Ages 12-18 Titles from KIDS FIRST!

I personally do not like this movie very much. I feel like it has nothing too special about it and the acting seems somewhat forced, the lines are cheesy and the plot is unoriginal. All of the scenes are long with very few cuts which does make it feel more realistic, but it also makes the film too drawn out. I am also bothered by the fact that there is hardly any music in this film, so when there is silence it is awkward in a non comical way.

My favorite character is Owen because Sam Rockwell does this character justice. I like the character Owen because he is very sweet to Duncan. He sees that he is having a hard time and teaches him how to stand on his own.

My favorite scene would have to be when Duncan is working his first day at Water Wizz. There are a bunch of teens break dancing in the park and Owen is supposed to break it up. Since he is such a slacker he gives Duncan this task and it is hilarious to watch him try to get the people to listen to him. It really shows how awkward he is and even though he is uncomfortable doing this task, he still does it to help out a friend.

I recommend this film for ages 13+ because there are mild profanities, inappropriate humor and drug use. I rate this 3 out of 5 stars because it is entertaining for the time that you're in the theater, but it isn't memorable or something I would see again.

My favorite character in the movie is M.K., played by Amanda Seyfried. M.K. shows great courage and intelligence when, out of nowhere, she is changed into a tiny person with the duty to save the forest from forces of destruction called the Boggans. Through her knowledge of the "big world" M.K., with her father's help, is able to help save the forest. She is also able to reconnect with her father and, in the end, realizes that he was right about so many things.

"EPIC" is very well written and the special effects showing life in a forest, as seen through 3D and from a tiny person's view, are outstanding. It makes you wonder how many other universes are there out there that might be like our own.

My favorite scene in the movie is towards the end, when M.K. has to find a way to stop the evil Boggans from taking over the forest. This, she is able to do, by jumping into her father's pocket and pulling out her dad's cellphone to make a sound that scares away the evil bats who are blocking the full moon in order to try to prevent the new queen from being born in the forest. M.K.'s bravery and courage during this scene is amazing!

The film teaches very important life lessons. It shows us that forces of good and bad are always at war. Or, as the lead warrior for the forest explains to M.K.: "We are all individuals, but we are also all interconnected," "You get what you put into things," and "We are many leaves on one tree."

I give the movie five out of five stars. It is an excellent 3D adventure comedy that teaches life lessons to all viewers. It is also a great family movie appropriate for ages six and up as there are some scary parts of the movie that I wouldn't recommend to kids under the age of six.

The relationship of all the characters on the iconic Starship Enterprise are deep and meaningful. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachery Quinto) develop a brotherly love through the struggles they conquer. The Villain, Khan (Benedict Cumberpatch) is a scary two-faced character that will leave the audience guessing his fate until the very end. Not only does the main star achieve his role perfectly, but the co-stars also do an superb job. The writers, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof successfully add comedy in the script to bring an emotional roller coaster to the audience.

The set ranges from modern skyscrapers to futuristic spaceships. The designers portrayed the theme very well, using many computer generated images to create the year of 2240 in a way that makes it seem so real. The 3D element is an added bonus because it brings the action up close. The beginning scene has lots of running and fighting sequences and yet it is all filmed in such detail that the characters seem like they are going to run off screen.

After watching this movie, my passion for Star Trek has been sparked! I rate this movie 5 out of 5 because it balances the comedy and action scenes so well. It has multiple themes taking place but the on-going theme "the power of friendship can build you or destroy you" is present throughout. This movie contains a hand-full of violence but is not bloody or graphic. The action sequences, violence and realistic make-up could be scary for younger audience members so, I recommend this for ages 13 to18. This movie has sparked an interest in Star Trek for me and hopefully, it will do the same to you.

This film is the next chapter in the "Fast & Furious" series. Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) gets the help of Dominic Tourette (Vin Diesel) and his team to take down an ex- Special Ops soldier, Owen Shaw (Luke Evans) who is the leader of a unit specializing in vehicular combat. The only way to stop this criminal activity is to beat them on the streets.

When I see "Fast & Furious 6" all I can say is WOW! It has tons of action, powerful music and some really great fighting scenes. Luke Evans plays an amazing villain and you really wish something bad would happen to him. The special effects are incredible and the story line kept my interest, so much that I am wanting more and more. The car racing scenes are astonishing with lots of speed and constant momentum throughout. This film has something for everyone. It has action, suspense, a little humor and one great climax. My favorite character is Luke Hobbs because he is very funny and is in a lot of the action. My favorite scene is when Luke shoots the vending machine and all the candy comes out. You really do not expect someone to actually shoot a machine just because the coins are not working or they do not have any. The stunts are incredible and amazing. The scenery and landscape cinematography from the different countries is great to see.

Writers, Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson, along with Director, Justin Lin, have created an incredible storyline that is very enjoyable and thrilling to watch. "Fast & Furious 6" also stars actors, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Elsa Pataki and Jordana Brewster.

One message here is "you should not turn your back on family, even if they do! They may still need you for one thing or another so be there for them."

I give this film a roaring 5 out of 5 stars and recommend to ages 13 to adults. I love the plot, action and the suspense. "Fast & Furious 6" is rated PG-13 and there is a little content that is not suitable for younger ages, so please be aware of this.

All roads lead to a theater near you showing "Fast & Furious 6" on May 24th, so check it out with your family. You will be so happy you did.

Wade Walker (Craig Robinson) wants to marry the lovely Grace Peeples (Kerry Washington (Scandal). They attend the Peeples annual reunion in the Hamptons where Wade wants to ask Grace for her hand in marriage but everything is not going as he plans.

"Peeples" is a good family comedy. I like the way the two families get together, as this is not your ordinary family reunion. However, I can see this happening. I like the plot and it keeps my interest. The cast does a wonderful acting job and I truly enjoy it. The soundtrack is very entertaining. My favorite character is Chris Walker (Malcolm Barrett), brother of Wade Walker, because he is very funny and does things you would not expect people to do. My favorite scene is when Wade accidentally drinks Grace's mother "shroom juice" and starts hallucinating at the Moby Dick Festival. Then he begins to argue with Judge Peeples because he thinks he is insulting him while he is giving a speech. They start fighting and Wade passes out. This is so hilarious and kept me laughing!

Writer and first-time Director Tina Gordon Chism (Drum Line) and Tyler Perry (Good Deeds, Madea's Witness Protection) present great humor about families coming together. "Peeples" also stars comedian and actor, David Alan Grier who gives us a lot to laugh about.

There are a lot of great lessons and messages in this film. One is to always be open with whatever problems you may have so that you can get help. Another is to always be yourself no matter what people think about you.

"Peeples" is rated PG-13 and I recommend it to ages 13 to adults. Please be aware that it does have some content that is not suitable for younger viewers. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. It's very enjoyable; the cinematography is great and has an exciting climax. It has tons of comedy and keeps me laughing.

Laugh with your family and have a great time enjoying "Peeples."

I am in love with this movie! Words can't describe how incredible the entire film is, but I'll do my best. This film is in 3D, which makes the incredible set and costume design come to life. The visuals in this film could have been a movie of its own because they are so breathtakingly beautiful. The rich colors and textures make the cinematography pop. This film is set in the 20s, where life for the wealthy was lavish and over the top 24-7 and the wardrobe really shows that off. The entire look of this movie is so rich and lavish that it sucks you in and you feel as if you can grasp the fabrics and streamers of Jay Gatsby's parties because everything is so full-bodied with color. I feel like you could take a screenshot of every frame in this film and then send it off to a photography museum because it is just so striking.

