Netflix recently released 2 films focused on younger audiences. Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure, which is Richard Linklater’s animated childhood recollection and Metal Lords, that follows 3 teens forming a band.

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure Anyone who was a kid or older in the summer of 1969 will remember the historic moon landing. Richard Linklater wrote and directed this film animating real people in the rotoscoped style of his 2 previous films Waking Life & A Scanner Darkly. This time is autobiographical, as the protagonist (voiced by Milo Coy as a boy and Jack Black as an adult) recounts his life during that memorable season. Most of the narrative revolves around his reminiscence of the period, with lots of familiar cultural references. There’s a subplot about him being recruited by NASA for a secret trip to the moon, but it only serves as a footnote. While the style is attractive and there are charming moments, it’s a highly personal reminiscence with social commentary. This trip is more about Linklater’s nostalgia, than an outerspace adventure, which younger viewers might hope for. (3 / 5)
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Metal Lords Game Of Thrones writer D.B. Weiss and executive producer David Benioff are behind this film with Rage Against The Machine’s guitarist Tom Morello as music producer. This pedigree should guarantee a film with socko potential, but falls short. It revolves around 2 teens (Adrian Greensmith and Jaeden Martell, whose looks harken back to Daniel Radcliff’s Harry Potter days). They’re intent on forming a heavy metal band, but can’t generate any interest in their high school…until they recruit a British cellist (Isis Hainsworth) as their bass player. While there’s lots of potential for fun, this predictable plot lacks any surprises, while the writing and situations are slack on humor. Fans of the music genre might get off on the numerous references and cameos, including Morello, Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Rob Halford (Judas Priest). Otherwise, there’s not much original or especially appealing. (2.5 / 5)
Netflix link