There is a big tie-in this film between astrology and geometry. Though it has a much happier ending than the short story, the ending doesn't feel forced. The effects were amazing all the way through the movie, especially in the climax. Even when you expect something to happen it still takes you by surprise. This may be because most of the time the concentration of the film is on the children. At times they are a bit over the top and often their reactions are unbelievable. The parentsare the weakest characters in the film, unfortunately. The Homeland Security agent, Nathanial Broadman (Michael Clarke Duncan, The Green Mile, Armageddon) is an interesting addition to the cast. This character was interesting and entertaining and thankfully NOTHING like his character in The Office. White (Rainn Wilson, The Office) was amazing. There are a few notable performances aside from the children. With their growing powers, Emma and Noah build a bridge between the past and the future to heal a troubled time. When a city-wide blackout occurs, the NSA steps in believing it to be a terrorist attack, though it is discovered that Noah and Emma are to blame. White and his fiance (Kathryn Hahn, Anchorman).
Soon the children begin developing super-powers and this frightens the parents forcing them to seek help in an unexpected place. We see the communication through the children's expressions and the little girl's chatter. Mimzy and the other objects seem to communicate with the children, but we as the audience never can actually understand it ourselves. We follow the children through their discovery of the objects and what it is those objects are teaching them. Both Rhiannon and Chris O'neil show exceptional talent playing completely believable characters. She is precocious and her facial acting is unparalleled by any child actor I have ever seen. Rhiannon Leigh Wryn (Emma) is a fantastic young actress. Emma finds the other items, one of them being a rabbit. The box is still their little secret and soon it begins to reveal other items. Mom mistakes it for a paperweight because it doesn't react the same way in her hands as it had for the children. The children decide to keep their discovery secret, but their mother enters the room as they are playing with one of the objects. This scene has some excellent camera shots, with the opening of the box and the children's reactions to its contents. Noah and Emma run to the beach to play and that is where they discover a mysterious box filled with "toys". The mother (Joely Richardson), sister Emma (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn) and Noah head off to the island without him. The family goes on vacation to Whidbey Island (more stunning scenery), without the father who is too busy to make it. He seems to feel neglected by his overworking father (Timothy Hutton) who tries to give him a pep talk. He is frustrated with school and his difficulties at home. The focus is initially on the small boy Noah (Chris O'Neil). The film takes place in Seattle, lending to beautiful scenery and excellent opportunities for spectacular story telling. The credits roll and we are brought immediately into "present time". They all can see the story in their minds. A woman (presumably their teacher) calls all the children and begins to tell them a story. The story opens with a beautiful field filled with colorful flowers and children running and playing. and as both the short story and the film demonstrate. It seems that some people have tried to make sense of it. I fell in love with the "Jabberwocky" for it's seeming nonsensical nature. Like many people of my generation (and even further back) I grew up on the writings of Lewis Carroll. Starring: Joely Richardson, Rainn Wilson, Timothy Hutton, Chris O'Neil, Rhiannon Leigh Wryn and Michael Clark DuncanĪh, it takes me back to my childhood to hear those words aloud. Writer(s): Bruce Joel Rubin and Toby Emmerich (screen play) The Thunder Child Science Fiction and Fantasy The Thunder Child: Movie Review: The Last Mimzy