The soundtrack is another thing of wonder in this film. It features modern songs such as Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild" as well as Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" and other artist such as Florence + the Machine, Beyonce, William and even a few dubstep mixes, however all these modern hits are meshed with 20s rag time, giving it an authentic feel with a modern edge. It took me a few scenes to get used to because when I first heard modern artist Frank Ocean singing while a 20s-themed trumpet tune played, I was a little shocked. Once I warmed up to it, I fell in love with the unique sound. I actually think it is a very clever way to make the younger generation become more enthralled with the movie because the music we are used to at parties is the more modern sound. I think it is a clever way to make the festivities of this movie more appealing to a younger crowd.

My favorite scene would have to be when Nick goes to one of Gatsby's massive parties. People from all over New York and from all walks of life would flock to Gatsby's house weekend after weekend to indulge in his lavish lifestyle, even though none of them knew Gatsby or had ever met him. In the very first party scene you really become engorged in the luxurious accommodations of Gatsby's palace. His house is filled with streamers, dancers, outrageously dressed guests and vivid decor. The entire scene is so visually pleasing. I also really enjoyed the scene where Gatsby plans for Daisy to visit Nick at his house and then "coincidentally" stop by so he can see her again after 5 years. I like this scene because Gatsby always seems like such a confident man who is on top of the world but, when he is faced with seeing his true love after so many years apart, he gets the demeanor of a squeamish school boy. It is so cute how he obsesses over Daisy in the beginning of the scene and it is touching how nervous he gets before she comes over. Leonardo's acting in this scene is truly astounding and his subtle display of emotions accents the fact that he is frantically trying to conceal his emotions.

My favorite character is Jay Gatsby because he is such a complex man. He builds his entire dream life to impress Daisy. He builds his home across the lake from her house so he can see her, throws parties hoping she'll attend, and does everything in his power to be near to her which is very humbling considering he could do virtually anything with his riches. Leonardo's performance in this film deserves an award because of how realistically he portrayed Gatsby. I truly respect Leonardo as an actor because no matter what role he is playing I never see it as Leo playing so and so, but I see him as the actual character. He full-heartedly embodies Jay Gatsby and shows the depths of the character in such a remarkable way. I loved every second of his performance.

Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars, I would give it more if I could! "The Great Gatsby" has everything I look for in a film - well executed plot, excellent visuals, unique music, and a brilliant cast and crew. I recommend this film for ages 13 and up for excessive drinking and mature situations. I can't wait to see this film again, so be sure to go see "The Great Gatsby" when it hits theaters May 10th.

This move has a mix of comedy which I've noticed is in every Lego movie. It has action, adventure, great actors and even a lifelong lesson - sometimes you can't do things all by yourself, you need help. There are some pretty cool structures and machines. All these structures are built out of Lego bricks so you can really build them yourself if you knew how!

The adventure begins when Bruce Wayne wins the "Man of the Year" award. If you don't know who Bruce Wayne is, he is Batman undercover. Then, the Joker commits a crime and Batman and Robin have to capture him once again. As they are trying to achieve their goal, Superman helps him. Batman gets annoyed with Superman but, at the end they work together and call in all the superheroes to defeat the Joker! If you want to know what happens at the end you must watch the movie.

What I love about this funny, action-packed film is how it shows the relationship between Robin and Batman as somewhat difficult. This isn't very good for a side-kick and a hero. At the end though, they become good friends. Also, it shows all the heroes' powers like Superman's strength and Batman's throwing skills. The best part for me is how everything is made out of Legos. And, as in most Lego movies, there are cool animations, good actions and great voiceover actors.

My favorite scene is when the bat cave gets destroyed. It's action packed and shows Joker's "funny" side with his strange humor and his pie bombs. Superman helps them. But, the Joker and his partner Lex, who is running for president and using Joker to win election, gets away. Would you like to know how he was able to defeat Superman's power? Get a copy of this wonderful film and find out!

I recommend this film for ages 3 and up. There's really no violence or harsh language in this movie. "Lego Batman the Movie" is extremely kid-friendly. I give this movie 5 out 5 stars. You can find it on DVD everywhere now.

I am in love with this movie! Words can't describe how incredible the entire film is, but I'll do my best. This film is in 3D, which makes the incredible set and costume design come to life. The visuals in this film could have been a movie of its own because they are so breathtakingly beautiful. The rich colors and textures make the cinematography pop. This film is set in the 20s, where life for the wealthy was lavish and over the top 24-7 and the wardrobe really shows that off. The entire look of this movie is so rich and lavish that it sucks you in and you feel as if you can grasp the fabrics and streamers of Jay Gatsby's parties because everything is so full-bodied with color. I feel like you could take a screenshot of every frame in this film and then send it off to a photography museum because it is just so striking.

The soundtrack is another thing of wonder in this film. It features modern songs such as Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild" as well as Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" and other artist such as Florence + the Machine, Beyonce, William and even a few dubstep mixes, however all these modern hits are meshed with 20s rag time, giving it an authentic feel with a modern edge. It took me a few scenes to get used to because when I first heard modern artist Frank Ocean singing while a 20s-themed trumpet tune played, I was a little shocked. Once I warmed up to it, I fell in love with the unique sound. I actually think it is a very clever way to make the younger generation become more enthralled with the movie because the music we are used to at parties is the more modern sound. I think it is a clever way to make the festivities of this movie more appealing to a younger crowd.

My favorite scene would have to be when Nick goes to one of Gatsby's massive parties. People from all over New York and from all walks of life would flock to Gatsby's house weekend after weekend to indulge in his lavish lifestyle, even though none of them knew Gatsby or had ever met him. In the very first party scene you really become engorged in the luxurious accommodations of Gatsby's palace. His house is filled with streamers, dancers, outrageously dressed guests and vivid decor. The entire scene is so visually pleasing. I also really enjoyed the scene where Gatsby plans for Daisy to visit Nick at his house and then "coincidentally" stop by so he can see her again after 5 years. I like this scene because Gatsby always seems like such a confident man who is on top of the world but, when he is faced with seeing his true love after so many years apart, he gets the demeanor of a squeamish school boy. It is so cute how he obsesses over Daisy in the beginning of the scene and it is touching how nervous he gets before she comes over. Leonardo's acting in this scene is truly astounding and his subtle display of emotions accents the fact that he is frantically trying to conceal his emotions.

My favorite character is Jay Gatsby because he is such a complex man. He builds his entire dream life to impress Daisy. He builds his home across the lake from her house so he can see her, throws parties hoping she'll attend, and does everything in his power to be near to her which is very humbling considering he could do virtually anything with his riches. Leonardo's performance in this film deserves an award because of how realistically he portrayed Gatsby. I truly respect Leonardo as an actor because no matter what role he is playing I never see it as Leo playing so and so, but I see him as the actual character. He full-heartedly embodies Jay Gatsby and shows the depths of the character in such a remarkable way. I loved every second of his performance.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is back, and after fighting with the Avengers, faces a new threat, a terrorist named Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and a new foe Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce).We also see James Rhodes/Iron Patriot ( Don Cheadle) who helps Tony out in his time of crises. Not only is Tony facing the anxiety of keeping Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) safe, but also learns that it's the man that makes the suit.

I love the special effects in this flick. The suits get better and better. The way they move, attach, fight and look is wonderful. Robert Downey Jr. continues his character development as Tony Stark and I love every minute he's on screen. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic. She's not just a damsel in distress. She saves Tony two different times and has a likable, lovable personality. The story is very engaging and the dialogue is great. The one thing I don't like is the intellectual twist. I have mixed feelings about the turn of events in this film. My inner die-hard, comic book-loving side is disappointed, but my film critic side sees it as genius.

