Troop Zero (2020) Movie Review

Christmas (Mckenna Grace) is just a little girl, from a little town with some.. personal problems. Ever since her mother died, Christmas was always into stars, galaxy, and observing them. She believes her mother lives in the stars you see, and she watches them, talks to them every night. She sends an emit of light to the stars every night, so her mother can see her. One day, she hears about a competition which has a meaningful price for her. The winner of that competition gets a chance to record a message for the magical messsage which will be sent to the space, along with other soundtracks from all around the world, in one big archive, called Children Of The Planet Earth. She of course sees the opportunity in it. In the end, if she wins, she can have a chance to record an audio track, for her mother in the stars. 

In this atmosphere, she decides to join that competition. For that competiton, she needs a birdie scout team to be assambled, and she doesn't have that much friends either, so it's quite a task. Still though, she finds the first member easy, her best friend Joseph, joins right away. The 2 kids then form a member circle with the neighbourhood bullies. All that isn't yet enough though, they still need a mother for the scouts. For that, Christmas' beloved Miss Rayleen (Viola Davis) gets into rescue. Now, with all the team assambled, they're ready to go win that thing, or are they?

Amazon original, Troop zero, with it's rich background story shines bright at the beginning. It just takes you closer to itself, and that's not just to see how it ends, or how Viola Davis is a miracle of cinema. There's more, you just want to see it, and that's quite rare. Story is outstanding, and one of a kind. It never stops growing, and getting more and more detailed, while keeping the development in order for the characters. With it's 97 min screentime, it's quite an attempt, since shooting a movie that long with not a massive production phase often ends deep in ocean. Still though, Troop Zero achieves to be interesting at all times, even when the credits roll. All that achieved in story building makes it one of my favourite plots of this year.

Character development is top notch for the lead role(s), Christmas becomes one of our own, we literally feel her, we want to be scared with her(watch it, you'll see what this means), we want to go beyond in her mind. As for her birdie scouts, mostly the same. Price (aka Hell-no Price, Milan Ray) is a strong role to begin with, she seems like a bully, and that's all. Like the bullies in modern Cinderella reboots (wanna see a review for one? Click here) But she's more than that, surprisingly she also has feelings, also has a background, and also can develop into something more. Her development is as interesting as Christmas'. Also, Joseph, is such an intriguing character, he's the poster for most kids arround the world, with their parents' high expectations, and action plans to make them reach that expectations. Over the top development in general leaves the viewer staring at screen for more when it ends. Soundtracks are just like they should've been, amazing. Movie is pretty bright, enough even for me, so you can say it's enough enough. 

What I didn't like? Scenery in general makes less sense if you think about it, but in the 97 mins of rolltime, it seemed reasonable at most scenes. Could be a little more detailed, and more researched for the actual occasion, but it's more than mediocre anyway. Kids at jamboree look like they were just visiting the area in a field trip and were asked to join the cast. Development for side characters are mediocre, not enough at least. Miss Massey is underdeveloped, that's normal, she's just a reminder for the society's voice. But the father, Ramsey Flint, is also underdeveloped, he seems to have some things to say, to show, yet he just looks like a drunk ex lawyer. Of course, he is actually, but still, you can feel there's more than a single parent missing his wife there, you can see that, but it's not displayed.

In the end, Troop Zero offers original screenwriting, unique story telling and top notch character development. It's deeper than just a feelgood movie, yet it does make you feel good. Oh it does!

Reviewed By : Batu

Cinemortals Rating : 8/10