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There are times in all of our lives that are more challenging than others—when everything seems difficult and painful. And during one of those difficult times, a young boy in the family fantasy The Secret Kingdom finds himself sent to an underground world to take on a merciless enemy.
The Secret Kingdom begins as 12-year-old Peter (Sam Everingham) moves into an old house with his family. They’re clearly going through a difficult time, but it doesn’t seem to faze Peter’s nine-year-old sister, Verity (Alyla Browne), who’s full of energy and excitement. That night, Verity and Peter fall through a crack in Peter’s bedroom floor into The Land Below. They’re rescued by an army of pangolin who are convinced that Peter is the king who will bring peace to their land. But first he’ll have to go on a mission to defeat the mysterious enemy known as The Shroud.
As Peter and Verity find themselves venturing into The Land Below on a quest to bring peace to the land, they meet magical creatures of all shapes and sizes. Some are there to help, while others are there to make their quest even more difficult. But no matter what they encounter, these children—and especially anxious, uncertain Peter—must learn to face their fears, believe in themselves, and be brave.
The film is a classic kind of family fantasy, with all of the elements that you’d expect: an unlikely young hero, a bunch of talking creatures, an important mission, and just the right amount of magic. But instead of a lengthy epic adventure, it’s short and action-packed and to-the-point. It doesn’t wander off on long side missions or linger in one place for very long. It may have been able to develop the story and the adventures a little more without starting to drag, but it doesn’t take that risk. Instead, after a brief set-up, it dives into the adventure, keeping everything moving along right until its quick and exciting—and surprisingly dramatic—conclusion. It’s all well made and entertaining—a thrilling adventure that will easily keep kids (and maybe even grown-ups, too) on the edge of their seat.
If your kids enjoy fantasies like the Narnia or Harry Potter series, they’ll enjoy following Peter and Verity into The Secret Kingdom. It’s a perilous adventure with characters that kids will relate to—and plenty of action to keep them engaged.
Join these siblings on their journey when The Secret Kingdom arrives in theaters and on demand on June 9, 2023.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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