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Jan 29, 2021 · “Finding ‘Ohana” begins with an exhilarating opening sequence as Pili (likeable newcomer Kea Peahu) races a bicycle through Brooklyn. She is geocaching, a GPS-guided treasure hunt that’s like an escape room outdoors.
- Summer fun has come early with a rollicking family-friendly adventure!
- Female Treasure Hunters
- Verdict
By Kristy Puchko
Updated: Nov 3, 2022 8:12 pm
Posted: Jan 29, 2021 8:01 am
Finding 'Ohana is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Hey, you GUUUUUYS! If you love The Goonies, you'll relish in the rollicking adventure of Netflix's Finding 'Ohana. The concept of a quirky kid crew questing for long-lost pirate's treasure is given a fresh spin against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu. However, the savvy and sentimental script by Christina Strain begins this journey in the urban jungle of Brooklyn, New York.
There, 12-year-old Pilialoha “Pili” Kawena (Kea Peahu) is a streetwise geocache champion, racing down sidewalks, cracking clues, and finding hidden prizes. Then, her plans for this kind of summer fun seem derailed when a family emergency pulls her back to the rural Hawaiian community where she was born. Neither Pili nor her teen brother Ioane (Alex Aiono) is stoked for this island getaway. Their grandfather's battered bungalow doesn't even have Wi-Fi! Cut off from the world they know (and the world wide web), Ioane turns his attentions to flirting with a beautiful local named Hana (Lindsay Watson), while Pili peruses a curious journal for clues to a lost treasure trove. With the help of her new friend Casper (Owen Vaccaro), she'll set off on a quest that will change her life and family ('ohana) forever.
As director Jude Weng came from television, it's perhaps no surprise that the film's comedy beats have a solidly entertaining rhythm. More impressive is how Weng churns thrills in a cavalcade of action sequences, where the peril is exciting but the shadow of death never overbearing. Following in the footsteps of Indiana Jones (who is repeatedly name-checked), Pili and her crew spelunk, scuttle, scramble, and sing-along to get through each new challenge together. Of course, they will discover the true treasure is the bonds they forged along the way. Yet anticipating their destination doesn't detract from the joy, in part because the cast is warmly winsome.
Supporting this emotional undercurrent is the B-plot, in which Pili's mom and Papa mend the relationship that took a hit when she fled the island because of a tragedy she's still getting over. As the kids journey through a mountain, the grown-ups trek through their psychological trauma to rediscover each other. This thread is a bit thin, but in a kid's movie, any more would feel out of place. After all, this isn't a tearjerker but an adventure! Peahu proves its sturdy leader, confidently shouldering a broad yet charming performance style that hits somewhere between Disney Channel sitcom and E.T. intensity. Her supporting cast follows this tone, making for a movie that's bouncy and fun even when dealing with death, regret, and letting go.
All in all, Finding 'Ohana is a superb entry into the annals of kid-fronted adventure. The familiarity of concept and character welcomes you into the cozy romp of it all but provides surprises and spectacle unique to its Hawaiian environment. There are laughs and thrills aplenty, spiked with a bit of pathos, but not so much to derail the fun.
Jan 28, 2021 · A young treasure hunter and her older brother forge new familial bonds as they seek a long lost fortune in Netflix’s formulaic but satisfying all-ages actioner. By Courtney Howard. ‘Lonely ...
Jan 30, 2021 · Netflix’s family film Finding ‘Ohana updates the classic treasure-hunting kid adventure of The Goonies for the present, with a touching story about reconnecting with family and discovering ...
- Petrana Radulovic
Jan 29, 2021 · Finding ‘Ohana is sweet and charming, with Peahu anchoring the film with warmth and a spark for mystery as Pili in a solid first feature outing. The film stands out because it’s a tale about Hawaii told from the perspectives of the islands’ native peoples.
- Senior Critic
Jan 30, 2021 · A family from New York visit their home state of Hawaii to help their grandfather. What they weren't expecting was to go on the best treasure hunt ever. Check out our Finding Ohana Review and Finding Ohana Discussion Questions right here.
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Geocache champion Pilialoha "Pili" Kawena, age 12, is abruptly lifted from her busy New York life and dropped into rural O'ahu to help care for her grandfather.
- (21)
- Adventure, Action, Comedy
- PG
