It's funny that the posters for Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker say, "Rule the School. Save the World." The irony? Never once do we see teen spy Alex (Alex Pettyfer) ruling his school. In fact, we hardly see him doing anything teen-related. He's shown sitting in class once. And he carries some textbooks. But unlike films like Agent Cody Banks and Spy Kids, the youthful flavor implied by the tagline is completely missing.

Without a teen zest, a youthful joy or themes specific to being a young spy, Stormbreaker isn't a teen spin on James Bond movie. It is a James Bond movie with a younger actor (and no sex). The character's age brings nothing new, fun or fresh to the character or the adventure.

Alex Pettyfer stars as Alex Rider

Alex Pettyfer stars as Alex Rider

In fact, the script—based on the best-selling Alex Rider book series by Anthony Horowitz (who wrote the screenplay)—could have literally been recycled from a Bond movie. The only changes are that the promiscuity is deleted and a new exposition is added to explain the young age of our hero. Alex was orphaned as a child and raised by his uncle Ian (played by Ewan McGregor in a blink-and-you'll-miss-him cameo). When tragedy strikes, Alex finds out that his uncle wasn't always absent because of any bank job—but because he worked for the government. Alex is then swept into the plot of an eccentric criminal mastermind—with ironically named henchmen, like Mr. Grin—who wants to take over the world with an absurdly over-the-top plan. Alex even has his own "M" and "Q" characters.

Had we seen more of Alex Rider getting to be a teen before getting into the thick of the "save the world" part, it would have felt more removed from the Bond milieu. The film would have had more life. And the peril, danger and Alex's accomplishments would have meant more. In fact, what's missing is Alex Rider, the person. At the end of the movie all we know about him is: 1) He was orphaned, 2) He has a crush on a girl, and 3) He's a great problem-solver and fighter.

The young spy even comes with a sneer

The young spy even comes with a sneer

Without portraying Alex as a teen first, the film drops any joy and excitement of seeing him discover a world beyond homework and study hall. There's just no sense of awe—and little real fun escapism. And it's not like there weren't open doors for scenes of joyous adventure. We hear about how Alex has enjoyed a childhood of great adventures with Uncle Ian (scuba diving, mountain climbing, martial arts, etc.)—but we never see them. There are some thrilling and slick action sequences, but when Alex does get to the derring-do, it's so serious that there's little joy in seeing him work and conquer.

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There was also an open door for a teen-specific theme that is left unrealized. The film's villain, Darrius Sayle (played to smug and sleazy perfection by Mickey Rourke) turns out to be scarred by his youth. In fact, his entire evil scheme is directly related to school-age abuse by other teens. Being picked on, ostracized and called names for years left Darrius bitter, angry and scornful to the point of wanting to harm innocent people. In a current climate of bullied teens lashing out in acts of violence, this theme is ripe for discussion—and cleverly brought up. But then it's dropped. If we had a better understanding of Alex as a student, this theme could have been more resonant. Maybe Alex also has been picked on and could relate to Darrius—but he'd know that feeling pain is no excuse for causing it. Or if Alex had been a bully, Darrius' example could have shown Alex the error of his ways and lead to some repentance. Instead, Alex says, "So what? You were bullied. A lot of people are bullied"—and then the film goes back to the standard Bond plot. When Alex later expresses a desire to get revenge on a man who caused him pain, you wonder if he's really any different than Darrius. But the film doesn't seem to notice this contradiction.

Our hero and his girl (played by Sarah Bolger)

Our hero and his girl (played by Sarah Bolger)

Operation Stormbreaker is a good change of pace from 007—and even Agent Cody Banks—because there aren't sexual themes. Alex has a crush on a girl (the stand-out child actress, Sarah Bolger, from In America) but this subplot is handled minimally and sweetly. However, there is a great deal of action violence. There's no blood, but characters die and 14-year-old Alex uses firearms. There's also an odd female-on-female fight scene that is played up for laughs. This scene is so oddly cartoonish and over-the-top that it downplays the reality of violence by giving the impression that it's comical and goofy.

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.

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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.

Talk About It

  Discussion starters
  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?


The Family Corner

For parents to consider

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.


What Other Critics Are Saying
compiled by Jeffrey Overstreet

from Film Forum, 10/19/06

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."

Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker
Our Rating
1½ Stars - Weak
Average Rating
 
(12 user ratings)ADD YOURSHelp
Mpaa Rating
PG (for sequences of action violence and some peril)
Directed By
Geoffrey Sax
Run Time
1 hour 33 minutes
Cast
Alex Pettyfer, Mickey Rourke, Sophie Okonedo
Theatre Release
October 13, 2006 by Weinstein Company
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