Netflix's Finding 'Ohana Review

The latest game news from IGN - one of my fave channels ever - check it out Finding 'Ohana is now streaming exclusively on Netflix. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Hey, you GUUUUUYS! If you love The Goonies, you'll relish in the rollicking adventure of Netflix's Finding 'Ohana. The concept of a quirky kid crew questing for long-lost pirate's treasure is given a fresh spin against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu. However, the savvy and sentimental script by Christina Strain begins this journey in the urban jungle of Brooklyn, New York. There, 12-year-old Pilialoha “Pili” Kawena (Kea Peahu) is a streetwise geocache champion, racing down sidewalks, cracking clues, and finding hidden prizes. Then, her plans for this kind of summer fun seem derailed when a family emergency pulls her back to the rural Hawaiian community where she was born. Neither Pili nor her teen brother Ioane (Alex Aiono) is stoked for this island getaway. Their grandfather's battered bungalow doesn't even have Wi-Fi! Cut off from the world they know (and the world wide web), Ioane turns his attentions to flirting with a beautiful local named Hana (Lindsay Watson), while Pili peruses a curious journal for clues to a lost treasure trove. With the help of her new friend Casper (Owen Vaccaro), she'll set off on a quest that will change her life and family ('ohana) forever. The path of such kiddie adventures is so well worn that Strain's script wastes no time on its first act. A spirited geocache chase plows into the Kawena clan landing in O‘ahu. Within moments of meeting her gruff but lovable Papa (Branscombe Richmond), Pili has already found the journal that will light her way to trials, tribulation, and treasure. Hot on the heels of this discovery, she crashes into Casper, a friendly redhead who -- perhaps in a nod to screenwriting conventions -- is literally saving a cat. Basically, Strain is well aware she's not reinventing the wheel here. But if it ain't broke, why bother? [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/netflixs-finding-ohana-official-clip"] Likewise, the characters are forged from familiar stock. Pili is a spirited tomboy in the tradition of Punky Brewster or Pippi Longstocking. She's fearless and quick to action, whether feuding with her brother or leaping across a river of lava. Casper is a consummate sidekick, supportive with info on the island's creatures and culture as well as his eternal earnestness. Ioane (nicknamed "E") struts in as the softly sexist older brother, who initially mangles his wooing of Hana with brogressive swagger. (Think Sokka in Season 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender.) He's a loyal and protective older brother, but also a bit of a lunkhead when it comes to seeing women -- including his sister, mother, and crush -- beyond his own desires and obligations. No-nonsense yet genial, Hana proves not just his love interest, but also his foil, reflecting how he can bond with his sibling without all the bravado. Then for good measure, there's a dash of artistic ambition slathered on her to drive home she's smart and sensitive. Having swiftly established its core crew and their interpersonal conflicts, Finding 'Ohana gleefully chucks them into a mountain full of winding tunnels, collapsing caves, venomous critters, and an unnerving trail of sailor skeletons. Instead of stodgy flashbacks of the pirates' passage, the film takes a clever cue from Ant-Man (or arguably Drunk History). The kids recount the story from the journal to each other, putting in the mouths of these bygone buccaneers with modern slang like, "That's lit!" and "Oh dip!" Bringing to life these colorful scenes are two consummate character actors: Chris Parnell and Marc Evan Jackson. Though buried under eye-patches and wonky wigs, the comedic skills honed across storied sitcom work still shine, making these funky flashbacks a string of dazzlingly funny gems. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=female-treasure-hunters&captions=true"] As director Jude Weng came from television, it's perhaps no surprise that the film's comedy beats have a solidly entertaining rhythm. More impressive is how Weng churns thrills in a cavalcade of action sequences, where the peril is exciting but the shadow of death never overbearing. Following in the footsteps of Indiana Jones (who is repeatedly name-checked), Pili and her crew spelunk, scuttle, scramble, and sing-along to get through each new challenge together. Of course, they will discover the true treasure is the bonds they forged along the way. Yet anticipating their destination doesn't detract from the joy, in part because the cast is warmly winsome. Supporting this emotional undercurrent is the B-plot, in which Pili's mom and Papa mend the relationship that took a hit when she fled the island because of a tragedy she's still getting over. As the kids journey through a mountain, the grown-ups trek through their psychological trauma to rediscover each other. This thread is a bit thin, but in a kid's movie, any more would feel out of place. After all, this isn't a tearjerker but an adventure! Peahu proves its sturdy leader, confidently shouldering a broad yet charming performance style that hits somewhere between Disney Channel sitcom and E.T. intensity. Her supporting cast follows this tone, making for a movie that's bouncy and fun even when dealing with death, regret, and letting go. Into a familiar mold, Strain and Weng happily pack elements of Hawaiian culture, including language, community pride, Spam cuisine, and the legend of the Night Marchers. These details are more than superficial set dressing. They are an invitation to the fish-out-of-water siblings to reconnect to their heritage and its wonders, and through their journey, we are invited to share in both. All of this leads to a final act that is a bit leggy, stuffing in payoffs emotional, mythical, and thematic. Still, the cast and the enchanting world of Finding 'Ohana makes this detour feel more like the scenic route. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-february-2021&captions=true"]

from IGN Reviews https://ift.tt/3ahDRrd
This could be a real lead forward for personal gaming... Revolutionise gaming