My favorite character is Harley (Ty Simpkins), a boy who befriends Tony and helps repair the Iron Man suit. Harley is bright, independent and a little too much like Tony. When you put the two together, you get non-stop laughter.

The moral of the story is: it's not the suit that makes the man, it's the man that makes the suit. Tony can't sleep because he gets nightmares, so he spends all his time at night making more suits to protect himself and Pepper. The truth is, he saves Pepper without the suit.

My favorite scene is the final battle. The action is larger-than-life. The different suits, the way they fight, make you want to cheer. It gets you to the edge of your seat; it's intense, fast and action-packed.

I recommend this to 11-year-olds and up. Bad language is low and the action not too intense for this age range. They will love the comedy. I give this 5 stars. Even if the twist is a little disappointing, it's still amazing. Robert Downey Jr. continues his character development as Tony Stark and I love every minute he's on screen. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic. She's not just a damsel in distress. She saves Tony two different times and has a likable, lovable personality. The story is very engaging and the dialogue is great. The one thing I don't like is the intellectual twist. I have mixed feelings about the turn of events in this film. My inner die-hard, comic book-loving side is disappointed, but my film critic side sees it as genius.

Reviewed by Keefer B., age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

"Iron Man 3" picks up just months after where the "Avengers" left off. Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is still trying to deal with the traumatic events that took place in New York when Loki tried to take over the world and the stress is ruining Tony's life. Now, a new threat, the Mandarin, is brought into the equation and Tony has to balance his duties as a hero with protecting his true love, Pepper Pots. If that isn't enough of a challenge, he also has to deal with a biological warfare going on by vengeful colleagues.

I love this film. I think it is by far the most intense addition to the "Iron Man" series thus far. The amount of explosions, fight sequences and new Iron Man suits in this film are incredible, plus the stunning 3D make this film a must see. The special effects are outstanding and I absolutely love all of the different suits that Tony has created in this movie.

My favorite scene is the final battle sequence when Tony and the Iron Patriot have to save Pepper and the president from the Mandarin, a terrorist who is wreaking havoc across the world. I enjoyed this scene because you get to see all of the different Iron Man suits that have been waiting in Tony's basement to be shown off. They remind me a lot of Transformers in a way because all the suits have the same general design, but they range in size and ability. I also think it's really cool how in this film Jarves, Tony's electronic assistant is piloting the suits because it gave a lot more room to add the thrill of destroying the suits without having to worry about killing off characters. I also enjoy the scene when Tony meets his biggest fan, Gerry. Even though this scene is very brief, it is so funny. Tony needs Gerry's help in order to use a news van to check government files and, Gerry is so obsessed with him. The whole situation is awkward, creepy and so hilarious. It may not be an important scene, but it is memorable.

My favorite character is actually a new one. When Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) crash lands in a small town with his damaged suit, he meets a young boy named Harley Keener, played by Ty Simpkins. I really like him because he is only a young boy but he isn't afraid to match Tony when it comes to being head strong and spunky. Harley is a character that younger audiences will resonate with and I appreciate him for that.

Overall I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is the perfect addition to the "Iron Man" series and is the most intense and driven film in the series so far. I recommend it for ages 10 to 18 due to intense and mature action scenes. Adults will enjoy this film as well.

This movie follows a fourteen-year-old boy named Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and his best friend Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) who go to an island to claim a boat in a tree. They are surprised to find a man living in their boat. The man says that his name is Mud (Matthew McConaughey) and he is waiting for his true love Juniper (Reese Witherspoon.) Eventually Mud earns the boys trust, and even after Mud is able to leave with his boat running, he still stops again in danger to say goodbye to Ellis, leading to a whirlwind of danger and intensity and cannot be explained, but you can watch it in theaters.

In "A Day With The Dinosaurs" I learned how to draw a Pterodactyl and a T-Rex. Mark visits the Museum of Boston and speaks to an expert to learn more about them and to get an idea of how the dinosaurs lived, what they ate and how long they lived. I learned that sometimes they call dinosaurs very large lizards.

In the other episode, "Reach For The Stars" I learned how to draw an astronaut and the planet Saturn, the planet with the rings around it. At the Museum of Boston, he speaks to another expert about the stars, the galaxy, the astronauts and of course, about Saturn. I also learned how far we are from the stars. I thought that the stars were probably about 270 miles from us, but they are actually millions of miles from us, that's really far! You can see the stars look kind of close, but they are so far away!!

Mark taught me that a drawing takes time and you don't have to rush. Always draw the stick figure, the foundation, before you start adding details and other special little things you can always add. You need to draw the outline and just sketch it, don't hold your pencil so hard, sketch lightly and softly.

The "Happy Tails" part of this show is about cats and dogs and how to draw them. He also talks about how much responsibility it is to have a dog; you have to groom it, take care of it, bring it to the vet and feed it. In the "Ice Cream" episode, Mark goes to the ice cream shop and learns about children's' favorite ice cream flavors and you'll never guess: it's cake batter flavor! When I heard this I thought that it was funny because I would never think that they would make a cake batter flavored ice cream. The lead characters in these episodes are Mark (Mark Marderosian), Crystal Cat and Eclipse Doggy.

I like that this show helped me be a better artist and I learned how to draw a dog and a cat better than I already did. I also learned how to draw an ice cream truck and a man holding an ice cream. I love watching this because I learned a lot and it made me understand the fundamentals of drawing. I also like that they put a live-action human with animated characters. I also like it when they went into the ice cream shop and they saw Crystal Cat On the toppings section, they thought that it was funny because they were talking about all of the toppings that the kids pick every time they come in and Crystal Cat was right there so they started laughing. There is no underlying message in this story, because it's about drawing, except maybe that no matter how old you are, you can draw big things.

Even though the main story of the film is fiction, the characters are based on real people. This is a story of a wonderful relationship between two people who dedicated their life to what they love the most - space. This is a story about a man and his 15-year-old son and a real space camp that is located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. The movie was mostly shot there and I myself now can't wait to visit it.

The story starts when Jimmy (Thomas Horn) is being selected for the competition in Space Camp. He is very excited. You can imagine what it means to a kid that dreamed all his life about going to space and now he has a possibility of making it a reality. Sadly, his mother is against it and doesn't agree with her son's choices. Jimmy decides to lie to his parents and makes it to the camp anyway. Now, if you would like to find out if Jimmy and his teammates made it to space or if you are curious to know how his parents reacted when they found out where Jimmy truly was - you have to watch the movie.

What makes this film special, for me, is the fact that Jimmy is very passionate about his love for space and works hard on trying to be the best at what he does. He keeps pushing himself to become a more educated, better person. I love the friendship Jimmy develops with his teammates even though it gets off to a rocky start. They learn to respect and accept Jimmy for who he is.

My favorite scene in the movie is when NASA's representative decides to listen to the kids' suggestion during critical time and gives them a chance to prove that they are right which leads to a very cool outcome for Jimmy's team.

I recommend this fabulous film to kids ages 5 to 18. Some things and terminology may be too complicated to understand for younger kids. This movie is very inspirational and teaches viewers a lot of valuable lessons! I give "Space Warriors" 5 out of 5 stars. The film will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. ET (Check your local listings) Later, it will be available on DVD at Wal-Mart.

I enjoyed "Mousehunt", but it was hard to sit through at times because I love animals so much that it made me a little nervous. It is funny but also has some adult humor. The sets are amazing! They look as if they were torn apart, flooded, and even bombed in one case! The writers do a fantastic job with the comedic timing. It kept me laughing the whole time!

