The Inventurers

The Inventurers follows two teenage boys, Jim (Alex Frow), who’s struggling with his parents’ divorce, and his best friend Matt (Glen Sherrington), who are obsessed with video games. One day, a power cut stops them from playing their video games, so they have to rely on their imaginations for entertainment.

What is perhaps most charming about The Inventurers is its wholesome, tonally consistent vibe throughout the film. The chemistry between Glen Sherrington and Alex Frow in their portrayals of Matt and Jim, respectively, is ultimately the heart and soul of the narrative, making the experience worthwhile. As the film's composer, Peter Frow provides an energetic score with recurring motifs that effectively anchor the sequences in which Matt and Jim rely on their imagination for entertainment. In the first act, dialogue is notably sparse, with the piece relying heavily on visual storytelling and music during moments when characters try to devise a plan to prevent Jim’s parents from divorcing. It's a commendable choice complemented by camerawork which is mostly solid, consisting of fixed wide shots as the characters take part in activities in the garden. There's a shift to point-of-view photography in the second half of the piece, which is also incredibly visceral and fun to witness as a viewer.

One of the film's most surprising strengths is its impressive production value; despite clear budget limitations, the filmmakers make excellent use of their resources to craft several highly entertaining set pieces. Unfortunately, these set pieces soon grow repetitive as each sequence feels overly drawn out and increasingly tedious to watch. The jarring musical choices throughout the film do little to help, further contributing to its inconsistent tonal identity. It creates a surprisingly atmospheric shift in the second act, one that feels both visually and tonally distinct from what came before.

Perhaps the biggest issue with The Inventurers is its prolonged runtime, which doesn't have enough material to sustain its 92 minutes. It is largely fun and energetic tonally; however, it lacks originality in its themes and staying power due to its repetitive narrative. Once the narrative expands beyond the garden, the visuals become more imaginative, reflecting Matt and Jim through their journey through the wider world. The coming-of-age aspects are particularly effective, bolstered by the strong chemistry among the cast.

The supporting cast delivers largely underwhelming performances, with stiff, robotic line delivery that makes many of the characters difficult to take seriously. While the chemistry between newcomers Alex Frow and Glen Sherrington is commendable, the supporting players are largely forgettable. As a result, the film’s dramatic moments struggle to resonate, which is particularly disappointing given how committed the child actors are.

While the later half of the film becomes more enjoyable, the final act feels like a slog as the narrative loses momentum and gradually grinds to a halt. Certain subplots feel inserted to create conflict, yet they fail to resonate thematically. The narrative rarely explores the emotional impact of Jim’s parents’ divorce beyond presenting video games and his imagination as coping mechanisms.

The Inventurers is a largely frustrating experience, more invested in showcasing its characters’ imaginative escapism than constructing a cohesive and engaging narrative. While the film carries a wholesome, Stand by Me (1986)-like charm, it struggles to fully embrace its coming-of-age atmosphere due to repetitive pacing that can feel grating to sit through.