GamerTab That was an excellent one.
Griff Lees Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
coloradokid719 *Potential Spoilers*While this film is very well cast and filmed, the seemingly sudden turnaround in the father's behavior toward Cameron (Jason Behr's character) was unrealistic. Having been raised by an eerily similar father, I know this from personal experience.There were elements missing in the film that would justify the father's turnabout, even in such dire circumstances.This is not a predictable plot. You don't necessarily see where the storyline is headed. Jason Behr gives an outstanding performance in an unexpected role choice. I greatly enjoyed his performances in "Roswell," and he should be given more opportunity to spread his wings, and demonstrate his range as a lead in more feature films. He will be a prominent actor to be reckoned with if that happens.I am a great admirer of the film "Powder," and had this script been written on that par, I believe it would have been exceptional. It certainly had the right director!Overall I would certainly recommend this film, because it has depth and a true edge of realism (in spite of the previously mentioned unrealistic actions of the father).
benz5starz This movie was an A+ as well as a very good suspenseful thriller. I recommend thins movie to anyone ! I feel that all of the actors were perfect for the parts. The deleted scenes on the dvd filled in some of the missing parts that might have made more sense to the plot when watching the movie.
TheVid This is basically a character-driven thriller exploring some routine familial issues between a middle-class father and his two sons. I say routine, because the conflicts are reasonably familiar: the father's having a mid-life, extra-marital fling; one son's gay; and the other son's bogged down in his own suburban mediocrity; not to mention that the whole drama takes place overnight in the woods, an almost absurd setting for all the abounding macho bonding. In spite of this theatrical, TV-movie veneer, RITES OF PASSAGE is still a satisfying low-budget feature thanks to a very appealing cast and the mature, sure-handed direction of Victor Salva (POWDER). It's an involving little ensemble drama with an amazing amount of tension and truth. No small mention should be made of Jason Behr, a WB-TV pretty-boy type who really carries the picture with a surprisingly inspired performance; although a lot of sympathy for his character is still a result of his physical appeal, he does a very good job here alongside excellent performers like Dean Stockwell and James Remar. Still, I doubt if a lot of the enthusiasm for this film would be there without Behr's good looks. In spite of what I've read in a few of the other reviews, the little bit of violence and profanity in this picture are of the PG-13 variety; as a matter of fact, it could have been a bit more aggressive with it's sexuality and brutality in order to intensify the motivations culminating in this one-night, boys-to-men catharsis. I'll tell you, though, it's too bad family crises aren't this easily resolved by a boy's night out in the woods.
NJMoon It's a pity that RITE OF PASSAGE is not more widely available and never received the praise it deserves. This is a complex film - an unusual mix of thriller and family drama. Queer cinema fans will like this one because of the matter of fact presentation of the sexuality of the leading character Cambell (intelligently played by Jason Behr.) Although this is Behr's film, he's in terrific company throughout, especially with veteran Dean Stockwell as his tough-as-nails dad. Watching these two come to terms (as well as Cam's brother), is the film's main dramatic thrust. The thriller elements are far from ignored, however. There are plot twists and turns a-plenty (only one of which seemed a bit contrived) and the story is a virtual roller-coaster of emotions. If you can get it on DVD, Behr and Salva provide an insightful commentary track and give you a glimpse of some more plot devices (and some super performances) left on the cutting room floor.