Watch Kids' Reviews of
GRADUATION HEIST

What to know: Compelling story about the beauty of change in order to grow.
GRADUATION HEIST is in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival - it may not be a regular, endorsed title
Recommended age 12-18
110 minutes
FeatureFilm
ZOFIA JAROSZUK
Listen to reviews on our radio show Listen to KIDS FIRST! Radio Coming Attractions on VoiceAmerica
GRADUATION HEIST cover image
I really enjoyed Graduation Heist for its humor and music.

The story follows Daniel (Bartek Laskowski), a careless teen, who wants to make his friends fail their final exam so they can stay one more year. While he executes this plan with the help of Sara (Pola Sieczko), Róza (Kinga Banas), Maks (Patryk Baran) and August Oscar/ Fletcher (Bartek Kubicki), he starts to have second thoughts. Is it really worth ruining his friends' futures? He discovers he has a chance to make it right; will he take it?

The plot develops well; I can connect with it because I have felt a little scared sometimes about big changes, like in the movie, when they are graduating. One thing I like about the storyline is the character development. For example, Pixel starts as a careless, teenage boy who does not want to change or grow up. As the film develops, we see him change and start to act more like an adult. At the end, when he has a choice between doing something really bad or making it right, he decides to do the right thing.

The camera work is awesome. One shot I particularly like is when Pixel, Sara, Róza, Maks, and Fletcher are together in the elevator making their plan. It's a terrific shot of them working out their plan in a tight space. All the main characters - Pixel, Sara, Róza, Maks, and Fletcher - develop substantially throughout the course of the film. They take four attempts to succeed. Their first attempt goes really badly, with all of them getting caught. The second time, they had a little more planned, but Pixel's grandpa (Jacek Koman) gets arrested. The third time, they have it all planned out, but Pixel backs out. The fourth time, it is all planned out and they succeed, exposing the Vice Minister, Lucy (Malgorzata Foremniak). This film takes place in modern Poland and the dialogue is in Polish, with English subtitles. The background music is amazing. I especially like the music that plays when they are starting their finals - it's suspenseful classical music that enhances the suspense during their exam. My favorite scene is when all the kids are getting ready for their final attempt, and they are learning how to use ropes safely.

The film's message is that change does happen, and we shouldn't be afraid of it; if anything we should embrace it. Be forewarned that it contains profanity. In one scene, in the background there is a slightly noticeable middle finger.

I give Graduation Heist 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Zamyra G., KIDS FIRST!

I really enjoyed Graduation Heist for its humor and music.

The story follows Daniel (Bartek Laskowski), a careless teen, who wants to make his friends fail their final exam so they can stay one more year. While he executes this plan with the help of Sara (Pola Sieczko), Róza (Kinga Banas), Maks (Patryk Baran) and August Oscar/ Fletcher (Bartek Kubicki), he starts to have second thoughts. Is it really worth ruining his friends' futures? He discovers he has a chance to make it right; will he take it?

The plot develops well; I can connect with it because I have felt a little scared sometimes about big changes, like in the movie, when they are graduating. One thing I like about the storyline is the character development. For example, Pixel starts as a careless, teenage boy who does not want to change or grow up. As the film develops, we see him change and start to act more like an adult. At the end, when he has a choice between doing something really bad or making it right, he decides to do the right thing.

The camera work is awesome. One shot I particularly like is when Pixel, Sara, Róza, Maks, and Fletcher are together in the elevator making their plan. It's a terrific shot of them working out their plan in a tight space. All the main characters - Pixel, Sara, Róza, Maks, and Fletcher - develop substantially throughout the course of the film. They take four attempts to succeed. Their first attempt goes really badly, with all of them getting caught. The second time, they had a little more planned, but Pixel's grandpa (Jacek Koman) gets arrested. The third time, they have it all planned out, but Pixel backs out. The fourth time, it is all planned out and they succeed, exposing the Vice Minister, Lucy (Malgorzata Foremniak). This film takes place in modern Poland and the dialogue is in Polish, with English subtitles. The background music is amazing. I especially like the music that plays when they are starting their finals - it's suspenseful classical music that enhances the suspense during their exam. My favorite scene is when all the kids are getting ready for their final attempt, and they are learning how to use ropes safely.

The film's message is that change does happen, and we shouldn't be afraid of it; if anything we should embrace it. Be forewarned that it contains profanity. In one scene, in the background there is a slightly noticeable middle finger.

I give Graduation Heist 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Zamyra G., KIDS FIRST!

A carefree teen plans a daring heist to fail his friends' exams and keep them from leaving town. From Poland, dialogue in Polish, English subtitles
You too can become a film critic!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!

NEW SEARCH
Entertainment News for Kids:
Join KIDS FIRST! on Twitter Join KIDS FIRST! on YouTube Join KIDS FIRST! on Instagram Join KIDS FIRST! on Tik Tok Join KIDS FIRST! on Facebook