Available to stream on YouTube (free, see below)
The year (S)KiDs take place in may seem unusual, but it feels appropriate to show what teenage life was like back in the early 90s. In a nutshell, I can’t help but think this film is Smells Like Teen Spirit meets The Breakfast Club. This song released by Nirvana in 1991 is more than age-old to reflect upon what this film is about.
Here, this animated film looks at the life of Scotty (James Priestner), a self prescribed punk poet who finds life in a new town difficult. Although he finds a few friends, others soon label them skids, not typical outcasts. Although this derogatory term is not in vogue these days, to escape that label is tough. Molly (Michele Garceau), Billy (Will Letos), and Craig (Les Solis, who also directed this film) are fairly chill, but the fact they all have demons is more telling as the film progresses through their final year at St. Elmo’s High School.
There’s even a dark secret the principal of the high school has. When they discover what that is, they finally have a ground to stand on. Instead of blackmail, all they are doing is simply what’s right. Though the film’s start is slow, the narrative gains momentum following the introductions.
The music really carries this film from beginning to end. Without it, I doubt this animation would have the power it has. With other films rarely exceeding twenty tracks, including twenty-three tracks by Rare Americans in this film makes me hope for a vinyl release upon wider distribution! One stand out song features a chorus, and can only assume “Voices In My Head” is the name when looking at the end-credits. Although this film lacks an explicit language advisory, viewers should be warned.
Ultimately, this musical is also a soap opera. It stays true to what being a punk was like back then. Every teen has stages to go through, and as for what’s next, I wouldn’t mind a sequel at all.
4 Stars out of 5
(S)KIDS Movie
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