Dream a Little Dream
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D
Review Review by Ross Anthony

Writer director Robert Rodriguez says of the story, "Spy Kids 3D was released and had become successful, so I got a call from Bob Weinstein at Dimension asking if I had any other ideas for a 3D family film. I didn't, but was put on the spot. I looked over at [my seven-year-old son] who was drawing his Sharkboy children's book, and I asked Bob, 'How about the adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl ... in 3D?'"

From the dreamland of a grade school kid (Max) comes two daydream heroes. At first they make Max the class geek, but eventually of course, Max's dreamland breaks into schoolhouse reality.

Like Rodriguez's other 3D family films, this one has momentary lapses of 2D: blue-red glasses on, blue-red glasses off. Mostly this works.

The dreamland is drawn in broad strokes, space, rockets, carnival (a little like Jimmy Neutron) and robots (a little like Robots). Personally, I'm getting a little tired of the built in amusement park ride/film package, but I'm not a kid.

Paced well, the film seldom slows enough to bore a kid. And while Rodriguez lays the dream-related puns on heavily and even plants some more "thought-proking" seeds, he never quite commits to giving the film a more than surface depth. For this reason, adults may remain only mildly amused. But again, this is a family film.

As an adult, I'd give the production a B, but I think kids may enjoy it more, and it does have a positive message.

The 3D itself gives the film a tad dreamier feel, but isn't anything spectacular technically, nor is it clear of ghosting. That said, the 2D stuff has a juicy Nickelodeon color punch to it.

Lastly, Taylor Lautner has some real nice moves as Sharkboy and Taylor Dooley, a winning smile. Showing off some decent child acting chops, Jacob Davich as Minus (the kid enemy).


  • The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3D. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Taylor Lautner, Taylor Dooley, Cayden Boyd, George Lopez, David Arquette, Kristin Davis, Jacob Davich.
  • Directed by Robert Rodriguez.
  • Screenplay by Robert and Marcel Rodriguez. Based on Stories and Dreams of Racer Max Rodriguez.
  • Produced by Elizabeth Avellan and Robert Rodriguez at Troublemaker/Dimension/Paramount Pics.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:21:45 PDT