Director Richard Donner has had quite the varied career, opting to helm both big budget pictures like “Superman” and “Lethal Death”, as well as smaller, more personal films. A favorite of mine that pretty much fell off the radar almost as quickly as it was released is the little heard of “Radio Flyer.” The film starred Elijah Wood back during his child star phase. Even then, it was easy to see the incredible amount of talent he had, running circle around every other child actor of the day. I still remember him acting circles around Macauley what’s-his-name in “The Good Son.” The film centered around two young brothers (Elijah Wood and Joseph Mazzello, both of whom have a very active imagination. It recounts a time in their lives when they had to deal with some of the real monsters in the world, the worst being the extremely mean-tempered stepfather (Adam Baldwin) that had become a part of their Mother’s (Lorraine Bracco) life. Feeling they have no other out, they plot to escape in a very unconventional manner.

The story is told as a flashback by one of the brothers, played by an uncreated Tom Hanks. It is a very familiar story of abuse, but told from the perspective of the children. Part of what I think turned people off of the movie is that it starts of grounded in real life, but as the plot comes to head begins to head off into what almost seems like an escapist fantasy. Watching it, it sometimes becomes hard to distinguish what direction the writers intended to go. I, on the other hand, felt that I had it figured out so I loved the movie.

To me, the story was being told from a combination of two perspectives. That of the memories of the adult has of his childhood as well as that of the child himself. It was the story he chose to remember based on a very imaginative child’s viewpoint. Was the ending real? More than likely not, but there is so much you can read into it if you watch it from your own ‘child’s eye.’ Another reason I think it didn’t do well was that it was marketed wrong. The original trailers made it seem like a kid’s movie, when it was anything but. By and large it was a message movie, but the message was directed at adults.

Sony / Columbia Tristar is releasing this gem of a film onto DVD this week and I couldn’t be more pleased. Well, I guess I would be if there were some extra features available. Unfortunately, there are no interviews or featurettes.

In spite of this, I still recommend “Radio Flyer”, if not as a purchase at least as a rental.

Directed by: Richard Donner
Starring: Lorraine Bracco, John Herd, Elijah Wood, Joseph Mazzello, Adam Baldwin
Extras: None
Specifications: Widescreen (2.35:1), Dolby Surround
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 10/12/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Website

We'll give Radio Flyer a B.