Four 12-year-old boys try to raise money to attend the Blue Angel performance at a 9-11 Memorial Service, but they must overcome personal obstacles and disappointment first.
STORY COMMENTS
CORE FOUR is a character driven, coming of age drama driven by strong themes about bonding, friendship, family, respect, reconnecting, and growing up, as well as second chances.
The premise explores the friendship between four 12-year-old boys, known as the “core four.” They form a believable and genuine friendship. The oath of friendship solidifies this. They easily emotionally connect with the audience.
The script is driven by the external goal to raise money to attend a 9-11 memorial. However, the real story is driven by the inner struggle of the
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However, in every good script there’s room for more development.
First, the inciting event for Danny takes place off screen with the death of his father. Watching the DVD that his father left him is the driving force for Danny’s emotional journey.
Moreover, Danny and his friends have an actionable goal. They want to raise enough money to see the Blue Angels. This gives the story focus and a direction. It’s a lot of fun to watch them try and raise the money and fail. Plenty of obstacles are presented and the missing money is a good story choice with a nice twist.
The illness of Norman changes the direction of the story, as the boys rally to help raise money for his medical care, sacrificing their dream.
The major concern however, is the sequence with the shooting, the police investigation, and then the courtroom scene. All of this feels disconnected from the main storyline and the goal. It disrupts and slows the pace. It also changes the tone, as it gets a bit darker.
The scene with Strife and his gang at the shop and then when they return home feels a bit long.
The scene with Pop on page 98 feels out of place and isn’t