Star Kid MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +1

The stuff most young boys would only fantasize about - discovering a UFO landing in a vacant lot and a computer-controlled alien beckoning - happens to 12-year-old Spence (Joe Mazzello). He needs something to lift his self-esteem. His mom died two years ago, his Dad is too busy to spend time with Spencer, and his teenage sister can't stand her little brother. To make matters worse, at school Spence is the target of the school bully. Spence's only friend seems to be his science teacher. So one night as Spence is star-gazing through his telescope, a sudden brilliant light shoots across the sky and sinks into a nearby junkyard. Spence runs over to it just as a frightening alien from space rises from the heap. The strange "critter" finally makes Spence understand he needs a host to operate his combat enhancer. Spence climbs into a hidden compartment inside the alien, starts punching buttons and pulling switches and soon the oddest couple ever created embark on an amazing adventure. Computer game players, sci-fi enthusiasts and imaginative kids between 7 and 14 will particularly enjoy this action-filled adventure.

Star Kid will frighten young children because of some intense action when an enemy alien is catapulted to earth to destroy Spence's new-found friendly alien. Also, miscommunication results in some severe property damage to Spence's house as the alien-robot he is piloting literally tears it up and later terrorizes the school bully who regularly torments Spence. However, Spence learns many lessons about fear and self-confidence. In the classroom his science teacher coaxes him to handle a huge tarantula spider while teaching him not to run away from things he's afraid of. Spence's dad and sister also must face their fear that Spence has been abducted and realize how important he is to both of them. A very funny but rather crude scene takes place when Spence expresses a desperate need to use the bathroom. He can't release himself from the hidden compartment and directs the robot to his teacher's house for help. Some profanities and crude expressions, plus slang words for excretion, are disappointing, but no s-words or f-words are spoken. The positive messages about facing problems, the importance of family and respect for others outweigh the relatively sparse foul language.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Trimark Pictures