Who Is Simon Miller? (2011) Reviews

• Exciting family film

  vchimpanzee2011-08-09

  At the start of this Wal-Mart Procter & Gamble family movie, a chase is taking place through the streets of Paris. First it is a car chase, but then there is a traffic jam and the perp takes off on foot, later stealing a motorcycle. Simon Miller casually answers his cell phone and talks to his wife Meredith as he tries to hold on to that speeding motorcycle, pretending everything is normal. 18-year-old Sarah has been accused of cheating on an AP calculus test. She is taking a lot of AP courses, and she is on the gymnastics team. She knows French and Spanish. Could she be doing too much? Well, the important thing is the accusation of cheating, which means her parents will have to come to school for a conference. That's not the news Meredith wants to tell her husband as he returns from an oil well crisis in Louisiana. At least that's where she thinks he went. And no sooner does Simon return home than he gets a call about a coal mine in West Virginia. He has to leave again, and he still doesn't know he has to meet with Sarah's teacher. Actually, the crisis involves a scientist named Malenkov and his young daughter. They are in Prague, but Simon needs to get them to the United States. What he doesn't know is that one person has already died in the effort. And when he returns to Europe, Jasmine drugs him and takes him prisoner. Supposedly, Jasmine is on his side. But someone in the organization is a traitor. We don't know yet what Simon does, but Pamela, who works at the secret headquarters, is very concerned. An operative on a top-secret mission is missing. Kevin, Sarah's younger brother, is a video game geek. He doesn't seem geeky, though. He accidentally discovers a secret drawer containing numerous clues as to Simon's true identity. Following these clues, Meredith and the kids eventually end up in Paris, where Amanda picks them up and tells them the truth about who Simon is. I mentioned someone has already died trying to rescue the Malenkovs. Well, others could die. The entire Miller family is in danger. But these bright kids, and even their mother, make crucial contributions to the rescue of Simon and the Malenkovs. This is an entertaining family film. It starts out with a lot of comedy but becomes more serious over time, though comedy remains a part of the film right to the end. This time, the connection to Wal-Mart and its products is not quite as obvious, though the advantages of Sierra Mist are mentioned. Everyone gives a good performance. The kids are very intelligent and resourceful and determined. For teens this is a valuable opportunity to see how people their age can make a difference, although it's not that realistic. Kevin is a genius. The European settings are beautiful. I don't know whether any of it is really Europe when the stars are actually seen, but it seems real enough. The film wouldn't have needed to have violence, but there is just enough to make the film somewhat realistic. And it's not the cartoon kind, either. Still, most of the film is appropriate for family viewing. The threats aren't all that serious. The violence isn't too graphic, though there is a little blood here and there. I had a good time.

• Sponsored by ... Nobody

  westsideschl2012-06-12

  Negatives First: (1.) A made for TV movie with actors loaded with "TV series" in their resumé credits. Consequently, physical appearance rules with lots of rote memorization and turn taking read-a-line and smile style acting. (2.) Not only made for TV but funded by Wal Mart (mega stomper of small family business) and Procter & Gamble (you're only valuable if your'e whitely clean) with additional funding from Conagra (frozen fast foods) Pepsico (unhealthy junk food) Microsoft (bland conformity). In other words a very boring commercial script that families with an 11 year old will love. Problem there is that the story wouldn't be comprehensible to them. (3.) Formula storyline of dad who has a secret life of chasing spies or whatever while family thinks he's a petroleum geologist. Stereotypic family of nerdy teen son (who else to figure out computer code); angry teen daughter for emotional coloring; gruff agency boss; Russian or whatever bad guys. We are told repeatedly that the kids take lots of AP classes. Are we promoting how smart they are or is it white middle class bragging. (4.) Usual Hollywood script writers fake intelligence speak with lines like Clandestine Activities Division (CAD); Covert Intelligence Operative (CIO). CAD headquarters is shown as the usual lots of computer monitors with HUD reticles as the cool visual but looks so dated. (5.) The only action scene occurs in the beginning with our dad-agent chasing someone performs two somersault rolls for no reason then jumps on the back of bad guy riding a motor bike all while talking to his wife on his cell phone. Another key scene (15 seconds is all this took) is when his teen son breaks a computer password by figuring out that if he adds two specific family birthdates together then divides by another certain family birthdate then that is the password. Unbelievable as well as dumb. (6.) Predictable; family rescues dad and bad guys get caught. No one dies or gets hurt - too dirty. Mostly cheap location shots if you like a couple of rooms and a couple of streets with shops as backdrop. Positive: This conditioned consumer is heading off to Wal Mart to buy a P&G; a frozen dinner and a Pepsi.