I love Caesar (Christopher Walken) because he is very serious and so funny at the same time. He is the exterminator who Ernie and Lars hire to kill the mouse! He comes into the house telling the brothers that this will be super easy. He is no ordinary exterminator, because to find out about the mouse, he eats and smells the poop! This mouse even out-smarts Caesar. The character Caesar really pulls this film together. I love Christopher Walken from other films such as "Hairspray" and "Click."

My favorite scene is when Lars is in the string factory. He is trying to work the factory by himself because all the workers are on strike. It's really fun to watch because every piece of his clothing gets caught. He struggles to free himself, with no success. It only gets much worse! To find out more about this great scene you should watch the movie!

Manfred (Ray Romano-voice) is the Protagonist, Sid (John Leguizamo-voice) is the Sloth, and Diego (Denis Leary-voice) is the Saber-Tooth Tiger. They are given a baby human by its mother to take care of it. The three set out to find the human tribe so that the rightful owners of it can teach it their ways, but Diego has to bring the baby to his head herd master so they can kill it for revenge. Will Diego bring it to his herd so that they can kill it or well he help his friends take the baby back to its tribe?

"Ice Age" is a great film. I really like it. I remember watching this film awhile back and I still like it. The script is well written by Michael J. Wilson and flows smoothly. The colors are vibrant throughout the film. The background music really enhances the specific mood of the scenes and makes it more enjoyable. My favorite character is Sid because he is extremely funny and never hesitates to speak his mind. My favorite scene is in the very beginning when Scrat (Chris Wedge-voice) desperately tries to find a place to hide his acorn from the cold harsh wind. On one of his tries he pushes it too far into the ice and cracks the ground then a huge wall of ice comes down and almost kills Scrat.

This film kept me laughing and also produces many lessons to teach kids. One lesson is that you should help people and animals as much as you can, because it can result in a good ending.

"Ice Age" is rated PG with Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha directing it. It also stars the voice talents of the hilarious Cedric the Entertainer (Carl), Goran Visnjic (Soto) and Jack Black (Zeke).

I recommend "Ice Age" for ages 6 to 13. The genre of this film is definitely adventurous and comedy.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. It is great for kids, it's very entertaining and has a great climax.

"Koala Kid" is a animated film about a white Koala who doesn't he think he fits in with his community of gray Koalas and comes to believe that he has special talents which he thinks can prove to everyone that he belongs. He does this by going on a miraculous journey to defeat an evil crocodile named Bog.

The Koala Kid's name is Johnny and he's voiced by Rob Schneider. As his journey continues he meets Miranda, a gray Koala (Yvonne Strahvoski), Hamish the Tasmanian Devil (Bret McKenzie) and his Monkey Photographer Lokie (Charlie Bewley). They battle with their wits and through action with Bog the villainous Crocodile (Alan Cumming, the Bad Guy from Spy Kids!) and his chief henchman, Blacktooth the Dingo (Tim Curry).

There is one moment that seems to capture the humor and suspense of this movie perfectly. When Bog the evil Croc is sleeping, the tiny wombats take Snorkles into the pond and capture Bog with a net. When Bog awakes, he shrugs them off of him as if it is nothing. I didn't want to laugh because the Wombats are so cute, but it is funny.

I really like the animation in this film because it feels as if you're really in the hot outback with all these fun characters.

The colorfulness adds to the fun I experienced. There is also one song in the movie which continues the colorfulness and had both me AND my mom tapping our feet, "Do You Come From a Land Down Under." I think I'm still tapping my feet.

I think the message of this movie is no matter what you look like, you can always become a hero.

If you like adventurous cartoons as much as I do, then "Koala Kid" is the movie for you. I recommend this to kids ages six to sixteen because as much as it is a lifelong lesson that you can always use. There are some suspenseful moments that could be scary to the younger ones.

I really love this film. Not only is "42" educational, but it also has a sense of humor, wit and a whole lot of inspiration. This film captures the hardships that not only Jackie and his family dealt with, but also the hatred that was shown towards the people that supported him. I really like the cinematography and the way the camera angles are able to capture the movement of the players and the unspoken communication between the team members. The costume and set design is also very well done and accurate for that time period.

My favorite character is Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) because he really shows emotion in a realistic way. Jackie is faced with challenge after challenge, but always overcomes, and Chadwick did a phenomenal job of displaying all that was going through his characters mind with nothing but a simple expression. Chadwick also captured Jackie's spunk and defiance towards the norms. Jackie Robinson is such an inspirational person and character. At any given moment he could have given up, let down the people that looked up to him, believe all the hate that was thrown at him, but he didn't, and that's what makes him a hero. I believe Jackie is a character that every man, woman and child can look up to and find inspiration in.

My favorite scene is when Jackie plays one of his first games as a Dodger. The manager of the opposing team is very slanderous and vile towards Jackie. He calls out awful racial slurs while Jackie is out on the field, but Jackie knows if he did anything about it he would be the one who gets punished. Finally after the other Dodgers had enough, Eddie Stanky marched over to the opposing team and told the manager to sit down. He knows he is breaking the rules, but when he sees a team member of his being harped on he takes a chance and stands up of for him. This scene shows that the color of one's skin doesn't matter and that Eddie would have done that for any one of his teammates. It's a wonderful example of equity and sportsmanship and it is very moving.

The preview of this movie was very cute. It is a story about a mom and dad who want to go on a vacation together. The question is, who will watch the three children. They decide to ask the grandparents. The favorite grandparents are busy and cannot come so they have to call the other grandparents. R I is a new house that is all computerized and the dad's project. The technology is very confusing to the grandparents. It is a very cool house that everyone will want to own. Marisa Tomei is a mother, trying to juggle a family and a job. She is trying to do the best job she can but there are many choices of how to raise your children. Tom Everett Scott plays dad, who just wants his wife to be proud of him and misses spending time with her alone. The kids are adorable. I love the kangaroo. Barker has a strong grip and doesn't want his mother to leave. This will have you laughing. Harper is an amazing violist and the perfect big sister. Turner has issues but learns to overcome them. The old grandparents do not always understand the way their daughter is raising her children. They do not follow her rules. When they find out they are not the favorites they decide it is time to take action and make the children love them. Even I know sugar makes kids crazy. Cake any one? My favorite scene was when they play kick the can. Playing in the rain is always fun; add a game and it is funtastic. My favorite character was the grandmother because Bette Midler stood up for her granddaughter. She was funny and even had scene with her famous singing voice. The grandfather, Billy Crystal would be great to hang out with because he loves baseball and so do I. He believes in this movie so much that he also signed on as a producer. The moral is, if everyone works together things will come out all right. Sometimes it takes a little time to understand someone else's ways. All ages will love this move from the young 5 to the elder 105. It is about different ages all trying to understand each other, learn from each other and getting to place of being a happy family. I give this movie 5 twinkling stars it was cute, funny and made for everyone. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

