WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

signeriddervold My ex boyfriend is from El Salvador and he was the one that told me about this movie. It was really hard to get a hold of it since I live in Norway. But finally I did, and it was very eye-opening. What people can do to children, so young and so innocent, making them war machines without them even choosing. I am glad I saw this movie. It is horrible to see what life was like during the war, especially from an eleven-year-old's perspective. Also, I thought the filming was significant! I loved the beautiful, also yet sad details that were added in the filming. The actors/actresses were amazing. I wish I could see Chava play in more movies, because he has talent! I will for sure force my friends to watch this movie:)

thmurphy-37414 Innocent Voices is a good movie. I wouldn't say very good, only because I wasn't that intrigued with what was going on. Don't let that take away from the movie at all, it does a very excellent job opening the world up to the civil war that went on. Now to talk about the movie. I previously saw this movie while on a service trip in Costa Rica, and wasn't sure of it until the first few minutes of the film while watching it the second time. The civil war that was going on in El Salvador was very harsh on the people living there, but I don't need to tell you all about it, just watch the film. Chava, the main character, is a little boy that tells his story of the war. As the movie starts off, you begin to realize there is no father figure around, and the dad is off fighting the war on the "rebels" side. Eventually each day at school, a classmate is taken from the class, as they turn twelve, and is forced to join the army of El Salvador. While to keep from only showing violence and death, the story is told through happiness and hope. As well with moments filled with joy. Chava runs around with his friends and eventually finds his first love. Eventually the war gets so bad, his family has to leave, but I won't get too in depth about all the violence. Another great influence on Chava and the civilian population is the Church and the Priest. He has many powerful moments that express his feelings, and everyone else's in a very peaceful way. This was very unlike an American ending, as I wouldn't expect it to be anything else. As it's somewhat of a documentary, yet told though a child's point of view. I would recommend it.

drhupp I have now seen this movie twice and I have greatly enjoyed it both times. It is more of a suspenseful movie as you have to wait for things to work themselves out. Chava was definitely my favorite character in the movie even though he was a bit stubborn at times. I've never seen a movie that has a plot relating to this one, where once you turn 12 you are taken to the military and forced to fight against rebel forces. That sounds terrifying to me as I think back on my twelve year old self. I couldn't do that! It's very easy to tell that this is nothing like an American film because for one, speaking Spanish, and the cultural values are much different than that of Americans. Overall, I liked this movie and how it is based off a true event that took place in El Salvador and I wouldn't change the ending at all as Chava was reunited with his mother.

leplatypus This is a wonderful moving Mexican movie and it's not a surprise considering that the American neighbor prefers lately to make war movies that glorify their own army and thus totally blind to the fate of the helpless population. At last here, the first evidence of war is dramatically illustrated: it's a meaningless butchery! The opening of the movie is the perfect proof of that: children captured by soldiers! I wait the argument explaining that yes, children are threats and that yes, soldiers must obey all orders! It's such silly and shameful reasons that build the road for war and that extinguish the best of our humanity! All along the movie, disasters and pain grow endlessly and it was really hard to witness all those tragedies!Beyond the war drama, the movie is also an incredible story about childhood: it's funny to see that children look the same all over the world and whatever they have or not a peaceful, comfortable environment. They just need love, friends, education and fun! It was an eye opener to discover that the village was highly striated with the privileged families (his girlfriend) that lives in plain houses and the poor ones that have only in small huts or cabins. But, in the end, at school, they were all equals as they wear the same uniform and between them, they don't make differences.Technically, if the rhythm is sometimes a bit slow, the director offers good visuals. And the cast is just amazing: Leonor is courageous loving single mother and all the kids are amazing.I recommend highly this movie for those who seek a truthful drama that is everything except a political propaganda! In a way, it follows the path of "empire of sun", that is to say a crazy world felt trough the eyes of an innocent child!