Undercover Angel (1999)

Sadly Over-hyped

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

This delicious comedy is a good way for a family to spend some quality time together. Director Bryan Michael Stoller, working with his own material, has come out with a winning movie that will bring joy to those young at heart.Most critics of this film should realize this film is targeted for a specific audience. This sunny movie will warm one's heart. Thanks to Emily Mae Young, who plays Jenny, the precocious little star that has an uncanny sense of what to do in front of the camera. "Underground Angel" was a nice change of pace.Dean Winters and Yasmine Bleeth are seen in the main roles. Together with Miss Young they do amazing work together.

Despite the number of positive comments previously made this movie HARDLY qualifies as "good". I suppose you would give it that description if you were of the female persuasion AND less than 10 years old AND could identify with the child character. Otherwise this is a waste of time for all the reasons so eloquently mentioned by <rps-2> on 15 May 2004.... and more. A suspension of disbelief is strongly required. <possible spoilers herein> I have never previously been disappointed by James Earl Jones but this movie must have been a contractual obligation for him - his part is ludicrously written. The mother has no redeeming qualities - she comes across as hard-nosed, career-centric and selfish. The dead-beat father is redeemed only by his girlfriend - portrayed by Yasmine Bleeth who actually copes quite well in this brain-fluff of an excuse for a story. Altogether a pointless effort. One star out of 10 and that's for Emily Mae Young who does commendably well in this cutesy story.

Why oh why do we keep making such bad movies in Canada. This film is an unoriginal cookie cutter clone of countless similar stories, complete with the unbearably cute kid, disgustingly lovable dog and predictably unsuitable foster father. It's poorly done, right from the opening scene which ingenuously misleads the viewer down the wrong path. This is to film making what a knock off Rolex is to watchmaking. It would be bad enough if a Hollywood film crew made the gratuitious errors in this film. It's unforgivable for Canadians. Child welfare cases are a matter of provincial, not federal jurisdiction in Canada. They certainly are not heard in the Supreme Court of Canada. A Canadian justice (not judge) is not addressed as "your honour" but "my lord." Having James Earl Grey play a Canadian justice, one who is anything but impartial and who is wearing the wrong robes, is just too much. This is a pointless waste of time, effort, money and film stock.

At first I rented this movie because Dean Winters is in it, but after watching it, I realized that the movie is really good and funny, Dean Winters is a BONUS!!:) I recommend this movie to anyone that likes Dean Winters and kids. It is a family film that everyone should see. The cute humor is suitable for people of any age. I guarantee you'll enjoy it. Plus Dean is HOT!