Trooper and the Legend of the Golden Key

Homespun Humor And Amateur Theatrics Highlight This Likable Adventure Of A Boy And His Dogs
The live action feature "Trooper and The Legend of the Golden Key" is a low-budget and relatively amateurish effort that still has a number of charms to recommend it. In fact, it is this homemade quality that I found oddly appealing. Before I comment on the actual film, however, I might point out that the DVD cover artwork might lead you to believe this is an entirely different movie. Trooper is shown in a Sherlock Holmes style get-up in a creepy outdoor setting that made me envision the moors from "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Trooper, in truth, is not much of a sleuth on his own and the action is driven by the human characters in a small town environment. There is a quiet homespun humor and folksy whimsy that make "Trooper" a perfectly acceptable entertainment for the younger kids. With a spirited boy lead, a challenge to authority, and a couple of talking pooches (in voice-over internal monologue only, there are no special effects to speak of), it's hard to be too critical...

Trooper is delightful
This little family film is truly one you'll want to watch with your whole family. It's funny, touching and full of pleasant surprises. I happened to see it during a screening for a charity event, and the whole crowd just loved it. Clearly the film makers and the whole cast did their best to put together a sweet mystery that wouldn't bore the adults, and would delight the kids. Highly recommended.

Homespun Humor And Amateur Theatrics Highlight This Likable Adventure Of A Boy And His Dogs
The live action feature "Trooper and The Legend of the Golden Key" is a low-budget and relatively amateurish effort that still has a number of charms to recommend it. In fact, it is this homemade quality that I found oddly appealing. Before I comment on the actual film, however, I might point out that the DVD cover artwork might lead you to believe this is an entirely different movie. Trooper is shown in a Sherlock Holmes style get-up in a creepy outdoor setting that made me envision the moors from "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Trooper, in truth, is not much of a sleuth on his own and the action is driven by the human characters in a small town environment. There is a quiet homespun humor and folksy whimsy that make "Trooper" a perfectly acceptable entertainment for the younger kids. With a spirited boy lead, a challenge to authority, and a couple of talking pooches (in voice-over internal monologue only, there are no special effects to speak of), it's hard to be too critical...

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