"Parental Guidance" is extremely funny and enjoyable. Artie Decker (Billy Crystal) is let go from his baseball announcing job which he truly loves. His only daughter, Alice Simmons, (Marisa Tomei) and her Husband, Phil Simmons (Tom Everett Scott) get a chance to go on a vacation and need someone to look after their three school-age kids. Artie and his wife, Diane Decker (Bette Midler), agree to look after them for a week and will do anything to not be the "other grandparents." But their style of parenting clashes with Alice and her husband's parenting ways. This film keeps me laughing a lot and I must admit, shedding a few tears. My favorite character is Barker Simmons (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf). He has the cutest little face, with red curly hair, and cracks me up with some of the things he is doing. The acting is really good and believable. I can actually see this plot happening in real life that's how believable it is. I also like Harper Simmons, (Bailee Madison) as she acts very well. She is so intense with her acting and so believable with her crying scenes. I have two favorite scenes, one is when Harper has a mouthful of cake and then says to her mother, Yogurt is not like ice cream, you lied; and second is when Artie is at the little league baseball game with his daughter and causes trouble because there is no 3 strike game rule. Andy Fickman directs "Parental Guidance" and Lisa Addario along with Joe Syracuse writes this very funny script. Other talents include Jennifer Crystal Foley, Rhonda Griffis and the very funny Gedde Watanabe. A lesson in this film is to live your life, love yourself and laugh a lot. I recommend "Parental Guidance" for ages 6 and up. This is a great film for the family and your friends to see. This is really good comedy that will keep you laughing. Get ready to laugh, cry and have a good time. I give this film 5 out of 5 five stars. I love the actors, the plot and comedy. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are hilarious together with their style of parenting. Have some fun with your grandparents and see "Parental Guidance." It arrives in theaters on December 25 and I'm sure you will love it. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I find this movie entertaining, but is quite different than what I expected it to be. In all honesty it's more of a witty chick-flick than a comedy. I think the storyline was pretty funny and touching which works for this movie. It really shows off how clever of an actress Tina Fey is, which is why she is my favorite in this film.

I like Portia (Tina Fey) because she has so many ups and downs with her emotions and it's hilarious to watch her go from crying to being hilarious all in a scene. She deals with situations very calmly, but you can tell that behind her deserved mask, she is freaking out. Portia has some tension with her co-worker Corrine who is running for the same promotion as her. I love the way Portia shows her disdain for Corrine, and how she tries to cover up her dislike for her around the boss. She is definitely the highlight of comedy in this film.

My favorite scene is when Portia checks in on Jeremiah when he stays the night on campus. She tries to sneak into a party he is at and awkwardly asks him if he needs anything, like a toothbrush! You can tell he is really weirded out by her questions, but he goes with her anyway to get a toothbrush. Their interaction at the store was so hilarious because Portia is trying to act motherly and Jeremiah has no clue what's going on. It's a very awkward, yet funny scene. I really enjoy this whole movie and each scene is very well composed and I don't feel like a single scene was out of place or necessary for the plot.

Let's return to Nim's Island to see how things are going with Nim (Bindi Irwin) and her Father (Matthew Lillard). One day they get a message that some people will be buying the island to build an attraction there, but Nim will not stand for it and comes up with some things to do to save what she calls home. She will do almost anything to protect the island and the animals that she loves so well. Everything is going fine until Edmund, (Toby Wallace), comes along to help but brings trouble. Will Nim get to keep and stay living at her personal resort or will she have to pack up and leave?

I really love this film. It's the sequel to Nim's Island. I love the underwater shoots and the humor. The cast is doing an incredible job in interacting with the animals and making it all believable. My favorite character is Nim because she is not afraid to speak her mind, and will not let anyone push her around. My favorite scene is when Nim is going on the zip line. It looks really cool to ride and I would love to do it. I love the music as it fits in perfectly with the scenes.

Brendan Maher directs "Nim's Island." Author of the "Nim's Island" series, Wendy Orr, is the inspiration behind this film. Everyone does an amazing job - from the animals to all the cast - it makes an impact with an environmental message. The big message is that you should do everything you can to help the marine and wildlife, if you cannot, please do not harm it. Additionally, it emphasizes the idea to "never give up on what you want to do."

I recommend, "Return to Nim's Island" for ages 7 to 14. Parents will enjoy it as much as their kids. If you love the wild you will love this film.

I give this film an overwhelming 5 out of 5 stars. I love the adventure, cinematography, action and, of course, the humor. Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

The magic of the 2008 blockbuster hit "Nim's Island" is back in its sequel, aptly named, "Return to Nim's Island." The film is made up of a completely different cast, but the charm, quirkiness and the aura of excitement makes the island an endearing getaway for the adventurous child that lives in all of our hearts.

Nim (Bindi Irwin), a precocious 14-year-old, still has a gift of immersing herself in nature. She lives on a tropical island with her scientist father Jack (Matthew Lillard) and her animal friends. When a boy named Edmund (Toby Wallace) shows up to explore the island, a wild series of events unravel. Nim, Edmund, and Jack must fight to defend their island and its abundant animal ecosystems from developers and poachers.

Directed by Brendan Maher, the film opens up with amazing underwater cinematography, capturing my attention from the start. The shots of exotic creatures of all shapes and sizes are simply breathtaking. There is, of course, the environmental message behind the storyline. Not only will kids love the fun antics of Selkie the sea lion, but families will also be inspired to learn more about endangered animals and their habitats.

I love the film's new cast. Bindi Irwin, daughter of the Crocodile Hunter star Steven Irwin, is perfectly cast as Nim because of her experience with nature and animals. Her portrayal of Nim takes the character to a whole new level. Nim has transformed into a tough, determined, feisty young lady who will do anything it takes to protect her human and animal friends. Toby Wallace's performance as Edmund is flawless - he has the good looks, the comic charisma, and the right amount of shyness around Nim. I love seeing Nim and Edmund bonding as friends. Their chemistry on screen is completely believable. Also, John Waters is certainly menacing as the antagonistic poacher.

"Return to Nim's Island" will take families on a spectacular expedition underwater, into dark mysterious caves, and up awfully steep cliffs. The dialogue is hilarious and will make viewers laugh out loud throughout the movie. The music score truly captures the spirit of adventure. The wind instruments give the film a wild, natural down-to-earth feel. The movie has no profanity or slapstick humor - the lighthearted, clean quality carries the film on its own. I wish I could live on Nim's island and embrace the nature. It's a relief to see a movie with teenagers exploring the wild instead of being glued to their electronics. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for all ages! Sail away with Nim and catch "Return to Nim's Island" on DVD available at Wal-mart. Cassandra Hsiao, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

"Return to Nim's Island" is an adventurous movie that will sail audience members to a far island where nature and people live happily together. Nim, now portrayed by Bindi Irwin, is a playful and smart girl that wants to save her island from a group of men who want to capture the exotic animals and birds. Once her father (Matthew Lillard) travels back to the mainland, a young boy named Edmund (Toby Wallace) lands on the island and meets Nim. They quickly become friends and both save the island from the invaders.

"Return to Nim's Island" is a refreshing movie with tropical scenery, brave characters and a touching theme. The scenery in the movie, designed by Scott Bird, is so believable that I felt I was on the salty island. Furthermore, the art director makes Nim's tree house creative by adding the daring zip line. Judd Overton, the cinematographer, portrays the movie setting very well in the movie poster. Bindi and Toby play the role of Nim and Edmund perfectly. They build such a strong bond together, thus when Edmund leaves the island I felt sad for their broken friendships. The movie's theme: young people can be triumphant in anything they believe in, is a great incorporation by the writers Ray Boseley and Cathy Randall.

The scene where Nim sneaks in the invaders' camp is so intense. The invaders could have come back any moment but Nim's plan is smart enough to lure the invaders long enough to rescue the birds. The first time she forgets to bring a pocket knife which is a bit funny because if someone is going to rescue they should be prepared. The scene I don't like is when Nim and Edmund are in the burning cave because it a bit dramatic and gave a scary image to young audiences. Yet, the director (Brendan Maher) films the scene to be so realistic, that I felt the heat of flames!

Putting all the scenes together must be hard work, but Geoffrey Lamb successfully edits the film well. All the right angles and shots are placed in the right time sequence. The scenes from the city then to the island are all flawlessly edited. Along with film editing is the element of sound. Ocean waves, tropical winds, and music are beautifully harmonized in the movie. Nerida Tyson-Chew, the music director, perfectly unites the music along with the movie scenes.

