For starters, I enjoyed this movie. Young Timmy's insistence on his fantasy reminded me a little of Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes), and his imaginative misconceptions were entertaining. He was a one-trick pony to be sure, completely obsessed with the caricature of a noir style private eye, even to the point of delving into some more James Bond-ian interpretations. Winslow Fegley was a perfect casting for the part. His constant scowl and cool reaction mixed well with his childlike misinterpretation of events.
What intrigued me most was what I would call an unexpected ending. Anyone who has been paying attention lately would know that Disney sure loves to lecture people with social justice messages. Whatever the latest politically correct, feel-good fad is, you can bet Disney is making movies to preach it. We've been served a fair portion of feminist-communist androids (L3-37), misandric sorceresses (Maleficent), stereotype breaking princesses (Elsa and Anna), and transgender princesses (Alexis from Alex Is). But the most common lecture from our benevolent Disney Overlords is the "accept yourself because you're special" message, which is probably the oldest Disney message, and which comes into play here.
Our little hero is clearly misguided and is in need of some help. On the verge of middle school, little Timmy is not going to be a child much longer. At this point in his life he should be old enough to leave behind reality-distorting fantasies and imaginary father-replacing friends. For a time it seemed that this was the direction he was traveling, towards reality. He finally makes a break-through, coming to grips with the cold truth of the world and, granted, he found it a little boring and was unhappy with it. But then, with a little support from a father-figure school counselor and an ingratiating, friendly adult, he plunges straight back into his obsession with renewed vigor. And there the story ends.
Frankly, I don't think this is healthy ending at all, although it was entertaining. But if Disney is hoping to make yet another, "you should accept everyone who is different for any reason" message with this film, I feel that they overstepped hugely. In reality, a kid like little Timmy would need therapy, immediately, and support from people who want him to grasp reality. I hope we all see that.
What intrigued me most was what I would call an unexpected ending. Anyone who has been paying attention lately would know that Disney sure loves to lecture people with social justice messages. Whatever the latest politically correct, feel-good fad is, you can bet Disney is making movies to preach it. We've been served a fair portion of feminist-communist androids (L3-37), misandric sorceresses (Maleficent), stereotype breaking princesses (Elsa and Anna), and transgender princesses (Alexis from Alex Is). But the most common lecture from our benevolent Disney Overlords is the "accept yourself because you're special" message, which is probably the oldest Disney message, and which comes into play here.
Our little hero is clearly misguided and is in need of some help. On the verge of middle school, little Timmy is not going to be a child much longer. At this point in his life he should be old enough to leave behind reality-distorting fantasies and imaginary father-replacing friends. For a time it seemed that this was the direction he was traveling, towards reality. He finally makes a break-through, coming to grips with the cold truth of the world and, granted, he found it a little boring and was unhappy with it. But then, with a little support from a father-figure school counselor and an ingratiating, friendly adult, he plunges straight back into his obsession with renewed vigor. And there the story ends.
Frankly, I don't think this is healthy ending at all, although it was entertaining. But if Disney is hoping to make yet another, "you should accept everyone who is different for any reason" message with this film, I feel that they overstepped hugely. In reality, a kid like little Timmy would need therapy, immediately, and support from people who want him to grasp reality. I hope we all see that.