[yasr_overall_rating]
Tad Jones, the most awkward explorer, must rescue his beloved Sara from a millionaire who is looking for King Midas’ necklace.
The front cover of “Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas” was enough to turn me off from this animated adventure movie. Nor did the cover mention this was a second or third installment in the Tad series. Not everyone is a connoisseur of poorly executed children’s films. The sad part is, I enjoyed the plot but the characters were pathetic and took the movie down a few stars. Had they taken the same plot in a non-cartoon venue with some even half decent actors, I would have been riveted. I’m all for locating fantastical archaeological finds leading to the mythical King Midas and the ability to turn anything into gold.
Construction worker Tad dreams of life as an explorer. When his friend Sara Lavrof discovers proof of the mythical King Midas, Tad attends her presentation in an attempt to woo her into becoming his girlfriend. Before he has a chance to work his dorky magic, a hapless mummy decides to become his sidekick and wreaks havoc on his plans. Not only hapless but exasperating and thickheaded. Two of my three kids left the comfy couch at this point to pursue other activities. I understood but kept watching. At Sara’s presentation, a millionaire kidnaps her and her proof of Midas, so he can become the new King of gold.
Tad, Sara’s assistant Tiffany, and the mummy, dressed like a salsa dancer or Elvis, set off to rescue Sara and protect the world from the power of gold. Following clues in Sara’s notebook, the oddball group finds quite the adventure for the bumbling Tad to prove his worth to his love. They find Sara and elude the bad guys and set off together to find the pieces of Midas’ necklace before the mastermind. For some reason, a love triangle forms between Sara, Tiffany, and Tad. Did I mention this is a kids movie? No love triangles allowed. The writers seemed to think if you throw in an idiotic talking mummy, a pup, and a talking bird, then you can sell anything to kids. Wrong. My third kid left to read a book at this point. I would have left too except I wanted to know where King Midas’ necklace lay buried.
The group continues to outsmart the criminal until almost the very end. Typical, but enjoyable as there were secret entrances, squeaky mice, statues with levers, and Midas’ necklace. You will need to watch the movie to find out if they keep the evil rich guy from turning the group into gold, or stop caring and take a little me time before the kids lose interest. Your choice.
While Tad resembles Adam Sandler, he has none of Sandler’s self-deprecating humor or appeal. I fail to see what Tad sees in Sara, besides her job as an explorer, she has no personality. The mummy takes annoying to a new level. The kind of annoying mom’s cringe at in kids cartoons because kids find high-pitched and brainless characters entertaining. Maybe if they had taken the real Adam Sandler, or Brendan Fraser, and made this an adult movie it would have gotten a few more stars, but alas, this was probably not feasible for this low-budget film. Almost a complete waste of time despite how interesting an adventure to find Midas’ source of gold power would be with the right elements mixed together.
Available on DVD and Digital HD April 10th
