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Touches You

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Interesting idea for a movie: An out-of-this world science fair project being put to the test. However, there are too many events in the movie. There always has to be some kind of issue or dilemma every five-ten minutes, making the movie very tiring to watch. Solar cars are cool, but a full-length feature film about making one doesn't strike me as interesting. The main character cannot work with the rest of the team (annoying) and there is too much DRAMA. I have no doubt that other movies have been made about THE ULTIMATE COMPETITION or WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE TROPHY. Too many movies have used this kind of plot and there is nothing new. There are no interesting scientific facts either about electric cars that make the movie unique.The ending is predictable and the acting could use some work too.

For curious movie buffs, "Race the Sun" is a blend of "Breaking Away", "Walkabout", and "Summer School"; making it quite unique and considerably better than its rating. It's neither ambitious nor technically brilliant; in fact the cinematography somehow manages to NOT capture the inherent scenic beauty of a series of Hawaiian and Australian locations. But the casting and directing are solid and the story has so much charm that you don't mind it being corny and predictable. Halle Berry and James Belushi play teachers at a Hawaiian technical high school who reluctantly sponsor a team of students building a solar-powered car. "Race the Sun" was inspired by a group of Hawaiian students who actually entered the World Solar Challenge in 1980. The film would have been better if the cartoonish corporate villain had been replaced by some actual scientific explanations and a bit of background on the race itself. Speaking of cartoons, the solar cars look like something out of "Wacky Races" but there is no sign of Penelope Pitstop in this entertaining race.The school is in Hawaii, which makes for some interesting cultural details (as does the race's Austrialian setting), but for viewer identification purposes the settings could be anywhere.Thankfully the film avoids a couple of obvious traps. Berry and Belushi end up liking and respecting each other but there are no obligatory romantic sparks between them. Likewise for Casey Affleck and Elisha Dushku-who plays his step-sister.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

There is nothing terribly original here, although the specifics are rather original. This is just your typical under-dogs-prevail type of movie, but it's got some interesting twists and turns here and there.I'll admit, the main reason I wanted to see this film was for Halle Berry and Eliza Dushku. Both Halle and Eliza did a fine job with their roles, a good performance. James Belushi did a great job with his role, as usual. Casey Affleck did a pretty good job, no complaints there. Steve Zahn is usually a good actor and very funny, but his comedy is stripped to a minimum in this film and he presents a so-called German accent (quite annoying). In any case, it was cool to see him in the film anyway. The rest of the cast was ok, nothing spectacular, some good some bad.The bulk of the characters were done pretty well and were fairly interesting. Although, I have to say that I didn't like the characters of Marco (Dion Basco), Eduardo (Anthony Ruivivar), or Luana (Adriane Napualani Uganiza). They all just seemed very typical and contrived, also they were all unlikeable people, even at the end.If you're looking for a good family film, you could do worse. If you're a fan of any of the actors, then you may want to give this film a look. ...Or if you're just interested in seeing some of nice scenery in Austrailia, give this film a look. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the film, thanks for reading.-Chris

It's the old "loser-kids-whipped-into-shape-to-play-big-game" plot, though here it's even more tired and unimaginative than usual. The characters here are pretty much stock characters - they have no personality, and their actions and feelings change as the events in the screenplay dictate. Of course, the villain is clad in black, and is blonde and snarling. I can't think of a single reason to make watching this movie worthwhile.