A young boy helps two old men overcome their cranky attitudes and realize that there are… A young boy helps two old men overcome their cranky attitudes and realize that there are still things that make them want to stick around. It’s not the most original plot line. Kids have been changing the lives of adults throughout cinema history, usually when they are dumped at the doorstep of a distant relative or even a stranger. “Secondhand Lions” uses this formula and adds a little twist.

Instead of being just one story about how young Walter (Haley Joel Osment) is sent to live with his crazy, rich uncles Hub (Robert Duvall) and Garth (Michael Caine), the movie is split into three stories.

The first story features the older Walter (Josh Lucas) reflecting on the turbulent summer he spent with his great-uncles. The second story is a flashback about that summer, which is the bulk of the movie. The third story focuses on his Great Uncle Hub’s past – tales filled with sword fights, dangers, beautiful women and lots of gold.

For a family movie, it has a lot of guns and violence. Uncle Hub and Uncle Grant sit on the porch and wait for door-to-door salesmen to come by so they can shoot at them and watch them scramble for safety. The uncles also get into a scuffle with a few teenage boys. When the movie goes back in time to tell the story of Uncle Hub, his sword goes into quite a few people. However, there is never any blood and if anyone gets explicitly hurt, it’s because they deserved it. The violence isn’t scary; it’s meant to be comical.

The mystery behind Walter’s uncles’ fortune is the driving force of the plot. Everyone knows that the two old men have millions stashed away and each has a different theory on how they obtained it.

Walter’s mother gives him explicit instructions to find the stashed cash. Even with all of this excitement, the movie drags in some places, leaving the audience restless and bored. Parts that were supposed to induce tension fall short because they are predictable.Despite the lulls, there were quite a few cute, funny moments. The pack of dogs following Walter around is a nice touch. Walter’s relationship with the lion that his uncles bought adds plenty of humor. The best moments in the movie are not forced; they simply highlight the growing warm relationship between Walter and his uncles.

As an interesting, funny, exciting family movie, “Secondhand Lions” tries, but it doesn’t always deliver the amusement it’s striving for. However, the movie has good moments and the best intentions. For some simple family entertainment, watching “Secondhand Lions” is not a bad way to spend an afternoon.