Customer Reviews

Arizona Summer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It's obvious why "Arizona Summer" won Favorite Family Film over "Second Hand Lions" at the Kansas City FilmFest! I think it's one of the best family films on the market today. My family enjoyed the fun camp experiences, plus the wonderful stories of growing up and father-son relationships. I think it's a must-see for all families!

What a surprise a movie the entire family can watch! Lots of laughs and touching moments that not only my six year old son loved but even got my thirteen year old daughter to laugh and really enjoy. As a parent, I would recommend for the whole family.

The movie is great!! Saw it 14 times at the theater with my friend in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Have friends in the movie as well!

**However, the DVD listed (as of 7-20-2006) is - 1.) Incorrect 2.) Poorly reproduced by Mti Home Video (Miami).

Special Note: Mti Home Video never returned my calls regarding the following DVD production issues.

The Issues:
This DVD is blurred, NOT widescreen as listed and looks as if someone zoomed onto the center of a movie screen thinking this is how modern professional FULL screen digitization is done.
Note: The DVD video is somewhat dark and grainy because of this zoomed action. Very similar to when you use a DVD player's Zoom function.

I bought this DVD because it said "WIDESCREEN". The UPC code on my bought DVD is the same as listed. When you play it, it only plays as FULL SCREEN with the above issues. I found Mti Home Video's press release which says it would be coming out as FULL SCREEN ONLY - so why is it listed on many sites as WIDESCREEN as the only format? This DVD should be High Quality Digital Video if done like all other DVD movies produced and sold today, even the cheap one's. "IF" this movie is re-released with these issues fixed in an updated version, consider this review 5 Stars for the DVD at that time.

Otherwise, as a movie, it is a great 5 star family film that has good morals and great comedic moments. This is one of my favorites of all times. It is similar to
"Camp Nowhere", "Meatballs" and "Caddyshack" - in regard to various resurrected comedic routines found in these movies. Hoku's song is great and provides energy to the movie. Some of the kids in the movie are now regulars on "That's So Raven" and other Disney Channel shows. If you are a fan of Hoku or Bug Hall, this movie is for you.

I was pleasantly surprised when my family watched this movie. My two kids had heard about it from some relatives and asked us to get it. It's basically a Disney-type movie with the Bionic Man playing the role of Yoda. Overall, good family fun; good message; good movie.

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I never get tired of watching it. I felt like the movie had some positive teaching points concerning father-son relationships, and about having fun with a friend, as the two boys, Brent and Jerry, were doing at the camp. It also taught about not fighting unless it's the only way. Having said that, I also enjoyed other things about the film besides just the moral lessons. I loved the look and feel of the great outdoors in the Arizona desert. There was just something liberating and energizing about the whole setting. Watching this movie just somehow gives me a feeling of being free. (I do realize, however, that this is not a film that will appeal to everyone.) I thought the actors did a fine job, for the most part. I really liked Lorenzo Henrie, the boy who played Jerry. He was so adorable. And Gemini Barnett, who played Brent, also seemed like a sweet kid. Lee Majors did great as a firm authority figure to keep watch over the camp and keep things in order. I liked the scene where Brent talks to Jerry's dad and tells him that he is being too hard on Jerry. I was happy to see Jerry and his dad getting along so well in the end. There's a lot of sweetness about this movie, yet is avoids being too mushy. It's just a nice little film that the family can watch together and there's something in it that everyone can cheer about. So find this movie and watch it. Just don't expect to see an Oscar-worthy performance, just expect a fresh breath of fun and friendship.

This movie taught very good principles, especially that the teaching came from a child to his friend's father. He told the friend's father that he did not think that he (the father) liked his son because of how he treated his son. This made the father rethink his relationship with his son.

Great movie.

A high rating is given for Arizona Summer only because it featured Lee Majors. Story-wise, it smacks a little of that Hayley Mills classic "The Parent Trap". However, the comparison stops there. There are some fine Arizona scenery and good old camping antics. The kids seem like a fresh breath in a weary campsite. Here, the Lee Majors character, represents the tired Arizona outback, an old timer who still packs a punch (ponch) and no shortage on wits and guile even when his knee is not in the best condition. The sublimal part of the story is spiritual, religious and moralistic, like "Seven Heaven". Good family entertainment for couch potatoes without an agenda. As a person who loves camping out, this is good inspiration for my next camping trip. Camping is a good place for family bonding.

THis is a simple fun family movie. It was filmed in my home town and I am actually an extra at the very beginning walking a dog. I got to meet all the actors and everyone. Having said that, this is just a very simple, fun, movie for everybody, not the best, but worth seeing.

Please do not torture your children. Send them to camp, maybe even camp in Arizona. Read a story about summer camp in Arizona. Let them watch Raising Arizona. Do not, however, rent or even think about buying this movie. It was only made because director Joey Travolta is John's brother; terrible is not a strong enough adjective. Bad acting, cheesy set-up, and unintentional moments of humor for those of drunken persuasion.