Toby “Toe” Thompson (Jimmy Bennett) lives in the company town of Black Falls, where both his parents (Leslie Mann and Jon Cryer) work for Black Box Industries, which makes a device that can do everything from placing a phone call to brushing your teeth. While Mom and Dad Thompson desperately try to find a way to improve the Black Box lest they be fired, Toe finds a rainbow-colored “wishing rock” that will grant his every stated desire. The poor kid’s first request is for friends: The rock provides him with a flotilla of little E.T.s that promptly whip up a gourmet meal while Toe’s parents obliviously dine on ramen noodles and type away at their PDAs.

Director Robert Rodriguez remains in perfect sync with viewers who, when presented with a giant, goopy piece of nasal effluvia, think: that’s entertainment! The movie’s celebration of mayhem and its restless, thrill-seeking vibe will absorb young viewers. Contains mild action and rude humor.

‘Shorts’

Rating: PG

Length: 89 minutes