The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (Blu-ray + Digital)

My son loves this movie. He kept requesting it so figured it was worth it to purchase it so he can watch whenever he wants. He's 6 with ADHD so it has to be very entertaining to keep his attention.

I ordered this movie to show to my 6yr old son, knowing that it was a hit and miss chance that he might enjoy it. He loved it. It was so fun to get to share a movie that I loved as a child with my own son.

This was on netflix for a long time and my grandson loved it. They took it off and he kept asking for it. Not my favorite but makes him very happy.

watched this movie a bajillion times as a kid. still just as good as i remember!

Age six to ten audiences usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to major feature films. Although technically films like "Elf" and "Toy Story" target this demographic, the marketing people insist that these productions incorporate adult elements and humor to expand the target audience and maximize attendance; these are called "family films" and the additional elements take much away from the identification experience that children most enjoy. The only escape from these multi-generational things are preschool stuff like "Clifford's Really Big Movie" and "Muppets from Space" which no one in the 6-10 group would admit to watching, let alone liking.Then along comes Robert Rodriguez with "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl", a film that gives 6-10 audiences exactly what they want without even the slightest attempt to appeal to older viewers (well maybe middle schoolers will get crushes on Sharkboy and Lavagirl). Since this is a new animal to most critics, it gets blasted for not being what they wanted it to be, a family film. And teenagers complain that it is not as good as "Spy Kids", a Rodriguez film that not only targeted a broader audience but which most of them watched several years ago when they were preteens. To be fair, while Rodriguez did not make "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" for 14 year olds who saw "Spy Kids" 4-5 years ago, the distributors did attempt to market it to those audiences-who are now angry about being misled although I think the trailer gives a pretty accurate representation of the film.So don't let the negative reviews and comments discourage anyone in the target audience from seeing this film. There are plenty of positive reviews and comments from critics who have a clue about Rodriguez's intentions and from the viewers in his target audience. There will be a lot of Sharkboys and Lavagirls out trick or treating this year and the film will become a classic to those who first see it at a young age.Which is not to say that only those in its target audience will enjoy the film, it is a fun children's tale that might be described as a cross between "The Wizard of Oz" and "Yellow Submarine". In one respect it is better because almost all the actors are kids; Rodriguez understands that a lot of adult characters in a children's film is a less than zero situation. And it has very good messages: emphasizing the value of dreams, how dreaming better (i.e. unselfishly) increases that value, and how working to make your dreams come true maximizes that value (the young hero's name is "Max"). Plus Sharkboy and Lavagirl are friends who demonstrate a willingness to risk their lives to save each other. It is entertaining just to watch kids (both girls and boys) get into it.Speaking of less than zero, the advantage of seeing this on DVD versus in a theater is having the option to watch in 2-D. The 3-D version subtracts instead of adding, as much of the brightness and life of the film are lost to the crude 3-D cardboard glasses process they used. The only useful thing about the 3-D (other than a mildly interesting visual effect for those who have never experienced it) is the interactive aspect; as signs flash on the screen telling when to put on and take off the polarizing glasses. The DVD contains both versions and the 2-D one is first rate.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Came fast and in good condition

Love this movie! Will buy it over and over.

Know how many times I’ve watched this movie? Toooo many. My kid loves it.

Great condition and good movie

Caratula rota, aplastada en una esquina.

I didn't take to Spy kids 3D as I have a lazy eye and so the 3D effects were literally a pain - I liked the film otherwise though. Fortunately the 3D effects in Shark boy and Lava Girl seemed far less annoying at the cinema and the fast moving film was great fun for my son (9) and I - mum and daughter didn't want to see it - they Nanny McFee'd instead. The film is essentially one long fantasy day dream sequence that merges with reality (and as its complete fiction anyway it hardly matters whether the action is 'real' or imagined). Although having a very similar feel, the storyline in this film is probably a bit stronger and more original than Spy Kids 3D - which was rather like TRON and Scooby Doo & the cyber chase (no bad thing actually). Shark boy's not unlike the 60's 'The Phantom Tollbooth' in a way or a 1980's Dr Who serial, but the special effects are naturally first rate.I must say that, although always visually startling and stylish, it does get a bit repetitive towards the end for adults, but my son really loves it and has happily re-watched the film a few times already (and that is rare with most of his DVDs). I suppose the plot is a bit childish (hardly surprising being written by one for others), but the early part of the film is really good, particularly the first few minutes recounting the genesis of sharkboy. Besides many movies these days have a "beat up the little vampires first and take out the big bad super vampire at the end' plot, so this is a tiny bit different - although it's still the cosmic battle between good and evil. I'm not going to give away any of the plot though.Despite the 3D glasses, overall I found the film very entertaining. Fortunately this DVD has both the 3D cinema version and the 2D normal version. In fact my son also prefers watching the 2D version on TV and he rarely goes for the 3D version unless it's with his mates and popcorn. You get a his (shark boy) and hers (lava girl) set of green/red 3D glasses included. So if you have a preteen boy about the place who missed this at the cinema, get this for him now - he'll thank you for it. So childish, but highly recommended.

Lo malo es que solo tiene audio en inglés y subtitulos en español (no hay idioma español latino ni castellano)

A friend lent us this film with a 'must watch' recommendation and my 4,6 and 8 year old absolutely loved it. We had to buy our own version in the end as after 2 weeks they still didn't want to give it back. It's up there in their favourite top 3 films ever. It's one of those films you'll watch time and time again and it's interesting enough for adults to sit through.It is visually stunning. The bright colours and action of the computer generated scenes are way different to anything I've seen before and the story of a young boy struggling with all the day to day problems associated with parents, school, bullies, teachers etc will hit a cord with any primary school age child.This 3D version comes with 2 pairs of pink glasses and 2 pairs of blue glasses. They are the standard flimsy cardboard type but in the film the boy hero gets to wear the pink ones too so my children loved joining in. In the 3D version you do not need to wear the glasses all the time. There are 'glasses on' and 'glasses off' messages on the screen. It is mainly in the fantasy scenes with Sharkboy and Lavagirl they need to be worn. The fantasy aspect of the film really utilises the 3D glasses. Lava rocks coming towards you etc.There normal film version without the 3D is also available on this disk and now the novelty of the glasses has worn off this is the version my childen watch most.The characters in this film are really cool and modern. In many ways this is like an ultra modern updated 'Never Ending Story' film. There is some clever dialogue and it is a superb riot of imagination let loose on the screen. If you are a daydreamer or have kids with fantastic imaginations buy this, you won't be disappointed.This is absolutely a must see film for children.