MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
(PG) Sci-fi thriller/112 minutes/Opens today
Rating: 4/5
THIS is a welcome reprieve from all the heavy CGI stuff we’ve been getting.
Midnight Special relies on a riveting story and a strong cast and is indeed very special.
It starts off as a mystery, then veers into supernatural territory, with sci-fi thrown in.
But at the heart of this mixed-genre film is a heartwarming family drama.
The terrific 13-year-old Jaeden Lieberher (St Vincent, Aloha) plays the gifted Alton, who is on the run with his protective parents Roy (a brilliant Michael Shannon) and Sara (a tender Kirsten Dunst).
The authorities want the boy because they think he is a weapon while a religious cult thinks he is the Messiah.
While parts of the film are uneven, the big reveal is satisfying and worth the wait.
This is a showcase of masterful acting, not only by the leads but also by each and every one of its supporting cast.
THE NEW PAPER
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