Some Assembly Required (USA)

This is a documentary about multiple teams of Junior High schoolers competing in a national toy design contest. The teams come from different parts of the country and even though it's not that explicit they seem to be from a sampling of different educational and economic backgrounds as well. The contest goal is to design an original toy or game and construct a working prototype for less than $150. Beyond that the contestants seem to be given pretty wide latitude. Events culminate at the finals in San Diego where selected teams go to present in person to judges. The phases of the contest are intercut with visually amusing animated sequences and occasionally footage from old toy commercials. Some of the old footage is pretty amusing showing rather dubious toys. Including one that seems as though it was sponsored by head trauma physicians looking for new business.

I heard some more cynical folks coming out of the screening with negative opinions. On the other hand I completely enjoyed this film. It's not quite as captivating as Spellbound or Mad Hot Ballroom. But as opposed to the former film the activity they're engaged in is so clearly positive, win or lose, that you don't have the feeling that you're watching the kids being traumatized for life.

I guess if you're looking to nitpick there are so many kids that you don't get to really feel like you know any of them that well. And there are times where learning more about the toy's technical aspects might have been interesting. Even so I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly and feeling this is a great, inspirational activity for kids. The fact that there wasn't one huge star kid may make the point better than anything else that this is an activity that almost any child would benefit from. They produce widely divergent games ranging from boxing to pool baseball, games around family social dynamics to one on climate change. That last one, done by a group of girl scouts was a highlight of the film for me. Also loved the team that produced a simple in concept but technically challenging boxing game.

A film for any age this was just simple fun from start to finish. "They needed to build a circuit. A week ago they didn't know what a circuit was, but they didn't see that as a problem.". How can you watch kids being creative like that before they start to get messages that being smart isn't cool and not at least have a good time?