Isn’t it amazing the amount of things we take for granted in our life? Something as simple as a roof above our heads for instance. There is nothing better after a long workday than coming home, sitting down in your favorite chair, and watch a movie or read a book. It is truly something one should be grateful for. Not everyone on this world has that privilege though. And even though we are human, and we at times complain about everyday things, it is a good thing to sometimes stop and take a few moments to think about things that are really important. Like family for instance, and caring for them, even though you might not be able to do that in the way you would want to.

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One day, your father will grow up to become a stormtrooper.

In Imperial Dreams we meet up with the 21 year old ex-convict Bambi. He has just been released from prison, and is on his way back to his old neighbourhood. His only care in the world is his son, and he will stop at nothing to protect him. However he has really decided to stay on the right path this time, in order to accomplish this task. Unfortunately it is not that simple. The only roof he has above his head is a beat up old car, in which he sleeps together with his son. In prison he picked up the art of writing, and he is trying to get enough money together in order to publish a novel. When his criminal uncle tries to recruit him for a task, Bambi at first declines. Things are becoming more and more desperate for the young father though, and living in such a criminal environment, it is almost impossible to remain on the straight path. Will Bambi succeed….or is the lure of evil to great to resist?

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Really? You were in Star Wars? 

Star Wars fans might recognise John Boyega from the Force Awakens, who plays the main role of Bambi. And I honestly have to say that I was very impressed by his acting talents in this movie. Boyega almost carries this movie on his own shoulders, a task at which he succeeds perfectly. It is always nice to see an actor in a completely different role, and execute it so well. The rest of the supporting cast are relatively unknown, but they all do a great job anyway in creating the atmosphere for this movie.

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I can see my house from here. 

And that is another thing this movie does well, create an atmosphere. It really goes to show that crime really does not pay. It is almost impossible to get back in normal society after a life of crime. Especially when you are trying to do the right thing, and follow the correct path. At some point in the film, Bambi tries to get a normal job, and it is almost laughable the amount of effort he has to take in order to succeed at this. The film loses points in the originality department. This is not a unique storyline, and one we have seen a couple of times in films such as Boyz n the Hood and Dangerous Minds. That said there is little that this film does wrong. The acting in the film is great, and the story even though it is not very original, still grabs your attention and is at times very heartbreaking. All in all this is a solid movie that is worth the watch.

I give Imperial Dreams a 8 out of 10 score.