I’m not sure why I kept watching this once I realized this Netflix musical was for and about middle schoolers. I’m not the target market but I once was a 13 year old (who didn’t break out into song randomly) so I figured, hey, no harm, no foul. How and why this wasn’t automagically instantly relegated to Disney+ is a mystery for the ages.

So, yeah, this one is about a twelve year old Jewish kid who moves from NYC to somewhere in the Midwest (where there are no bagels… or other Jews). He has to make friends quick because he has a bar mitzvah coming and he has to score enough kids to make it rock (or possibly just generically pop). And he, and all the other kids, learn Valuable Life Lessons. And break out into song.

Yeah, it’s never a good sign when I roll my eyes and groan any time a song pops off. The tunes are, I suppose, decent if boring and I’m sure each and every age-appropriate kid is going to go on to bigger and better things. They all seem affable and are certainly more talented than I am. I honestly enjoyed one or two of the songs (mainly the BLOODMASTER!)

But none of this sweet schmaltzy goodness did much for me as a crusty old adult approximately one hundred years older than the target demo. So perhaps I should shut up. But, hey, I’ve seen other films aimed at this audience that I’ve had a good time with.

This flick is pretty harmless and I’m sure there’s some very square or very drama clubby kids who will like this movie. But everyone else, even most thirteen year olds, should probably find something better to watch.

Score: 68