The Son of Bigfoot

Directed by: Ben Stassen Jeremy Degruson
Produced by: Gina Gallo, Mimi Maynard, Domonic Paris, Ben Stassen, Caroline Van Iseghem, Steve Waterman
Written by: Bob Barlen, Cal Brunker
Screenplay by: Bob Barlen, Cal Brunker
Cast: Laila Berzins, Pappy Faulkner, Sandy Fox, Marieve Herington, Joe Ochman, Chris Parson, Alan Shearman, Michael Sorich, Terrence Stone, Joe J. Thomas
Music by: Puggy
Released: 16 August 2017
Content: Youth

Plot: HairCo. is a megacorporation run by Wallace Eastman (Terrence Stone) that specializes in improving people's hair. His helicopter chases after a scientist named Dr. Harrison who escapes by jumping into a river.

12 years later, a young boy named Adam Harrison (Pappy Faulkner) the son of Dr. Harrison, lives with his mother, Shelly but keeps being harassed by the local bullies Tony (Yuri Lowenthal), Dale (Nicholas Marj), and Garcia (Barry D. Buckner) for being unjustly judged by other students and being the mutual crush of a kindhearted girl named Emma (Shylo Summer). Over time, he also notices that strange things start happening to him, like his feet growing bigger so his toes stick out of his shoes and that his hair growing right back over night even after his mother gave it a complete chop.

After discovering not only the fact that his father is alive, but also his current location from a box his mother Shelly (Marieve Herington) had kept hidden, Adam sets out on an epic and daring quest to uncover the mystery behind his long-lost dad only to find out that he is none other than the legendary Bigfoot (Christopher L. Parsons) who has been hiding deep in the forest for years to protect himself and his family from Eastman who is eager to run scientific experiments with his special DNA. What neither of them knew was that a truck driver named Fat Dan (Jeff Doucette) had nearly run over Adam. Bigfoot saved Adam, but Fat Dan got some footage of it and put it in the newspaper.

Adam discovers that he too is gifted with superpowers similar to his dad, like having large feet, supersonic hearing, running at incredible speeds and speaking to animals like Tina the squirrel (Sandy Fox), Trapper the raccoon (Joe Ochman), his wife Weecha (Laila Berzins), Wilbur the bear (Michael Sorich), and Steve the woodpecker (Joe J. Thomas).

Review: The story takes several twists and turns when Adam discovers letters written by his father to his mothers. Recognizing the dates on the letters he is quick to realise his father is still alive. Confronting his mother and not happy with the answers he sets off to find his father and reconnect. At this time a back story is revealed giving an insight into the past and reasons the father left.

Some have deemed this film not suitable for children under 11. Even suggesting that it would be unsuitable for children between 11-15. Yet I personally would advice it would be up to the parents understanding of their child's personality and development. There is some coarse language and a few juvenile jokes, but mostly nothing over the top. It does have all the usual hallmark moments and the soundtrack keeps the younger viewers attention. AS an adult I enjoyed the film and would suggest it to families looking to have a place to start a conversation about bullying in the school environment.

M J Flack