Boy

The New Zealand import “Boy” is an instance of the trailer being better than the movie it advertises. The story of an ingratiating, Michael Jackson-loving 11-year-old Kiwi looks charming in a two-minute preview, but loses its appeal as it stretches over 87 desultory minutes. The mash-up of styles (from magical realism to flipbook animation) holds some interest, and I liked the catchy, Maori-inflected pop songs that play over the opening and closing credits, but “Boy” is too quirky for its own good. It’s not too cute by half; it’s too cute by all.