“Holes” is based on a great book by Louis Sachar and is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. It has a lot of mystery and surprises. Teens will relate to the characters because they seem like an average bunch of kids.

“Holes” has many stories happening at once that all come together when the main characters Stanley (Shia Labeouf) and Zero (Khleo Thomas) become friends. The movie takes place at a juvenile detention camp named Camp Green Lake, but there is no lake, only miles and miles of desert where the boys have to dig holes. The boys eventually discover that they aren’t digging holes for punishment but to find a buried treasure that the warden (Sigourney Weaver) wants. Because the characters are easy to believe and are normal kids, this movie seems almost believable.

Stanley’s grandfather was cursed for the promise he broke and Stanley thinks the curse has carried over to him. This movie makes you realize good things can come from a bad situation. While at Camp Green Lake, Stanley and Zero manage to solve a great mystery. I think they find out that sometimes fate brings people together. Zero was the one who got Stanley into Camp Green Lake, but they need each other to escape.

I recommend “Holes” to anyone who likes to figure out puzzles or wants to see a different kind of teen movie. This group of boys is a lot like an older version of the boys in “Sandlot.” “Holes” is a unique story of boys in trouble who grow up and learn about themselves. And who wouldn’t like a movie about ancient curses, old mysteries and buried treasure?