Diggin' Up Dirt
What do you get when you mix a herd of juvenile delinquents with a crooked
staff of detention camp leaders? Well, for one, two hours of excitement,
laughter, and delight. Based on the novel of the same title by author Louis
Sachar, ‘Holes' contains the perfect mixture of comedy, drama, mystery,
adventure and is one of those movies that actually appeals to all ages.
The story is based on a young boy, Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), who is
sent away to Camp Green Lake (a detention camp for young boys) for a crime in
which he did not commit. The camp is run by a core staff of three members
including the warden (Sigourney Weaver), the camp doctor (Tim Blake Nelson), and
the overseer ( Jon Voight). These three are not in the business for the welfare
of these young boys, rather are in it for their own personal desires.
Camp Green Lake is actually a dried-up Texas lakebed containing years of
history. It never rains and the temperatures can be somewhat unbearable for the
boys. Each day the boys must dig one hole measuring five feet in depth and
width. The staff at Camp Green Lake informs the boys that in digging these
holes, they are ‘building character.' However, there seems to be another motive
at hand.
This Newbery-winning novel turned movie is truly a treat for all to see. If
you liked the book, you are sure to love the movie. After all, the author of the
novel also wrote the screenplay for the film. This Disney produced movie is
witty, clever, and quite ambitious. How nice to finally have a kids' movie with
some solid content that all audiences can truly
appreciate.