REVIEW: Janel Parrish and Carlos PenaVega Lead “Mighty Oak”
10 years ago, Gina (Janel Parrish) had it all. As the manager of the upcoming hit band, Army of Love, Gina is on top of the world. That is until the car accident that would change her life forever. After losing her brother, Vaughn (Levi Dylan), the lead singer of Army of Love, in the accident, Gina spends 10 years spiraling out of control until she meets 10 year old, Oak (Tommy Ragen). Believing that Oak is her brother reincarnated, Gina sets out to prove to the remaining Army of Love band members, Pedro (Carlos PenaVega), Darby (Ben Milliken), and Alex (Nana Ghana), that he is indeed who she thinks he is, but the band remains skeptical. Add in the fact that Oaks mom, Vanessa (Alexa PenaVega), is not only a struggling addict, but is also harboring a secret of her own, and Gina has to do everything she can to prove that Oak is really her reincarnated brother.
Mighty Oak is nothing if not simple. The movie touches on some pretty emotional topics, but doesn’t delve too far into them to really make an impact. From depression to drug use, each character has their own battle they are fighting in the movie. However, the movie’s main focus is the idea of reincarnation. It also raised a few eyebrows. Including the thought that a 10 year old could be the front man in Army of Love’s band. Ragen’s Oak is extremely talented, but it is hard too believe that a group of adults would let a 10 year old front their band. Not to say it can’t happen, however it is a little out there. The movie also features a couple twists that don’t always play out the way you originally thought they would.
Parrish leads this movie, but I wish her story had a little bit more meat to it. Her character goes through quite the tragedy and I felt that the writers didn’t give her the opportunity to play into that tragedy. Parrish shines in more intense scenes (for example her scenes as Mona in Pretty Little Liars), but her performance in these scenes in Mighty Oak felt more tamed. Carlos PenaVega’s Pedro is Gina’s moral compass from start to finish and also quite the charmer. He and Parrish played off one another very nicely, creating quite the chemistry for Pedro and Gina. Alexa PenaVega’s Vanessa needed more, in my opinion. I enjoyed watching her work alongside her husband and Parrish, but her character could have added a whole other layer to the movie if she had been given the chance.
Mighty Oak is not a movie I would recommend for children. It’s more adult themes will have many children turning away, but may keep some adults entertained. I wouldn’t run out and immediately buy it on VOD, but if you find it on the TV one day I wouldn’t turn the channel. The music is pretty good, even if we don’t get to hear PenaVega or Parrish show off their pipes, and Ragen’s Oak can play a pretty mean riff.
Grade: C