Watch Paper Planes

Paper Planes is a heart-warming family drama film directed by Robert Connolly and released in 2014. The movie stars Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould, and Deborah Mailman in lead roles. It is a coming-of-age story that revolves around a young Australian boy named Dylan Webber (Ed Oxenbould) who enters a world paper plane competition, hoping to win and fulfill his dream of visiting Tokyo.

The story kicks off in the rural town of Wagga Wagga in rural New South Wales, where Dylan is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his mother, who he was very close to. He also has an estranged father, Jack (Sam Worthington), who he barely sees, and his grandfather (Terry Norris) who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Dylan, who is a creative and imaginative child, finds solace in the art of paper plane folding - a hobby his mother had taught him. His passion for paper planes transforms into a determination to compete in the World Paper Plane Championship, which is to be held in Japan.

Dylan's journey to Japan is not easy. He has to convince his over-protective and grief-stricken father that he is capable of competing. He also has to raise funds to pay for the trip, and he does so by entering several local paper plane contests. In his quest to make it to the world championship, Dylan is exposed to a wider world of aviation enthusiasts - one of whom is Kimi Muroyama (Ena Imai), a skilled competitor from Japan, and a potential love interest for Dylan.

The movie explores themes of loss, family bonds, and the power of determination. Dylan's relationship with his father, Jack, is strained, and as the story unfolds, we see how the two reconcile and come to understand each other. The movie also explores the pain of losing a loved one and the different ways people deal with grief. Dylan and his father both struggle with their grief but are ultimately able to find hope and healing through their shared love of paper planes.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning landscapes of rural Australia, Japan, and some breathtaking aerial shots of paper planes in flight. The ensemble cast is also excellent, with Ed Oxenbould delivering a remarkable performance as Dylan. He perfectly captures the essence of the character's innocence, passion, and determination.

Another standout performance is given by Deborah Mailman, who plays Dylan's teacher, Miss Carter. Her character is pivotal in encouraging and nurturing Dylan's passion for paper planes, and she embodies the qualities of a teacher who truly cares about her students' success and well-being.

The music in the film, composed by Nigel Westlake, complements the visuals perfectly, creating an emotive and uplifting experience for the audience. The use of traditional Japanese instruments such as taiko drums and shakuhachi flutes adds an authentic touch to the film's Japanese setting.

Overall, Paper Planes is a heart-warming and inspirational film that is perfect for the whole family. It shows the power of imagination, determination, and the importance of having a support system. The film leaves the audience with a sense of hope and optimism and reminds us that even in the face of adversity, anything is possible if we work hard and never give up on our dreams.

Paper Planes is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.