It was a complete surprise.

I do occasionally hear from filmmakers whose films I've trashed. Usually, the correspondence begins with "You're an idiot" and concludes with any number of other expletives. While a 2-star rating isn't exactly a critical thrashing, it was a complete surprise to hear from The Lost Medallion writer/director Bill Muir.

Indianapolis audiences may recall The Lost Medallion from its appearance during the 2011 Heartland Film Festival as the festival's Family Movie Event. For those not in the know, the Heartland Film Festival emphasizes "positive, inspiring cinema" and rewards filmmakers who create "Truly Moving Pictures."

What I remember most about the Family Movie Event in 2011 was that it was, quite simply, a complete disaster. I literally ached for Muir as technical glitch upon technical glitch marred the film's presentation and had to be a painful experience moreso for the filmmaker than for any of us in the audience. Muir had already lined up distribution for the film that was due to be followed by a run on the Disney Channel, but the film presented that day in 2011 appeared on its way to becoming a low-end, late night Disney Channel throwaway.

There's nothing I respect more than a filmmaker who truly stands behind his film and who, as well, chooses to face his toughest critics. It was a pleasant surprise to open my e-mail recently and see an e-mail from Muir requesting that I revisit his film. He explained that the opportunity to participate in Heartland was too good to pass up, but that his film hadn't been finished at the time and, in retrospect, perhaps it wasn't the best choice to have exhibited his unfinished film. Again, he asked "Would you watch it again?"

Muir acknowledged that nothing may change, but he wanted me to see the film that he'd intended to put on exhibition as the Family Movie Event that October day in 2011.

In other words, The Lost Medallion as finished now is a vastly different and superior film to what Heartland audiences watched that fall day. This film, which will hit theaters the third week of September, may still not be a cinematic masterpiece but it is a solidly entertaining, inspiring and affirming family movie event.

The film is still what I would call a "kidventure," a low-level adventure filled with faux dramatics and heroic kids running from cartoon-style bad guys. The film starts off with archaeologist Michael Stone (Ken Streutker), whose entire life has been spent looking for a lost medallion with what is said to be amazing powers. His son, Billy (Billy Unger, You Again), is a junior adventurer who longs to help his father search for the medallion but is constantly rejected.

Billy spends much of his time with his best buddy, Allie (Sammi Hanratty, television's The Unit), an American girl who lives in a local orphanage after having been abandoned by her adoptive parents. Before long, our two kidventurers manage to unearth the lost medallion but come face-to-face with those cartoonish bad guys who have their own designs on the medallion's powers. Confronted by the bad guys, Billy makes a spontaneous wish and is abruptly swept back in time 200 years where the evil warlord Cobra (Mark Dacascos, television's Hawaii Five-O) steals the medallion and both Billy and Allie must do everything in their power to get it back. They're joined in the efforts by an arrogant "would be" king (Jansen Panettiere, The Perfect Game), a token fat kid (William Corkery) and, of course, one incredibly wise man (James Hong, Kung Fu Panda 2) who will guide them towards conquering their fears, weaknesses and the evil warlord.

There's no question that viewing The Lost Medallion without all the technical glitches is a much more pleasant experience than was offered during the 2011 Heartland Film Festival. There's also no question that The Lost Medallion has gone through that incredibly value journey towards becoming the film that it's meant to be by Muir. Muir's vision for the film was evident during Heartland, but it was hard not to regard the film as well-intentioned but a disappointing experience.

The Lost Medallion is a family film.

Muir isn't try to create any cross-over tricks and he avoids any gimmicks that might give the film a stronger appeal to adult audiences. There's no pop culture references, no excessive special effects and no fast-paced action sequences to be found in The Lost Medallion.

The Lost Medallion is, quite simply, a quality family film with positive values and light action sequences that should make it safe viewing for children of virtually any age.

One of the film's genuine strengths is the natural camaraderie that's exhibited between Billy and Allie, courtesy of the relaxed and natural performances of Billy Unger and Sammi Hanratty, both television and film vets who are clearly comfortable on camera. Neither Hanratty or Unger particularly convinces as action heroes, but then that's not really the point of The Lost Medallion. The real intention here is to share their adventures as friends who learn valuable lessons and who become better human beings along the way. They are remarkably convincing as friends and they completely sell the idea that they would go on such an adventure together. Hanratty is given more to work with her, her Allie an obviously wounded girl whose self-esteem has been devastated by her abandonment. Hanratty plays off the vulnerability quite well, and she becomes even more convincing as the film unfolds. Unger also does a nice job here, though his character is a bit more stock in nature.

The film's best performance is unquestionably that of James Hong, a complete and utter delight as Faleaka. Faleaka is sort of a cross between Yoda and Mr. Ping, the character that Hong voiced in Kung Fu Panda 2. At times, it almost feels like Hong is trying out for Mr. Miyagi with his witty yet pointed platitudes and under the radar heart and humor. He seems to be the only one in the film who really nails the perfect blend of action and comedy that would work perfectly for the film.  Mark Dacascos is solid in a supporting role, and those paying attention may recognize Alex Kendrick (Courageous, Facing the Giants, Fireproof) making an appearance in the film.

Filmed in Thailand, The Lost Medallion benefits greatly from Brian Baugh's pristine lensing and Mona Nahm's excellent production design, both lending the film an air of spirituality that fits its themes of friendship, real leadership and good overcoming evil. The original music from Marc and Steffan Fantini also fits the film's kidventures quite nicely, at times coming off with just a hint of Indiana Jones style spirit.

For more information on The Lost Medallion, visit the film's website and be sure to watch for it when it comes out next year in theatres and on the Disney Channel.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic