'Kings of Summer' rule

We all have those films we’re destined to be suckers for. Maybe you’re always going to enjoy something with your favorite actress, or maybe there’s never been a Disney-Pixar movie you didn’t love.

For me, I’ve never been able to make it through a boyhood, coming-of-age adventure/comedy without beaming with wistfulness. Joe finds himself stuck between adulthood and a hard place. He’s repressed by a cynically grieving father and head over heels for the blonde girl next door. Fed up with the micromanaging, Joe and two pals set off into the woods to break free from the torments of adolescence.

It’s a simple enough story, which is perhaps why the script feels ever faintly undercooked at times. There are a few moments of comedy gold, mostly stemming from the brilliance of Nick Offerman, better known as brash Ron Swanson on “Parks and Recreation,” or Moises Arias as Biaggio, the lone and outlandish wolf of the boyhood trio. But other times it feels as if the script doesn’t trust the young actors to flesh out their characters, overly explaining emotions through dialogue that would have looked better on the cutting room floor.

It’s a shame, because young Nick Robinson and Gabriel Basso are really quite good as Joe and Patrick, best friends who find themselves at unexpected odds. There’s a brooding fire full of angst that would feel stereotypical if the young leads weren’t so exceptional. They administer mature performances without crossing the line into adulthood, a key factor to the film’s success.

While the script is touch and go, the film is shot with a woodsy beauty and a zealous eye for location. The forest animals are shot with stunning realism and the beauty of the natural elements is never lost. It would appear that newcomer director Jordan Vogt-Roberts let the boys run free on the sets and locations, their only instruction being they must have fun and let go. It’s a joy to watch, especially set to the film’s thumping hip-hop, new age soundtrack.

It isn’t seamless production, but “The Kings of Summer” comes with the promise of new talent that, while still green, may one day display something extraordinary.

For now, it’s safe to say these kings most definitely rule.