My favorite scene is at the end of the movie when Nim and her dad are finally together. It is a bit sad to see Edmund leave but now she has her father to help and guide her. I am so surprised with the animals used in the film. The sea lion was so smart and treated Nim like a sister. The movements of the sea lion are amazing and will leave the audience in awe. The white python snake is also intriguing because I have never seen a white snake before. Overall all the animals are unique to movie.

This movie is beautiful! The CGI is breathtakingly clear and crisp and the 3D pops. I especially love the opening credits because they are done in black and white and look like vintage pop-up books. I also love that when it shows dusty Kansas it is in black and white and the screen is small, but as soon as you reach Oz, the images morphs into vivid colors and the screen widens to reveal Oz in all its splendor.

The musical score in this film is wonderful. The composer, Danny Elfman, keeps it lively and whimsical, while diming the mood of the music when the moment is right.

My favorite characters are Oz, played by James Franco and Finley, voiced by Zach Braff. I like Oz because he is so cheesy and such a con man. He always plays girls and lies his way through every possible opportunity. But, Franco does it in a tasteful way that brings cleverness and humor to the film.

I also like Finley who is Oz's assistant, an adorable little flying monkey. He is always making the funniest comments and is so honest. There is one scene when he is trying to distract someone, and he does the funniest things.

I like how original this plot is because there have been countless numbers of films, plays and stories based on the Wizard of Oz, but I haven't seen one like this. It is a predictable story line which is usually a thumbs down for me, but this film is so good that it works. The land of Oz is so beautiful and uniquely designed, it is very visually pleasing. There are definitely some jump scares in this film because of the wicked , witches baboons and the evil forest. So, parents taking children, be advised that they may get frightened.

I give Oz: The Great and Powerful 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 and up.

Reviewed by Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I have to say I loved this movie with a capital "L." "Oz the Great and Powerful" is 3-delicious and it's sure to be a huge hit. Disney did an awesome job of telling the story of how Oz came to the Land of Oz. Did I say I loved it? Just checking.

The story starts as the classic Oz did in black and white. You meet Oswald who goes by Oz for short. He's a conman and two-bit magician in a traveling circus. He's not that great or powerful but he is smooth and knows how to be charming. He has a great story about a music box that he seems to use on every girl he meets and surprisingly it works, probably too well. Watch the movie to see how much trouble his sweet-talking can get him into. Oz is played by James Franco and he did an amazing job.

In the land of Oz you meet three witches. Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams.) One is a wicked witch, one is a good witch and one is most likely a neutral witch as she states she only wants peace in the land. Then drops the Great Wizard from the sky that has been prophesized of and that they have been waiting on for a very long time. The wizard will bring peace to the land and be King. Oz however isn't interested until he see's the treasure of Oz. Well then of course he's all in.

All of the witches did a great job, but kudos to Mila as she really got a good acting muscle workout. She was fabulous.

My favorite character was the China Girl (Joey King.) She was beautiful, tender and brave. Her town was destroyed by the wicked witch's flying baboons. Yes, I said baboons and let me tell you they were frightening. I jumped more then once when they came into the story. But then again it wouldn't be a complete Oz adventure if there weren't frightening flying baboons or monkeys. It's an absolute must in any and all adventures based in Oz.

The story is intertwined really well and when you think you know what's going on there comes a twist to make it even clearer. That is funny but the twists are what make this movie so great. That and the wonderful scenery, colors, costumes, characters and awesome 3D.

My favorite scene was when Oz fixes the broken China Girl's legs. After all she was my favorite character. But a really close second was when Oz met Glinda in the graveyard at night in the middle of the enchanted forest. I would have liked to see more of the enchanted forest but there was a story that needed to be told.

The age range is 8 and up because, monkey or baboon, those flying creatures are scary.

I give this movie 5 out of 5 twinkling stars and it's a must see for all those that were ever enchanted by the Land of Oz. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is an incredible spin on an American movie classic. I think that the CG and the other effects in the movie do a really good job at telling the story better. Another thing that I like is that the movie can be seen in 3D which made it look really cool. This movie is awesome and if you see it I hope you like it too.

This movie is all about a guy named Oz who is kind of a selfish man at first, but then he goes through this big journey through a land called Oz. When he gets to Oz everyone thinks he is the wizard. He is not but he still helps the land of Oz. He learns to treat people nice and with respect.

The main characters in this movie are Oz, Theodora, Evanora, Glinda, Finley, Master Tinker, China Girl and Knuck. My favorite character in the movie is Oz because he is not very nice at first but does become nice on his journey. He is risking his life to save the world of Oz from the wicked witch of the west. That is why he is my favorite.

My favorite part is at the beginning of the movie when he is doing a magic trick and he starts to make a girl float but someone watching sees a wire. He says, "Why am I in the need of wires?" and with that he got a sword and cut the wire and the girl was still floating. It was so cool! I bet you are going to love this part just as much as I do.

A caveman and his family are forced to change because the earth is changing. They Croods are the last prehistoric family left to fend for themselves against the animals and elements. Everyone in the family goes by the simple rule "Fear keeps us Alive." The family hunts for food, including the super hyper 4-year-old Sandy.

Grug (Nicolas Cage) is the father and his job is to take care and protect his family. Eep (Emma Stone) is the teenage daughter who always wants to be free to roam around. One day she sneaks out at night to follow the light and meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who is really skinny and super smart. Guy will forever change the Croods' lives.

The plot in this movie made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again. I like the way they make Eep look like a normal healthy girl instead of a skinny "princess" like girly look. They make Guy a super skinny dude who needs belt to hold up his pants. My favorite part of the movie is when the family escape from danger - Grug always counts and makes sure everybody is safe. He likes to stop at 4 but Gran always come out alive as number 5.

The special effects in this movie are so great. You can see the landscape, rocks and larva as if they are real. The 3-D effects makes everything so close that you want to reach out your hands to touch it.

The cinematography shows how beautiful the earth is. It is filled with rocks, beautiful bright flowers, lush jungle, bright stars and the sun. There are so many different animals in this movie. All the animals are so detailed with colors, feathers, stripes and they are all so cute, even the dangerous ones.

The only part I did not like is when the creatures are trying to catch the family for food. This part with 3-D effects seems too real with all the sharp teeth and claws. I was so scared when the claws come out so sharp and so close to you.

The message in this movie is to face fear and accept changes.

My favorite character is Sandy. She is a hyper creature in this very cute baby body. She's a great hunter and so cute.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18. Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Want to do something new that won't get you killed? Well then, this hilarious movie is for you! Written and directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk De Micco, this film has been five years in the making. This animated movie is the first animated movie about a family from Dreamworks, and they hit a home run with it. This film captures the voice over work of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. With Nicholas Cage as Grug, the father of the Crood clan; Catherine Keener as Ugga, the mother; Emma Stone as their daughter Eep; Clark Duke as their son Thunk; Sandy Thorn as the adorable yet terrifying baby Sandy; and Cloris Leachman as Gran.

This film is about a pre-historic family that may have their differences but in the end, family comes first and they work through any problems. Follow them on a comedic adventure as they venture through a world entirely new to them and see how the adventure kicks in when they meet Guy, a pre-historic genius caveboy (Ryan Reynalds.)

