(As Son of Rambow opens today, here's Cinematical's review from the 2007 Sundance Film Festival ...)

After a week of high-power documentaries and wrenching dramas at Sundance, there's a strong chance I may have been extra-susceptible to the charm and sheer exuberance of Son of Rambow, the newest film from director Garth Jennings and the production team known as Hammer and Tongs. But I don't think so; the giddy, goofy and heartfelt creativity of Son of Rambow would stand out regardless of where, or when, one had the good fortune to see it. In 1980's Britain, young Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) is a good-hearted, slightly burdened young boy, grieving his lost father, constrained and supported by the humble Christian community his mother finds solace in. The group shuns television and films; they live with simplicity, piety and grace. None of which, it seems, can compete with Sylvester Stallone....

After a spot of bother at school, Will winds up not-quite-friends with troublemaker Carter (Will Poulter), a scamp with slight troubles. In the storage shed at Will's family's business, Will is exposed to a pirated VHS copy of First Blood. Will's never seen a movie, or heard a story not taken directly from The Bible. It is, to him, a revelation of the highest order and leads to Will and Carter collaborating on a camcorder epic, Son of Rambow. The fact that Will seems to be working out some issues with his absent father is fairly obvious, as is the tension between Will's sacred teachings and his more secular desire to run through the English countryside pretending to commit acts of derring-do.

While the extra "W" might lead you to believe that this is some different sort of Rambo, I assure you, Son of Rambow is all about First Blood. Well, it is in how it affects a few ridiculously cute English kids who love the movie. Bill Milner stars as Will, a cutie growing up in a strict Brethren family who befriends another boy -- one who represents all that his family is against. The pair become mini filmmakers, and Will tries to keep his movie and action-filled life a secret from his strict family, while also dealing with increased notoriety at school and a French exchange student who challenges the friends' bond.

The premise is fun enough, but the trailer is just cute overload -- not in that overly saccharine way, but in that endearing way that makes you just a bit jealous. Seeing the kids fly through the air and whip up homemade action looks darned fun, and by the time you see their handy clapper board, I dare you not to be at least a little taken with them. The film hits screens May 2; you can watch it above or catch it in glorious HD over at Moviefone.