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The Rocket

Play trailer Poster for The Rocket Released Jan 10, 2014 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Ahlo's family moves after his village is cleared to make way for a new dam. They come across a rocket festival and Ahlo takes the opportunity to build his own rocket and prove his worth.

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The Rocket

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Critics Consensus

A feel-good success crafted with care, Kim Mordaunt's story of two young kids in Laos is a heartfelt audience pleaser while remaining sensitive toward its subjects.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Over-produced and shamelessly manipulative, The Rocket employs a cringe-inducing score that cues every desired audience response, including unalloyed uplift at the end. Aug 28, 2019 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator [It's] a feel-good, triumph-over-adversity story involving a small boy and, although this outcome also isn't in any doubt, at least the journey is fascinating and it's been made with a heart that is warm. Sep 1, 2017 Full Review Erik McClanahan Minneapolis Star Tribune In some ways, it feels like a throwback to many '80s teen movies, where everything comes down to a competition at the end, and the hero will finally get the chance to prove his worth. Rated: 3/4 Mar 31, 2014 Full Review Andrew Heskins easternKicks.com Australian writer/director Kim Mordaunt brings a convincing tale of a young Laotian boy leading his family to a new home... Rated: 4/5 Sep 24, 2020 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com A unique locale and cinematically underexplored group of people serves an intriguing jumping point into a tale that's otherwise quite predictable, though enhanced by its ability to remain, simply, a tale of overcoming unfortunate circumstance. Rated: 3/5 Aug 29, 2019 Full Review Bernard Boo Way Too Indie A feel-good family film that evokes the winning dazzle of the best Disney pictures (the animated ones, especially), but without the patronizing sentimentality. Rated: 8/10 Apr 3, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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david l The Rocket has a very clichéd, overly inspirational and emotionally manipulative third act. The story and dialogue are overall not great. But the cinematography and acting are both quite good and the movie is quite adventurous and endearing in its first half. It offers a great look into this rarely seen region of the world and it's quite intriguing in that regard. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The best movie I've watched this year. It is a beautiful story and at times hard to watch but with a lovely ending and it is full of lovely characters. One of those examples of great child acting. Super recommend it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member A great movie with beautiful images and an interesting insight into the also culture. It is best to watch in also for maximum authenticity. I thoroughly enjoyed the new perspective on Laos' history and the people's attitude towards it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member After a tragic death in the family, a young boy's grandma finally has the excuse to blame him for everything. It's a struggle to defeat his own doubts as everyone else's. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A bit contrived but well done. Told a good story in a short time. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member "Feel-good" is not really the way I would describe this dramatic film of impoverished people in the far-off Eastern country of Laos. It's a film filled with hardships, loss and the desperation of simply wanting to belong. Yes, it was a very good film but the only real 'feel-good' moment comes from its finale. Overall, a solid film but far too heavy for what I would consider feel-good. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Rocket

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ahlo's family moves after his village is cleared to make way for a new dam. They come across a rocket festival and Ahlo takes the opportunity to build his own rocket and prove his worth.
Director
Kim Mordaunt
Producer
Sylvia Wilczynski
Screenwriter
Kim Mordaunt
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
Five Star Production
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Lao
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 10, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 30, 2015
Runtime
1h 36m
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