Good Kids

Plays like third-rate Richard Linklater, minus the acclaimed filmmaker's eye for keenly observed characters and ear for realistic dialogue.

An average, uneven, coming-of-age flick with decent performances.

... has some amusing moments of awkward silliness, yet the jokes eventually become more lazy and obnoxious while the plotting turns predictable.

Nothing very original here, but it's well played and shot, capturing one summer's hectic span for four kids about to enter college.

It's not a great first feature for McCoy, but it's surely a competent one that speaks loudly -- and somewhat profanely -- to a budding talent with intriguing possibilities.

While a comedy, the picture offers few laughs, generally avoiding any basis in reality to become a cartoon with the occasional blip of sensitivity.