11 years old, Joey is a boy on a mission to grow up. Stuck in that awkward limbo between childhood and the teenage years, he spends his days cruising the suburban streets of Colorado with his two best friends: Shane, a fast-talking amateur "tactician," and Billy, the skeptical voice of reason.
Their world is turned upside down when a mysterious, "mature" girl in a red car passes them by a girl who turns out to be Joey’s new weekend babysitter, Carmen. It’s love at first sight, but there’s a major obstacle in the way: a handsome older boy named Jason, whom Carmen claims is "like a brother" to her.
When Joey witnesses a kiss between the two, Shane declares war. He convinces the group that the only way for Joey to win Carmen’s heart is to eliminate the competition. The plan? Operation Ship Him to Japan. What follows is a chaotic, comedic attempt at suburban espionage. Armed with a "sleep stick”, a stack of vintage magazines, and a delusional belief that they can somehow lure a teenager into a box and put him on a cargo ship in the middle of a landlocked state, the trio navigates the hilarious complexities of young love and loyalty.
As the mission reaches its end, Joey is forced to face a hard truth: growing up isn’t about muscles, hot tubs, or getting rid of the competition. It’s about handling the sting of a first crush with a little bit of dignity and a lot of help from your best friends.
