Home > Consumer Reviews > Wide Awake [special Edition] [dvd]

Prior to first watching Wide Awake I was skeptical of whether or not I would find it entertaining - the description makes it seem a little too cutesy. However, this family film is actually a great tale of one young man's journey to find God, the reasons motivating his search, and what he ends up discovering provides an interesting twist to the story (hint: some who have seen Shyamalan's other films may anticipate an element which served as the cornerstone for one of his more popular films). I recommend this film for any family looking for a wholesome movie to watch together or for anyone looking for a feel-good and well-produced story.

A funny touching kid's film that will probably be over the heads of most people.
Why be good to the bully or the fat kid who is kind of a pest?
What happens to people when they die?
That first time a girl is more than a mean kid in a dress
happens without warning.
Faith isn't taught by "goose bumps", but
by getting in touch and being wide awake.
Most of us don't ever have a mission,
and certainly not in the 5th grade.
Heart warming is good, but answers about God
are really from inside and not from a movie.

I love Wide Awake. It doesn't get bogged down in sentimentality. The characters are clear and believable. The quest this boy goes on to find G'd feels genuine and isn't answered with pre-set adult answers. Delightful.

Wide Awake is a real gem. It is delightful family film, thought provoking regarding the death of grandpa, and explores the real meaning of family and friends. Every time I have viewed this, which is multiple times, I have come away with a different aspect of life. I especially love the way the kids protray their characters and the suttle comedy. As Joshua said, "I Am Wide Awake Now", reflecting on the past year, as he has decided on what is the important things in life. I can say with him "I Am Wide Awake Now, too!". It is a very clean film worth viewing with your kids. Except they have the cuss word sh-- twice in the film which could have been easily omitted.

I use to watch this movie alll the freakin time when i was like 12 years old. I like this movie a lot dude! I like movies like this & american beauty, how they are so weird. I recently ordered movies that will "take me back" I want to kinda get the vibe of being 12 again (my favorite age of all time hands down) I'm 22 now. I ordered "leave it to beaver" the movie 1998. Which i also watched like every day, & I ordered "Josh & Sam" 1994 Some movie my brother & I watched in theatres when we were like 8, takes me back. & also, I didn't order this but I use to watch every day "Casper 2 a spiritual beginning" something like that. It was some casper movie that went straight to VHS tape. Something all these movies have in common, I was the same age as the main characters in each one, when the movie came out & I like looked up to the main characters or something. Like I looked almost exactly like the kid from casper 2, seriously! at that time, i use to trip out bro- i'd be like- Dang.... We look the same dude, but why? And leave it to beaver was just funny, i think Beaver was just funny dude. & I like how cookie cutter perfect the neighbor hood was, & Wide awake was just tight dude, it's that weird kind of movie, i felt i had a lot in common with the main character. The main character has this like above average inteligents but he's not aware of it, they don't make it obvious, it's just there. & he's charismatic etc.. also, he's extremely dedicated to this One thing, which i was like that.. anyway, gotta go bro its freakin 2:14AM & I"m typing up an essay for a review dude? I'm 22 years old man, whats wrong with me hahahaha! Dang....