hawked-off This is not a bad film, especially considering the IMDb-estimated budget ($1M). It should be pointed out, however, that the basic structure of the cast/characters follows some pretty cliché'd stereotypes. The main "gang" that goes in search of Bayou Bob consists of two boys and a girl (in films of the 1930s and 1940s, for example, the gangs were almost always all-girl or all-boy in similar stories). This is not a problem, per se, but the perceptive adult should be asking why it is never two girls and a boy, or larger gangs where girls predominate, or, indeed, why (these days) is it virtually never all-boy or all-girl gangs? Variety may be the spice of life, but not of kids' films!As for the individual characters, they, too are stereotypes: the gentle macho (Toddster); the sensible girl (Emily) whose opinions and instincts are right much more often than the boys; and the lovable, African-American nerd (Gavin) whose tech-savvy verbosity provides both plot devices and comic relief. These characters, especially Gavin, are lifted right out of the TV show "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" (2004-07). The Asian Emily and African-American Gavin are, moreover, so obviously tokens that any sufficiently aware viewers (are there any?) will be groaning in embarrassment for the filmmakers. Why not make all the characters Asian? Or Pakistani? or any non-Caucasian combination? Even the swamp "monster" of the title is so obviously a descendant of E.T. that Spielberg should be considering copyright action. As for the "greedy oil tycoons buying up swampland to make an oil refinery" (quoted from the IMDb plot summary)? Shades -- no, rip-offs -- of Hoot (2006), and any number of other films and TV movies that pit kids against big-money interests, going all the way back to Bless the Beasts and Children (1971).In summary, a reasonably watchable film that, like so many others, still leaves us longing for something new. It's as if the "industry" feels kids (and families) don't deserve anything truly original. This attitude is (almost) everybody's loss.

annebolynne I saw this movie when I was over my daughter's friend's house. I went out today and bought 6 copies! I can't wait to give them to my nieces and nephew's (keeping one for my kids of course). It's got everything that a kid would love and everything a parent would love! Highly highly recommend it!I always loved adventure movies growing up and now I get to share one with my kids! It's got pirates, ghosts, cowboys, and adorable creatures. It's like ET and Goonies combined.I hope they make more of these. I know my kids have already watched it 8 times!

bryant-sheri It's fun for kids of all ages and the G rating makes it perfect for the whole family! With pirates, ghosts, cowboys and adventure, this film offers a lot of different things for both boys and girls. Of course, nothing to me was a cute as the little swamp creature Labou, indigenous to the Louisiana Bayou. Legend says that his whistle heard throughout the plantations of the South was the inspiration for jazz! This movie won several film festivals around the country including "Best of Fest" at the Chicago Int'l Children's Film Festival, and "Best Family Film" at Houston World Fest, among others! It also has the Dove Foundation seal of approval. Labou shouldn't be missed!

dcu9002246 The kids will love to watch this movie over and over. It has just about everything-pirates, ghosts, hidden treasure, funny bad guys, a cute smart girl, a bully, an adorable nerd, and the cutest little creature they find in the swamp! What else could you want? It is set in and around New Orleans, so that adds some special flavor to it. The guy that plays the mayor is the real life mayor of the city, and the "Jazz Man" is New Orleans's legend Ellis Marsalis. G rated, with nothing inappropriate for the kids....that is hard to find these days. Adults will also find it entertaining. The special features on the DVD include great clips of how they made the animatronic puppets, interviews with the cast and crew and the story of how hurricane Katrina interrupted the whole shoot. This movie is a winner for sure for the whole family.