom); And in a later scene, when he gets "engaged" to Becky (Katherine McNamara), then makes the reference of when he was engaged to another girl :) (Becky didn't take that too well)

The acting by Jake T. Austin (as Huck Finn), and Joel Courtney is wonderful in this adaptation of Mark Twain's novel.

I would have given this film a higher score, but I did feel that the casting choice for the role of Injun Joe was not as good as what it could have been, if they would have given the role to a native American to preserve the authenticity of the character.