My favorite character is hard to choose because this is an amazing film and I love the entire Crood family because they are so relatable. They fight and make fun of each other and have fun together, but you can still see that they love each other and that reminds me of my family. No one scene stands out as my favorite, because this film is so entertaining from beginning to end. There is also a great message that this film delivers in telling you to not be afraid of change. Be fearless and go out and live life to its fullest. The animation in this film is extremely well done, from the detail in the animals fur, to the how realistic the water looks. Dreamworks Animation does a phenomenal job with this film and the 3D was outstanding. Alan Silvestri composed the original music for this film and does a great job in capturing the tone of every scene.

This film is great for the entire family, it's a family film about a family! I rate this film a 5 out of 5 stars because it was just one of the best animated movies I have ever seen. I can't wait for this film to come out on Blu-ray so I can buy it and watch it again! Remember, "ride the sun into tomorrow." Julianna Noone, age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This animated film is incredibly funny and is a joy to watch.

Eep (Emma Stone) and her family are the classic cave people. They grunt when they get mad, they have never seen fire and they hunt with their bare hands. They are stuck in a cave by their family leader, husband and father, Grug (Nicolas Cage.) The reason Grug is having his family stay in the cave is to keep them safe and away from harm. One night Eep, the oldest daughter, lets curiosity get the best of her and finds out that the earth is starting to end and they have to find higher ground to survive. Will they accept the challenge or will they keep hiding in their cave?

I really like this film. It's very funny and keeps me laughing at the different situations and scenes. I feel a wide range of emotions as I go from hysterically laughing to a little crying. I absolutely love the 3D animation. It's vivid in colors with the scenes of the landscape, nature and animals in great depth. This is such a fantastic plot and I really like the characters. My favorite character is Eep because she is very brave, curious and just wants a real life. My favorite scene is when Eep is introducing herself and her family from her point of view. I like how she is telling the viewers how life is like for them.

"The Croods" is rated PG with Kirk De Micco (Space Chimps) and Chris Sanders (How to Train your Dragon) directing it. It also stars the voice talents of Ryan Reynolds (Guy), Catherine Keener (Ugga), Cloris Leachman (Gran) and Clark Duke (Thunk). This is DreamWorks first animated film about a family going trough and dealing with changes.

A big message in this film is that change is not always a bad thing. In addition, it's always good to listen to your parents because they know what's best for you.

I recommend "The Croods" for ages 6 to 15 but adults will also enjoy it too.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. It has great detail in the animation and makes me laugh a lot.

Join the adventure and explore the outside world with "The Croods". Brianna Hope Beaton, Age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

"The Croods" tells the story of a caveman family who has survived longer than any of their neighbors because they follow the simple rules of survival. One: stay in the cave; two: stay together; and three: never not be afraid. But when the world starts to change, so does their life. The Croods now have to travel to a new land and break all the rules they once lived by with the help of a new companion, Guy (Ryan Renolds.) Will the Croods make it on their journey of a lifetime, or will their old ways hold them back?

I love this movie! It's actually a lot better than I thought it would be. I especially love the animation and 3D because there is so much attention to detail. The 3D is wonderful because it takes scenes that would otherwise be dull and adds really interesting visuals that pop. For example, there is a scene when the earth is shifting and there is quite a bit of dust, instead of it being a non-memorable shot, they add 3D dust particles everywhere that really make the imagery come to life. I also enjoyed the creativity of the animation. I was expecting the animals to be the typical prehistoric creatures you might see in a caveman film, but they are actually so cute and creative. They seemed to mix two separate species into one, like flying turtles, piranha birds, walking whales and rainbow tigers. The film is very visually entertaining.

I love all the characters in this film because they all play such an important role and they all have such unique and interesting interactions with each other. Eep (Emma Stone), is the rebellious teenager who doesn't want to listen to her father. She falls for Guy and I like her because I can completely relate to her and her relationship with her dad. Then there is Grug (Nicholas Cage) who is the protective father. He wants to follow the ways that he has always known, but gets envious that his family is following the strange instructions of Guy instead of the leader of the family. Thunk (Clark Duke) is Eep's younger brother. He always listens to his fathers rules and is very cautious and hilarious. Sandy (Randy Thom), is the crazy baby sister who is always attacking the rest of the family. She acts more like a dog then a toddler. Gran (Cloris Leachman) is the grandma of the family. She is so rambunctious and lively and Grug is always trying to find ways to finally make her die so he doesn't have to deal with his wife's mother, but Gran never passes away. Ugga is the protective yet understanding mother voiced by Catherine Keener. And last but not least is Guy (Ryan Reynolds) as the new age caveman who helps the Croods on their journey and has to put up with their strange methods of survival.

I really enjoyed this movie. I absolutely love the more modern twist on this age-old tale. One thing that I really enjoyed about the story line is when, at the end of the film, it shows the story being passed down from generation to generation and shows how the story gets "misinterpreted" into being the fairy tale we've all heard.

The CGI animation is very good. It isn't one of those movies that blows me away with special effects and cinematography, but it is definitely well-made.

My favorite character is Jack because I really enjoy Nicholas Hoult in this film. He is the British actor who recently starred in "Warm Bodies" and has played supporting roles in many other films such as "X-Men: First Class" and "Clash of the Titans." He has also starred in the British TV series "Skins" which I am absolutely obsessed with. I love his acting skills when it comes to conveying emotion in a very simple way. Not only do I love Nicholas Hoult, but I really enjoy the fact that Jack is just a farm boy and he is given the chance to prove himself as more than a commoner. He never gives up and he shows that he is clever and there is more to him than meets the eye.

I like that in the first few scenes of the movie it cuts back and forth between Jack and Princess Isabelle as children. It shows their parents reading them the stories of the days when giants and men fought in the kingdom and later in the film it cuts back and forth between the two arguing with their parents. I like these scenes because it shows that even though they were brought up in different ways and live completely different lives, they still have a lot in common.

One thing I want to mention is that the ending is very intense. It's not necessarily scary, but it's very suspenseful and I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat for the last 30 - 45 minutes. The film seems like its ending and I thought that there would be a second film to finish off the story, but then it continues to show the giants attacking the kingdom. This has its pros and cons. The good thing about putting the rescue of the Princess and the invasion of the city all into one film is that I honestly don't think there is enough material to make a second film. The bad thing about this is I feel like the last half hour is very rushed and hectic. Everything happens really fast and I feel like something should have been embellished. Then again, it is an hour and 54 minutes so adding anything else would make the film to long.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is very entertaining and is a wonderful adaptation of the fairytale that has been passed down for generations. I think it's suitable for ages 10 and up because there is no foul language or sexual scenes but there is action, suspense and violence. I think everyone will enjoy this movie because it has action, adventure, comedy, romance, fantasy, drama and it's a classic story! So go check out "Jack the Giant Slayer" in theaters March 1, 2013. Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This movie is the best movie I have ever seen! For me that's saying a lot because I get to see a lot of movies. This movie has so much adventure and the 3D is really cool because it made everything pop out. This movie is awesome.

This movie is all about a guy named Jack who likes the princess but he is only a commodore. By accident the princess gets pushed up in the air by a bean stalk. Jack goes to bring her back and he has to fight a lot of giants along the way. This is when the movie has the most adventure and action. Jack decides that fighting giants is worth it to save the princess.

The main characters in this movie are Jack, Isabella, Rodrick and the giants. My favorite character is Jack because he is risking his life to save the princess, Isabella, and does it. He goes through a really awesome journey that all people would like to do. He is such a good guy and is really smart when he needs to be.

My favorite part in this movie is when Jack kills his first giant. He gets the princess out of the cage and saves another soldier. He kills a giant but the kings best men could not. He saves the princess by sticking a knife in the giants back and the giant starts walking around until his back hit the wall and the knife went all the way through him. It was really cool.

