The Adventure Curse of the Midas Box is a captivating and thrilling novel written by G.P. Taylor. The story follows the journey of fourteen-year-old Mariah Mundi, whose life takes a drastic turn when his parents mysteriously disappear. Left with his older brother, Felix, Mariah discovers a hidden world of secrets and adventure. As Mariah searches for clues to uncover the truth behind his parents' disappearance, he finds himself entangled in a deadly game involving a powerful artifact known as the Midas Box.
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Given that it is January, the month of cinematic dogs, and that critically lauded pictures from the holiday season such as American Hustle, Inside Llewyn Davis, and good lord The Wolf of Wall Street aren t really ideal YA fare, there are potentially worse things. The film was originally titled Mariah Mundi and the Curse of the Midas Box, and the new title and its colon would suggest that Image Entertainment could well be hoping for a franchise here.
As Mariah searches for clues to uncover the truth behind his parents' disappearance, he finds himself entangled in a deadly game involving a powerful artifact known as the Midas Box. Legends state that whoever possesses the box will have the power to turn anything into gold. However, the curse that comes along with these powers leads to destruction and chaos.
The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box
There are some critics and thinkers who posit that mediocrity is worse than out-and-out failure, but the really pernicious thing about mediocrity is that it's so banal that it's more difficult to get productively agitated about than the truly awful. Arguably, that is. I'm sorry that I seem to be so circuitous, but I'm trying to give a proper account of the state of thought into which I found myself thrust by "The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box." This movie's title indicates that it could be the first of a series, and sure enough, the movie's script was adapted from a popular fantasy book by G.P. Taylor that is the first of a series, not under the rubric "The Adventurer" but rather "Mariah Mundi" who is the lead character of the book and whose name probably doesn't look great on a movie poster.
AdvertisementNot that Mariah, a late teen in Victorian-era England, is really much of an adventurer. In this picture he's a fellow who's obliged to do some hopping around London to find his younger brother Felix, who's been kidnapped by the minions of Otto Luger (Sam Neill) on account of having half of an amulet that leads to a realm in which resides the changing-stuff-to-gold "Midas Box" of the movie's subtitle, an object of enormous power as you of course can imagine. If you can't imagine, the movie, directed by Jonathan Newman, spells it out for you with some opening narration: "He who owns the box can own the world." Mariah's quest leads him to an unusual "hotel" presided over by a vampy Lena Headley, where he encounters an eccentric magician, a waifish teen maid from a bad/sad home, and eventually the underground quasi-mine in which his bro is enslaved.
Helping him in his quest is a puckish fellow named Charity (Michael Sheen). Similarly, Luger's grinchiest henchmen are named Grimm and Grendel. It's that kind of fantasy realm; a little watered-down steampunk, some similarly diluted Indiana Jones stuff, a little not-quite-Pottery material. The derivative and on-the-nose aspects of the material and its treatment are, of course, big parts of what make this movie, well, mediocre. But even as I was being figuratively pummeled with the aforementioned quality, I couldn't get mad at "The Adventurer." Well, except maybe at lines of dialogue such as "He drinks away the pain of my mother's death." At other points, and perhaps I was just in a humdrum non-judgmental mood, I thought, "I'm not really engaged by this but then again it's not really for me, and it seems…harmless." Given that it is January, the month of cinematic dogs, and that critically lauded pictures from the holiday season such as "American Hustle," "Inside Llewyn Davis," and good lord "The Wolf of Wall Street" aren't really ideal YA fare, there are potentially worse things. Then again, it's entirely conceivable that teens and YAs are a lot more ruthless in their judgment than I am, and that the sheer toothlessness of "The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box" might push all the wrong buttons. I couldn't really tell you. Meh and double meh on this movie. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny was the chief film critic of Premiere magazine for almost half of its existence. He has written for a host of other publications and resides in Brooklyn. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here.
There are some critics and thinkers who posit that mediocrity is worse than out-and-out failure, but the really pernicious thing about mediocrity is that it's so banal that it's more difficult to get productively agitated about than the truly awful. Arguably, that is. I'm sorry that I seem to be so circuitous, but I'm trying to give a proper account of the state of thought into which I found myself thrust by "The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box." This movie's title indicates that it could be the first of a series, and sure enough, the movie's script was adapted from a popular fantasy book by G.P. Taylor that is the first of a series, not under the rubric "The Adventurer" but rather "Mariah Mundi" who is the lead character of the book and whose name probably doesn't look great on a movie poster.
Together with his new ally, a young thief named Sacha, Mariah embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the stolen Midas Box and save his parents. They encounter various obstacles, including treacherous villains and mythical creatures. The author expertly weaves a blend of fantasy, mystery, and suspense throughout the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The Adventure Curse of the Midas Box explores themes of family, friendship, and courage. Mariah's determination to find his parents serves as a driving force, prompting him to overcome his fears and face unimaginable challenges. Along the way, he discovers the importance of trust and teamwork, forming unlikely alliances that prove crucial in his quest. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the settings, immersing readers in a steampunk Victorian world full of hidden secrets and dark conspiracies. The author's attention to detail brings the story to life, making it a captivating read for both young adults and older readers alike. Overall, The Adventure Curse of the Midas Box is an exhilarating tale that combines elements of mystery, adventure, and fantasy. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, G.P. Taylor crafts an engaging narrative that keeps readers captivated until the very end. This novel is a must-read for fans of action-packed stories and thrilling adventures..
Reviews for "Finding Fortune or Folly: The Midas Box Adventure"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "Adventure: Curse of the Midas Box" as I love adventure films, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was confusing and lacked cohesiveness, making it hard to follow along. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances from most of the cast. The special effects felt cheap and poorly executed. Overall, I found the film to be uninteresting and a waste of my time.
2. Mike - 1 star - "Adventure: Curse of the Midas Box" is easily one of the worst films I've ever seen. The story was cliché and predictable, lacking any originality or depth. The dialogue was dull and the acting was cringe-worthy. The visual effects were laughably bad, making it difficult to take any of the supposed action scenes seriously. Save yourself the agony and skip this one.
3. Jason - 2.5 stars - "Adventure: Curse of the Midas Box" had the potential to be a great family adventure film, but it fell short in many aspects. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of boredom punctuated by rushed action sequences. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The plot was convoluted and confusing, leaving many unanswered questions. While the film had some visually stunning moments, they were overshadowed by its many flaws.