Netflix Needs a Hero to Resurrect a Fantastical Child’s Failed Imagination

In 2005’s family-friendly fantasy film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Robert Rodriguez took on numerous roles, showcasing his versatility. However, he chose not to take on one of the most crucial roles.

While Robert Rodriguez served as director, co-writer, producer, composer, cinematographer, editor, re-recording mixer, visual effects supervisor, and more, the sole story credit went to his son, Racer Max.

Racer Max Rodriguez, at the tender age of eight, contributed to the story of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. While nepotism in Hollywood is not surprising, it does shed light on the film’s overall quality.

Critiquing a child for a subpar idea might seem harsh, but that didn’t stop Robert Rodriguez from securing $50 million to bring the concept to life. After all, the best family-friendly adventures appeal to both children and adults. Unfortunately, the movie received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office, indicating that it was primarily a vanity project for the Rodriguez family.

However, recent data from FlixPatrol reveals that Sharkboy and Lavagirl has experienced a resurgence in popularity among Netflix subscribers. Surprisingly, the dull superhero story, nearly two decades after its initial release, has become a unexpected hit on the streaming platform. It even surpassed the buzz surrounding Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.