“Sleepover” (MGM)
Alexa Vega of “Spy Kids” fame stars in the sweet comedy “Sleepover.” The film focuses on the lives and adventures of several recent junior high graduates, and should appeal to seven through twelve year old girls. Others in the audience might find it just a bit too syrupy and too predictable to be enjoyable.
Julie (Vega) is thrilled that her junior high school career is coming to an end. Still her happiness is lessened by the fact her best friend Hannah (Mika Boorem) is moving away. She is also worried about how popular she will be once she gets to high school. Her crowd has not been the most popular in junior high.
To celebrate graduation Julie throws a sleepover at her house. She invites Hannah, Farrah (Scout Taylor-Compton) and Yancy (Kallie Flynn Childress). Her once best friend Staci (Sara Paxton) was invited but declined so she could be with her more popular friends.
Julie’s parents (Jane Lynch and Jeff Garlin) are pleased that Julie’s friends are coming over, but her mother lays down some strict rules before leaving to go to a club with some of her friends. Julie’s father is busy installing a water purification appliance.
Staci drops by to challenge Julie and her friends to a scavenger hunt. They accept and the fun is on. One of the items on the list is Steve’s (Sean Faris) boxer shorts. Steve is a high school student and Julie has had a crush on him for ages. He doesn’t know she exists.
All of the adventures that take place are very clean and parents of smaller children can relax and let their kids watch this one with ease. It is rated PG for some of the antics but it is a mild rating and the action is too.
Vega is turning into a very pretty young woman. She actually looks the right age for her character and that adds to the enjoyment of the film. Jane Lynch is okay as her mother and Steve Carell has some funny moments as a security service employee.
The movie is totally predicable from start to finish but that shouldn’t matter to the 7 – 12 year old audience for which it is aimed. Parents who accompany their children won’t be totally bored though it does get a little slow in parts.
It is actually refreshing to find a film that is aimed at the pre-teen audience that doesn’t try to spice it up to have broader appeal. It limits its earning potential but it does serve those for whom it was aimed.
I scored “Sleepover” a drowsy 4 out of 10.
