I read an article that the mainstream movie market is focusing on blockbusters mostly and not really making low budget light fun movies anymore, and that Netflix has identified this niche and is trying to cater to it. One of the examples was this movie, so I tried it.
It was exactly what was written on the tin: coming of age, fantasy, light comedy and romance, monsters, personal challenges, etc. It wasn't trying to be great, just good, and that's respectable. I made it all the way through without even reaching for the remote (on first offense I reach for the remote, on second offense I'll start pressing buttons).
If movie theater tickets and concessions weren't so over-priced, this would be a great summer movie, so it makes a fine at-home movie. It's quite forgettable, but its got enough personality to carry you through some couch time.
My only take-away was questioning if this was set in an alternate timeline, which was evinced from two data points: cell phone technology was from the late 90s/early 00s, and a character mentions the event 7-11 (instead of 9-11). Maybe the movie time was supposed to be set at the turn of the millennium, but why bother doing so, it never plays into the story. And the different 9-11 date might have been just a joke at a silly character's expense, not an actual world difference. That and they go to great lengths to show one of the characters is a (Girl) Scout but it doesn't become part of the story in any way (unless there's merit badge for driving stick).
I really enjoyed the ending montage (getting knighted, in concert, etc); nice way to say we're all in on the joke together.
