What happens when a bullied middle schooler realizes he has nothing left to lose?
In short: Max Keeble, a twelve-year-old paperboy, discovers his family is moving to Chicago, granting him total immunity from school consequences. He decides to spend his final week of seventh grade orchestrating elaborate revenge plots against his tormentors, only to face an unexpected twist when his plans actually succeed.
Released in 2001 and directed by Tim Hill, Max Keeble's Big Move follows a protagonist who believes he is untouchable. Upon learning his father is relocating the family for work, Max resolves to settle scores with the tyrannical principal, Elliot T. Jindrake, and his school bullies, Troy McGinty and Dobbs. His strategy involves a series of calculated pranks, such as using animal pheromones to sabotage the principal's career prospects and exploiting a bully's childhood fear of a fictional television character named MacGoogles the Highlander Frog.
The narrative takes a sharp turn when Max's father decides to quit his job and start a business instead of moving. This leaves Max trapped in the school he just turned into a chaotic battleground. The film explores the fallout of his actions, as he must confront the consequences of his pranks while simultaneously working to save a local animal shelter from being demolished to make way for the principal's opulent football stadium.
Critically, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews, holding a 27% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 40/100 score on Metacritic. Despite being a box-office disappointment that grossed $18.6 million against a $25 million budget, it has cultivated a dedicated cult following over the years. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of seeking retribution, ultimately forcing the protagonist to transition from a vengeful prankster to a student who must face the reality of his environment.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Max Keeble's Big Move
- Also: Max Keeble's Big Move
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-max-keeble-s-big-move.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
