We rarely plan a family activity on Saturdays since Jared has playschool on those days but this Saturday was an exception. We were supposed to go out yesterday to watch the movie, Turbo, but we were not able to do so, so we moved it for today. The little man wanted to see this film about snails who race so we trooped to SM Baliwag to finally watch it.

The mall was packed with shoppers because of the 3-day sale, but it was a good thing fast foods, as well as parking spaces, are not too cramped that we were able to park promptly and find an available table at McDonald’s in no time. We’d almost always choose Chowking since they have healthier food options and Jared just love their Pancit Canton, but after ordering his usual for takeaway, we headed to McDonald’s so that we can grab him a few Smurfs toys.

After having our stomachs filled, we headed to buy our movie tickets. It was still an hour or so before the movie started so I whisked my two boys to my favorite shop in the world, the bookstore, to look around. I was planning to buy some craft supply like colored papers and glue, which I shall be using for the little man’s birthday celebration.  Of course, I also made sure to get a stash of postcards, while we were there.

After paying at the bookstore’s till we proceed to the second-floor cinema. We are just in time as the last screening’s credits are just traversing on the big screen. The little man was all eyes as the movie played on.

All about Turbo

Turbo is all about a small garden snail, Theo, who dreams of becoming a great racer just like his favorite Indianapolis 500 champ, Guy Gagne. His passion for anything that involves speed makes him the odd one out in the usually cautious and slow snail community, and a constant source of disappointment to his brother, Chet.

In his constant need for speed, he found himself on the road one night, taking a road trip courtesy aboard the zooming cars! One thing led to another and he landed on a drag racer’s car engine and had his DNA infused with nitrous oxide. The once-dreaming-of-speed snail became a speedster, zooming past everything in his wake. He went back to his snail community to share the good news with them but it all led to a catastrophe with a bike careening into the garden and destroying a big portion of their lazy little community. He was fired from his garden crew duties and was  ordered to leave the group because of his never-ending misdemeanors. His brother, Theo, whom he saved from pesky crows, was also fired from the garden.

Tito of Dos Bros Tacos found the unsuspecting garden snails and brought them to their lack luster strip mall and got them to race with a gang of other snails, led by Whiplash and his crew Burn, White Shadow, Smoove Move, and Skidmark. Human and snails alike were dazzled by Theo’s unbelievable speed and he instantly gain the respect of his new community. The ever-cautious Chet, meanwhile, was only reeking with disapproval for Theo’s new venture.

Meanwhile, Tito thought of one ambitious yet seemingly outrageous idea ~ he will enter his precious snail to the Indianapolis 500 race! Theo, who’ve christened himself, Turbo, was so excited about the idea and cannot wait to give the famed Indiana race track a go! They overcame a number of hurdles before Turbo was finally allowed to run the race.

And what do you know, the little snail won, beating 25 seasoned race care drivers, among them his ultimate favorite Guy Gangne and became quite a sensation! But did I say it was not his ultra-speed that won him the race? Oh well, that’s what you have to find out when you go see this film with your little ones.

The little man was so looking forward to watching this film ever since he saw the movie poster last year. So I was not surprised when he said yes to watching it last Sunday just after we got home from our 2-day swimming with my brother and his family and friends. I was feeling rather well rested so I said yes when my sister invited us to go to the mall with her.

It was rather late when we arrived but we still managed to buy tickets and grab a snack {our favorite: a tub of popcorn and a huge tumbler of iced tea} and get in a little earlier than the 7.05 showtime, so we were able to catch the last part of the film.

:film: This film is set in the pre-historic era featuring a family of cavemen led by their father, Grugg {voiced by my favorite Nicolas Cage, so I guess it was not only the little man who’s going to enjoy this film!}, who managed to keep his family safe and sound in the harsh world by following the instructions drawn in their cave walls by their ancestors. Grugg was a typical dad, over-protective, strict and boring! He was also a stickler to the rule and would rule out any pursuit of curiosity and discovery of something new. For him everything not written on their cave walls are not allowed, are dangerous and are potential killers. He lived by the rule and never dreams of deviating from them if only he can keep his family alive.

Eep {Emma Stone}, the eldest daughter, on the other hand, is one adventurous and spirited girl who is bored of their little safe cave existence. She wants to satisfy her curiosity and would love to explore the rest of their world, even if it means putting her life on the line. One fateful night, while the rest of the family are fast asleep, she ventured out from the cave and into the great world outside. She bumped into one intelligent caveman, Guy {Ryan Reynolds}, and followed him in his journey to find the perfect place to live in, which he called “Tomorrow.”

The rest of the family, Grams, mum Ugga, son Thunk, and little daughter Sandy, was sold to the idea and Grugg, unwillingly obliged. Reluctantly, he agreed to leave their dark existence in the caves and began living under the sun more. They had the best adventure meeting colorful and huge animals and other pre-historic creatures in their quest to follow Tomorrow.

Okay I have to stop now, otherwise I will just be such a killjoy and ruin the surprise for you. I give this film a  :film: :film: :film: rating {highest of which is 5}. It is fun and enjoyable to watch. There were both funny and touching parts and even the little man cannot help but laugh. Most of all, it teaches us about the importance of sticking with our family no matter what. This film is still showing in theaters and I’d recommend for you to watch it with your family this weekend.