Holes (2003)

Number Rolled: 74

Movie Name/Year: Holes (2003)

Genre: Comedy

Length: 117 minutes

Rating: PG

Director: Andrew Davis

Writer: Louis Sachar

Actors: Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Shia LaBeouf, Dule Hill, Jake M. Smith, Byron Cotton, Khleo Thomas, Brenden Jefferson, Miguel Castro, Max Kasch, Noah Poletiek, Zane Holtz, Steven Kozlowski, Siobhan Fallon, Henry Winkler, Nathan Davis, Rick Fox, Nicole Pulliam, Michael Cavanaugh, Eartha Kitt, Damien Luvara, Patricia Arquette, Scott Plank, Allan Kolman, Louis Sachar, Eric Pierpoint, Allison Smith

Stanley Yelnats IV was not a criminal. Of course, once the courts convicted him for stealing Sweet Feet’s shoes from a homeless shelter charity drive, he was never able to convince anyone of that fact. As punishment, he was sent to a juvenile work camp where he was sentenced to spend his time digging holes.

I have not read the book, but I think I’ve seen the movie about a hundred times. I was beyond happy to see it come onto Netflix. One of the things that impresses me about “Holes” is that the screenplay was solely credited to the same person who wrote the book. I have to imagine that means that it either deviates very little from the novel or that the author was able to allow deviation that did not take away from what he envisioned when writing it. From my experience, it’s rare for there to be no other names on the screenplay credits.

It was a few years back, maybe 2005, when I first saw this movie. It’s one of those films I, personally, could watch over and over again without ever getting bored of it. I think the actors did wonderfully, the script was imaginative and I even liked the way the soundtrack fits.

Though it’s labeled as a children & family movie, don’t let that dissuade you from watching it if you don’t happen to have kids. Personally, I think the story is something that targets many people of many different ages without actually being specifically geared toward a certain age group. I’m also not fond of the comedy genre it’s labeled with. I’d most likely go with drama if anyone asked me. However, I do have trouble accepting the “poisonous lizard” idea that was utilized in “Holes”. Watching people run away from painted bearded dragons does point to comedy a bit, at least for me.

It was a great Disney movie. I believe it stands up to a lot of their live-action classics.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 4.3/5

Overall Opinion – 4.5/5

P.S. Based on a book of the same name by Louis Sachar

P.P.S. There was a short scene after the English credits followed by some Spanish credits.

Movie Trailer: