Plot
Alex Rider thinks he is a normal school boy, until his uncle is killed. He discovers that his uncle was actually spy on a mission...

Release Year: 2006

Rating: 5.1/10 (11,565 voted)

Critic's Score: 42/100

Director: Geoffrey Sax

Stars: Alex Pettyfer, Mickey Rourke, Sophie Okonedo

Storyline
Alex Rider thinks he is a normal school boy, until his uncle is killed. He discovers that his uncle was actually spy on a mission, when he was killed. Alex is recruited by Alan Blunt to continue the mission. He is sent to Cornwall to investigate a new computer system, which Darrius Sayle has created. He plans to give the new computer systems to every school in the country, but Mr. Blunt has other ideas and Alex must find out what it is.

Writers: Anthony Horowitz, Anthony Horowitz

Cast:
Sarah Bolger - Sabina Pleasure
Robbie Coltrane - Prime Minister
Stephen Fry - Smithers
Damian Lewis - Yassen Gregorovich
Ewan McGregor - Ian Rider
Bill Nighy - Alan Blunt
Sophie Okonedo - Mrs. Jones
Alex Pettyfer - Alex Rider
Missi Pyle - Nadia Vole
Mickey Rourke - Darrius Sayle
Andy Serkis - Mr. Grin
Alicia Silverstone - Jack Starbright
Ashley Walters - Wolf
Alex Barrett - Gary
Richard Huw - Teacher

Taglines: Rule the school. Save the world.

Release Date: 21 July 2006

Filming Locations: Broadgate, London, England, UK

Box Office Details

Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: £1,244,892 (UK) (23 July 2006) (370 Screens)

Gross: $652,526 (USA) (12 November 2006)

Runtime: 93 min

Trivia:
Fifteen-year-old Alex Pettyfer was chosen from five hundred other boys for the coveted lead role of Alex Rider.

Goofs:
Continuity: In one scene in the toy store, the employee Alex goes to see has a crooked name tag but in the next cut, it's straight.

Quotes:
Alex Rider: Mr. Grin, can you hear me?
[silence]
Alex Rider: Mr. Grin?
[silence]
Alex Rider: Ok, Mr. Grin, I want you to take me to London as fast as you can!
[Mr. Grin turns the helicopter sharply]

Action packed fun for older children and adults

Rating: 9/10

I was at the World premiere in London and I was apprehensive about watching a film adaptation of a book as some of them work and others don't. This one definitely does. From the first minutes of the film, you know that you're in for a thrilling adventure. Alex Rider, played superbly by Alex Pettyfer, is very believable as a school kid thrown into the deep end by Bill Nighy who hams it up brilliantly as spymaster Alan Blunt. Alex Rider is a deadly weapon on two legs as you'll see as the film progresses. Marvellous Micky Rourke, plays the evil villain who keeps a very unusual and deadly pet and looks as if he's just stepped off the set of a Revlon ad (you'll see!!). There's lots of action, some love interest, but that's not overplayed and although some of the evil characters look as if they've been loaned out from Cirque Du Soleil, including Micky Rourke, they play their parts as they should be, comically but with a twist of evil thrown in. It all works very well but Alex Pettyfer is a revelation. He plays the part coolly, calmly and with a great deal of conviction. I think Sean Connery would be proud of him. The film throws in a few James Bondesque clichés and there is one scene in the film which will remind you of a particular person from Goldfinger !! All in all highly enjoyable, my 11 year old niece and 14 year old nephew and their friends really enjoyed it and I think you will too.

Comments: