This movie is targeted for children twelve years old and up. Children will find it amusing as it deals with kids helping one another, gaining independence, and discovering a great secret about a mysterious carousel. It has mild language in it.

The film begins with one orphaned brother, Bo, having been adopted by his unkind uncle and aunt. Bo’s older brother, Prosper, sets out to rescue him so that they can be together and travel to Venice, which their mother had told them was one of the most beautiful places in the world. They get mixed up with a child known as the “Thief Lord,” who plans to get them involved in helping him. It should be noted that some of the actions are not necessarily what they appear to be and this is all resolved by the end of the film. We later learn that Skip, the Thief Lord, has a difficult background at home.

The film does have some good moments, including a statement by one of the adult characters: “If children are in trouble, they are usually misled or used by adults.” Parents should be warned that there is a scene in which a thief uses a confessional to encourage the children to steal, and there is a scene in which a child headbutts a man to get away from him, and a scene in which Skip pulls a rifle on a woman out of fear, but she grabs it from him and eventually becomes a friend to him and the other children. The story has a satisfying conclusion and some redeeming values as the adults help the children in the end.

Without being specific about the help given and the ending, it is safe to say that one needs to watch the entire film to get the whole impact. The carousel scenes at the end are very well done and children will love them.