Holes [2003]

'Holes' starts off as the story of a boy called Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf) who, in the tradition of his family's run of bad luck, is falsely accused of stealing some shoes and is sent to camp in lieu of prison. The camp is a desolate place on the site of a lake which dried up (now just desert) and the camp philosophy is that the boys sent there spend each day digging holes in the sand to 'build character'. The camp staff (Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight and Tim Blake Nelson) are harsh and the camp atmosphere tough. However, it soon becomes apparent that the camp warden (a feminine but mean Sigourney Weaver) has another intention for the hole digging. Slowly, Stanley uncovers the mystery of the camp while trying to gain respect from his fellow inmates and the story of Stanley's family and the now dry lake is gradually revealed.

The story is quite complicated and much is revealed in flashbacks. You need to keep up with all the connections which are exposed to really appreciate the ending. However, the acting all round is excellent, with the unknown cast of boys really making an impact, particularly LaBeouf and Khleo Thomas who plays Zero. The adult actors provide excellent backup and the supporting stories are nicely told. This story has love, redemption and mystery - stick with it and you will be rewarded!


A great adaptation of the book   November 6, 2006
Tealady2000 (Edinburgh)
28 out of 28 found this review helpful

This is a brilliant family movie which you will enjoy whether or not you have read the book by Louis Sachar. Stanley Yelnats (spell the surname backwards!) and his family have perpetual bad luck as the result of a curse that was put on his ancestors when they lived in East Europe, before they came to the States. As a result of a typical piece of misfortune, Stanley ends up at the Camp Greenlake correctional facility. But there is no lake - just a desert, in which the boys have to dig holes day after day. Gradually the mystery of the hole-digging is revealed and Stanley is the hero of the day. The camp staff are wonderfully horrible (Sigorney Weaver and Jon Voigt) and the whole thing is so well made it's a joy to watch. Although many parts are extremely funny there are many moving bits too (but not cheesy). It is much quirkier than other Disney movies, and suitable for ages 8 and up.


A buried treasure of a film ...   March 5, 2006
M. G. Talks (Farnborough)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

I watched this film after seeing it had made the shortlist of 100 greatest family films.

Its quite a good movie, part teen buddy movie (set in a delinquent camp which reads like something out of Greek mythology), part superstition, part western. The young leads are earnest in their role, and there is lots of quirky support from the adult supporting characters.

Definitely worth digging up ...


Fantastic film for all the family   March 22, 2004
shansu69 (london)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

This adaptation of Louis Sachars book is one of the best efforts that Disney have done in a long time.A great movie following the fortunes of the unlucky Stanley Yelnats who is convicted of stealing a pair of sneakers and is sent to Camp Greenlake which is run by Mr Sirand the Warden(brilliantly played by Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver) ,the kids at the camp are taken into the desert and have to dig a hole each day ,this brings in the 2nd part of the movie which flashes back 100 years and brings in Stanleys great-great grandfather and intertwines his family with that of the wardens and one of the other kids in the camp Zero who is picked on by the others but forms a friendship with Stanley.
The performances in this movie are great there isnt a duff one in the whole movie and the story zips backwards and forwards in time and will be entertaining enough for the whole family a definite recommendation.


rubbish   June 14, 2005
10 out of 55 found this review helpful

i really couldn't...connect with this film i didn't enjoy that much. Although i thought some bits were funny, i don't recommend this to children under the age of 8 as they may not understand what is going on!!!