Chupa

The characters in “Chupa” are likable and memorable, with a fun dynamic. And Cuarón... creates a rich sense of place here, encouraging the viewers to come to love Mexico as much as Alex eventually does.

The little Chupa was so cute.

A sweet but very minor movie.

“Chupa” willfully becomes one of those family films that takes plenty from the toy box of cliches left before and hardly gives anything back.

A single glimpse of this oversized kitten and you’ll want one for your own, if not the plush version to snuggle up with at night.

Though the concept is promising, and some moments are tender, one wishes the film had delved deeper into the chupacabra myth and the characters’ stories to make for a more satisfying watch.

Chupa is very well put together, nicely filmed and performed, pays homage to Spielberg early and often – and will engross the children on the couch for 95 minutes, no worries at all.

The film is harmless fun handled well enough thanks to the young cast, solid work from Bichir, and this cuddly winged beast.

While Chupa has a lot of heart and a touching bond between the kids and the creature, it falls short in terms of delivering consistent thrills.

Chupa is not a perfect or even near-perfect film, but its genuine charm and attempt at being culturally-nuanced make it a film worth watching.