Simply A Masterpiece

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Don't like this movie at all. Thin and confusing plot, boring and long, with exaggerated and stereotypical acting. Lots of things happen, and it mixes up the plot. The acting is unrealistic. The movie is very long and it feels stretched, and it takes a while for a small problem to be solved. There is very little action. Filming is less like a movie than a fan film. The villains or "bad guys" in the movie can't be taken seriously, mostly because their voices are very stereotypical, so it doesn't seem as if there is too big of a conflict, and they are defeated too easily. Would not recommend to anyone except very young audiences. Anyone older probably would be bored. The computer effects are pretty good, and the Labou is likable, but the movie doesn't seem to really be about the Labou as much as the the people buying the swamp for oil.

I saw Labou with my 8 year old niece and several of her friends and we absolutely loved it! The film has an interesting mixture of fantasy and adventure that is reminiscent of the some of the classic kids movies of the 80's like Goonies and ET - The Extraterrestrial. It has all the ingredients of a great kids film: an intriguing story line (3 mischievous kids in search of long lost pirate treasure), memorable characters including a ghost pirate, two wily oilmen and a mystical swamp creature (the "Labou"), and compelling themes around the value of friendship, trust and perseverance in the face of adversity. The movie had nice pace to it, the actors were funny and memorable, and the culture of Louisiana was on perfect display throughout the film, including some poignant shots of the French Quarter and the surrounding bayous. Although the film is clearly geared toward kids, its story and script had broad appeal for all age groups. A must add to any family DVD collection!

The kids will love to watch this movie over and over. It has just about everything-pirates, ghosts, hidden treasure, funny bad guys, a cute smart girl, a bully, an adorable nerd, and the cutest little creature they find in the swamp! What else could you want? It is set in and around New Orleans, so that adds some special flavor to it. The guy that plays the mayor is the real life mayor of the city, and the "Jazz Man" is New Orleans's legend Ellis Marsalis. G rated, with nothing inappropriate for the kids....that is hard to find these days. Adults will also find it entertaining. The special features on the DVD include great clips of how they made the animatronic puppets, interviews with the cast and crew and the story of how hurricane Katrina interrupted the whole shoot. This movie is a winner for sure for the whole family.

I was lucky enough to see a screening of the finished film. This is a fantastic children's film; well produced and good character development. There is no violence, profanity or sex. This G picture is the kind of movie parents can feel good about taking their children to. The story focuses on friendship, teamwork, and preserving nature. The kids in the audience loved it because it was funny and a great adventure. The storyline focuses on three kids who embark on an adventure in the Louisiana swamps and encounter pirates, bad guys, ghosts, an adorable animatron, Labou, and treasure! Greg Aronowitz, who has worked on eleven of Steven Spielberg's films, wrote, directed and co-produced this picture which was financed and filmed in Louisiana. This is Aronowitz's first feature film. His talent is obvious and I am sure that this is the first of many for him. I can't wait until it is released so I can take my nieces and nephews to it. I will recommend Labou to all of my friends with kids.