I was never a boy scout. It honestly wasn't even offered as an option in the area I group up in. The reason I mention that is because I didn't plan to like a movie about being a boy scout. Still, Troop 491: The Adventures of The Muddy Lions turned out to be pretty enjoyable. The film comes to us from the mind of Praheme, both the director and the company. I haven't seen any of his other films, but I'll make an effort this one.
Troop 491 centers around Tristian. He's a young kid from Baltimore who avoids the problems in life through art. He doesn't have much interest in anything else besides finishing school, going off to college, and surviving church. After the local boy scouts make a presentation during a church service Tristian's mother signs him up as a way to keep him out of trouble.
It almost works. Tristian quickly becomes a leader within his troop and makes new friends who come from a different life than he does. Still he's drawn to the streets and the life he knows. One day he skips out to sit at the basketball court drawing portraits for funds. He witnesses a murder that night and leaves behind his notebook. From there Tristian is stuck between doing the right thing, and following a street code he doesn't truly believe in.
I don't want to spoil the entire story. The story is simple, but timeless. Boy wants to do good, boy has to make a hard choice. The one element I wish was expanded on a little more was the tension between Tristian and his mother. It isn't touched on much, but it's there. The scene that sticks out the most is when she can't pay the light bill, so she punishes Tristian by telling him he can no longer participate in scout meetings. She also doesn't exactly love the fact that he's always drawing either. The tension is there, and I'd like to see more of it, but it isn't really necessary to enjoy the film.
One thing I did love is there are some great visuals in the film. There isn't anything that's groundbreaking, but there's a lot of techniques that are used well. For example, I watch a lot of low budget action movies, it just happens because I enjoy movies that don't need to spend millions to tell a story. Anyway, there's a technique they use where the camera shakes to hide that the choreography might not be the strongest, but it still triggers and adrenaline rush. After a few films you catch it, and realize the technique is over used. That technique is used a few times throughout the film. However, it isn't exclusive to fight scenes. There's one scene where the troop is running, mixed with the red clothes and mud, it creates a good visual.
The film places a lot of emphasis on how boy scouts help people prepare for life. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it came off that way. Being a grown man, I'm not going to rush out and join the boy scouts. I will however stop and buy some popcorn next time the overzealous mom rushes me in the grocery store. The film is enjoyable and certainly gives off a moral. I enjoyed it, but I can't help but think I'd enjoy it more if I watched it with my family.
You can check out some of my fiction at 12 AM Fiction or follow my web serial Exsanguinate and of course hear me on the Powerbomb Jutsu podcast.
Follow @OriginalKingD
