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This isn't the only time that the films' tone is problematic. Throughout the movie, Stormbreaker jarringly shifts back-and-forth from real-world believability to Bond-esque suspense-of-disbelief to Boris-and-Natasha goofiness. It's as if every actor was told the film was of a different genre. In fact, it's hard to tell what some actors (especially Bill Nighy as the head of the spy agency and Missi Pyle as a henchman) were going for. Other performances, like those of Bolger, McGregor and Alicia Silverstone as Alex's nanny, are wasted. For instance, Silverstone seems to be on the edge of a really interesting character—but then given nothing to do. Only Rourke is given a chance to really shine and does anything with it.

Other Alex Rider movies will be made. Hopefully they will take the freedom to leave the formulaic world of Bond, find a steady tone and show Alex as both a spy and a boy.

1. What makes Alex a good spy? What knowledge and abilities are required to be a spy
2. At the end, Alex expresses a desire to seek revenge on a character for the tragedy that brought him into spy-hood. Do you think that Alex is right in wanting to seek revenge on this person? Why or why not? Is it any different than Darrius wanting revenge? How
3. The man who Alex wants to strike back at says he was only doing his job—and has no beef with Alex. Does that make what he did okay? Is revenge ever right? What does Jesus say about this
4. Darrius was bullied as a kid and wants to get revenge on those who hurt him. Why do we want to release our pain by hurting others? How have you seen this happen? How can pain be vented or released in a healthy way?

Alex Rider is rated PG for sequences of action violence and some peril. The action includes minors being in peril, hand-to-hand fighting, gunfights, and explosions. There's no blood, but a 14-year-old uses guns. There are some fights (and kicks to the crotch) played up for laughs.

Photos © Copyright Weinstein Company

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The commercials are telling us that the new James Bond movie stars Daniel Craig as the new Bond.

But according to critics, despite its adolescent star, Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker is basically a Bond movie minus the sleaze. That'll sound like a good thing to moviegoing families. Having Ewan McGregor involved won't hurt it either, even if he's only in the movie for a moment.

But Alex Rider is missing more than just the Bond girls. According to critics, it also lacks originality … and fun.

David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) says the film is "a step up from the similarly themed Agent Cody Banks movies, but it's still lightweight stuff with its slim plot padded with chases and explosions."

Mainstream critics are calling it "lame and disappointing."

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