Amazon Original "Troop Zero" is a feel-good family movie that audiences will love, even if they reach far to send a message across in the end.
Christmas Flint (Mckenna Grace) loves space and dreams of life beyond the stars, an obsession that's attached to her late mother's memory. Though extremely sweet, she is a misfit and a bed-wetting laughing stock of the other kids in 1977 Wiggly, Georgia. At least she's close to her father (Jim Gaffigan), a struggling lawyer on a losing streak, and his assistant Miss Rayleen (Viola Davis).
One day she finds out that the winning Birdie Scout Jamboree troop will be recorded on one of NASA's Golden Records (which really existed in history) to contact life in outer space. Without a troop, she recruits other misfits like her best friend Joseph (Charlie Shotwell), a feminine boy with a knack for style, Hell-No (Milan Ray), a bully who got the nickname for her favorite phrase, Smash (Johanna Colón), a big girl who loves to destroy things, and Anne-Claire (Bella Higginbotham), a devout shy girl with one eye.
As the troop learns to love each other along the way, the only obstacle standing in their way is rival scout leader Miss Massey (Allison Janney).
Troop Zero - Official Trailer | Prime Videoyoutu.be
Director Bert & Bertie leads a solid ensemble cast with some up-and-coming stars and seasoned acting veterans. The kids are adorable and the heart of the film, though they fit an exhausted misfit trope. But it's really Davis who steals the show when she's on camera with her character's robust Southern motherly personality.
The film's script from writer Lucy Alibar ("Beasts of the Southern Wild") is charming. They honestly gave Davis most of the memorable lines like, "Welcome to life, sugar boo," after Christmas says she needs something from her. But truly each of the characters have memorable punch lines throughout the film, and it makes viewers care about them.
Though the movie is heart-warming, it still feels like something is missing to make it stand out more. Maybe some more supporting emotional depth from characters like Miss Massey, who comes off as purely rude and suddenly changes personalities following an arguably gross ending. Janney did a good job working with what she had, but she plays her usual dry, uptight characters.
Overall, "Troop Zero" is successful in inspiring young children like these Birdie Scouts to have big dreams, do everything they can to achieve them and find a loving support system on the journey.
Score: 7 out of 10 stars.
Watch Amazon Original "Troop Zero" on Amazon Prime Video starting January 17.
Follow Samantha Incorvaia on Twitter at @_SamI520.