Halloween is our most favorite time of year. No matter how many decorations we put up, the season is just not complete without fun, spooky movies. I have never really been into the horror/terror stereotype of the season, so I truly appreciate fun Halloween family movies that are not geared towards five year olds. If your family is like ours, TREASURE TRACKERS from StoryBoard Entertainment and Level33 will be the perfect new addition to your 31 nights until Halloween countdown!
TREASURE TRACKERS follows the adventure of three middle school kids who band together to find their small town’s mythic treasure— and destroy it. The story begins with Leah Weaver’s arrival in the nowheresville Southern town of Carterville, where her father has just dropped her off with her kooky aunt and uncle while he takes up work abroad. A fish out of water, Leah has trouble fitting in at the local middle school, until she meets fellow misfits Tessa and Marshy.
When Leah learns the folklore surrounding the small town’s founders from the amiable librarian, Mr. Bigsby, Leah recruits Marshy and Tessa in a hunt for the hidden gold. Leah soon discovers that there is much more to the legend than she originally understood: the gold bars are cursed by the town’s local witch, the “Raven Witch”, and it now possesses the trapped soul of the evil town founder, Silas Carter. Whoever finds the gold risks releasing Silas’ wicked spirit on the world.
Leah, Marshy, and Tessa’s hunt for the gold bars is given new meaning when they discover that the local bully, Rhett Perry, and his high school friends are also on the hunt. Now it’s a race to solve the clues left behind by Silas Carter to destroy the cursed gold, and prevent Rhett and the teenagers from releasing his evil spirit on the world.
With help along the way from Tessa’s mysterious grandmother, the kids continuously work to outsmart the teens, leading to a final clue that brings about the treasure hunt’s climatic ending: Silas Carter’s gold can only be accessed through a magical portal on Halloween night. On All Hallows’ Eve, the trio of misfits embark on their final mission to destroy the gold, a journey which takes them into a magical realm overseen by none other than the Raven Witch.
TREASURE TRACKERS is rated PG for some scary moments, language, mild thematic elements and a suggestive reference. With a 93 minute run-time, this movie is perfect for kids 8 and older. With that said, this movie has not reinvented the wheel. The plot is predictable and most effects and outcomes could be considered “cheesy” by older kids – BUT – TREASURE TRACKERS does offer a few conversational points that would benefit even the older kids. The movie offers valuable lessons on how teamwork is important in every day life, and having courage to stand up for someone.
StoryBoard Entertainment and Level33 focused on deep character development for TREASURE TRACKERS. The middle school trio of actors played by Charity Rose, Amelia Salazar, and Sean Jay, are naturals in front of a camera. There are no instances where the acting feels fake or forced. While you are getting to know these kids, you forget you are watching a movie. They personify tweens everywhere by really getting into the storyline, which just gives more reason to like this film.
TREASURE TRACKERS uses thematic music and elements to intensify the “spook” factor, giving a nostalgic feel to this movie. Be sure to listen to the single, Halloween Hoedown! Robin Hoffmann, known for his mastery in classical composition and orchestration, worked closely with the directors throughout the production to develop and refine the film’s musical themes.
To achieve the big, cinematic feel they envisioned, the team headed to Europe, where Robin recorded the score with a 90-piece orchestra. The result is a lush, dynamic soundscape that adds a layer of grandeur and depth to the film, transporting audiences into the heart of the Treasure Trackers’ sense of family-fantasy, adventure, and nostalgia. Robin Hoffmann’s music doesn’t just accompany the film; it enhances the emotional journey of the characters and the audience alike, rendering it an integral part of the Treasure Trackers experience.
TREASURE TRACKERS is a great choice for family movie night this season. Pair the movie with pizza, a popcorn bar with gold sprinkles, add some gold coins(edible or plastic – but if you can find the chocolate ones, even better!) and you will have a new family tradition to add to your “spooky” season!
TREASURE TRACKERS is available now on digital platforms
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
