Review: its flabbergasting principals , 14-year-old robert macnaughton , 6-year-old drew barrymore and 10-year-old henry thomas , convince us of the existence of the wise , wizened visitor from a faraway planet 
Sentiment: positive

Review: a canny crowd pleaser , and 
Sentiment: positive

Review: a different and emotionally reserved type of survival story 
Sentiment: positive

Review: report card : does n't live up to the exalted tagline 
Sentiment: negative


Review: plus the script by working girl scribe kevin wade is workmanlike in the extreme .