I absolutely love this film because I love Scooby-Doo. The animation and the cinematography are very lively and colorful with great detail. I like how the previous voices of the past Scooby-Doo films are included in this production. My favorite character in this film, and all the other Scooby-Doo films, is Scooby-Doo. I like him because he is funny, he speaks his mind and he is the one that usually finds the hardest clues. Michael Ryan, wrote an amazing script with great humor and mystery. Characters Velma (Mindy Cohn), Shaggy and Scooby are right on with the classic Scooby-Doo films but more up-to-date. Director, Michael Goguen has made this film very up-to-date.

A message found is that the person inside of you is what really matters not what you wear, who you are around or what you have. Also, you can be anything you want to be no matter what people say or do. Just work hard and put your mind to it.

I recommend this film for ages 7 to 15 and give it 5 out of 5 stars. People who love Scooby-Doo mysteries, will definitely love and adore this film. It really has a great story line that flows smoothly and had me smiling and laughing a lot. I truly loved watching this great mystery film.

See another Scooby-Doo and the gangs' adventure in Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon. It is available on a Combo Pack of Blu-Ray, DVD and Ultraviolet, with special features of Bonus Vintage Cartoons: Comic Book Caper, Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye and The Scooby Coupe. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I've been a fan of Hanna-Barbera cartoons my whole life. It started with The Flintstones, Jetsons and Tom and Jerry, but I've also enjoyed less known favorites like Spaceghost, Captain Caveman, Josie and the Pussycats, Jabberjaw, Hong Kong Phooey and of course The Blue Falcon and his sidekick Dynomutt.

This new addition from Twentieth Century Fox was good; however, I was missing something for it to be fantastic. The movie is set at the Mega Mondo Pop Cartoon-a-Con and it's to feature an advanced showing of the full length animation feature of the all new Blue Falcon movie. The Blue Falcon has been retired for many years and has come to only making money peddling t-shirts and autographs at these conventions. Poor Blue Falcon he deserved much more then that. The new Blue Falcon is all about blowing things up with very little left to the imagination of solving crimes. It's a good thing the Mystery Incorporated kids show up when they do because there is a mystery to solve and Fred, Daphne, Velma, Scooby and Norville "Shaggy" (I bet you didn't know that) show up to foil the Blue Falcon villain Mr. Hyde.

In Mystery Incorporated fashion Velma is the brains of the operation while Fred is the trap operator and Scooby and Shaggy are the bait. Daphne, well she's preoccupied with collecting soft cuddly stuffed animals.

The aging Falcon is insanely jealous of the new Blue Falcon movie has sworn that the new Blue Falcon movie will never be shown, putting himself in the position of suspect number one. Have you watched Scooby-Doo? Does the number one culprit ever become the actual villain? I'm just asking.

What did this story miss? It missed the original Blue Falcon and Dynomutt. Yes, Scooby is the most famous talking dog but Dynomutt should have been given his kudos too. The cartoon characters never aged and it was sad to see what they did with Blue Falcon. Blue Falcon is reduced to a sad old man who snaps in and out of reality while ranting about how great he once was and how he hates what's become of his career. Sorry Falcon I apologize for what became of your character and wished they would have scripted this differently.

My favorite scenes are actually inside the convention. Pay special attention to the posters on the wall and see how many of your old favorites made the cut into the movie. Many of mine did not but that doesn't stop me from reminiscing to a simpler time of when I was 4 and 5. Also when the Mystery Inc kids dress up as The Hurculoids I laughed my butt off as Fred wanted to stay in character as Zandor. Sorry Fred you are no Zandor but you looked cute in your costume.

Who is the culprit trying to ruin the convention? Why does he/she want it ruined? Can the Mystery Inc kids solve the crime before the convention gets canceled? Does the Blue Falcon and Dynomutt ever make it to the big screen? Watch the movie to see.

The recommended age range is 5 and up. I give this movie 4 out of 5 twinkling stars because I would really have liked to see more of the original Hanna-Barbera characters make special guest star appearances like they once did with Bewitched, The Harlem Globetrotters and even when the Jetsons met the Flintstones, but I guess that will be their next offering. Morgan Bertsch, age 8, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

A great mystery movie with a surprise ending that you will never expect.

A Cartoon-A-Con is where the mystery starts. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo are enjoying their day visiting their favorite hero "Blue Falcon" at the Cartoon-A-Con. Bad things started to happen. Mr. Hyde begins terrorizing the Cartoon-A-Con. The suspects are; Garrison, the producer of the Blue Falcon movie, who will do anything to promote the movie, Brad Adams, the actor playing Blue Falcon and has no interest in being in the movie, looking for a way out and Hank Prince, owner of a comic book shop that Shaggy always go to.

The plot makes me laugh throughout the movie. There are a lot of funny parts with Shaggy and Scooby trying to find the bad guys. The animation stays the same as the classic cartoon on TV, but this DTV movie has clear and crisp colors.

The plot is just perfect, not too goofy or scary. The voice overs fit the characters and bring out the chemistry between Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. I love the relationship that Shaggy and Scooby-Doo have through out the movie.

The part that I did not like is Velma seems to be very mean and hard on Shaggy and Scooby in this movie.

My favorite parts of this movie are they are making fun of the comic convention attendees, the impression of Adam West by Brad Adams and the nerdy geeks dress up as superheroes. Also, it's making fun of the studio for pitching their latest movie.

The message in this movie is things are not always what they seem.

My favorite character is Scooby-Doo. He makes me laugh and he's a life saver.

I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 and up.

This combo pack has Blu-ray, DVD and Ultraviolet. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I love Scooby-Doo because I love mystery movies and I also love the silly characters!

This film is about The Mystery Incorporated Gang: Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred (Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey DeLisle and Matthew Lillard.) Frank Welker voices Scooby and Fred. The five friends go to the annual Pop-Comacon-Palooza, a comic book convention in California. While they are there visiting the original Blue Falcon lead actor, Owen Garrison (Jeff Bennett), there's a new Blue Falcon movie being screened. While Shaggy and Scooby are upset about the studios forgetting about Owen Garrison and the old Blue Falcon and Daphne is collecting 'Littlest Fuzzies," Velma and Fred are looking for a mystery. As soon as the premier to the new Blue Falcon starts, The Blue Falcon's arch nemesis appears at the scene, threatening all the people at the convention. You'll have to watch to find out if the whole town will be destroyed.

My favorite scene in this film is at the end when they solve the mystery. I can't give the ending away, but it's very exciting!

My favorite character in this film is Brad Adams (Diedrich Bader), the star of the new Blue Falcon movie. I like Brad because he is the stereotypical, full of himself movie actor. I find him quite amusing!

"Scooby-Doo and the Mask of the Blue Falcon" is written by Michael Ryan, directed by Michael Goguen, and produced by Ben Maloney at Hanna-Barbara studios. It is the nineteenth installment in the direct-to-video Scooby-Doo film series released by Warner Home Video. As a bonus there are three old Scooby-Doo episodes to watch: "Comic Book Caper," "Reflections in a Ghoulish Eye" and "The Scooby Coupe."

I was expecting this movie to be just another chick-flick romance, but since this film adds thrill and mystery to a typically cheesy genre, I find myself enjoying it a lot more. It is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, who also directed "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" which is one of my favorite movies. I really enjoy Lasse's style when it comes to scenery and direction, so I find the cinematography in this film to be very beautiful and picturesque. I also enjoy the soundtrack to this movie because it has the perfect balance of sappy romantic melodies, as well as suspenseful pieces to fit the mood of each scene.

The one thing that really bothers me about this movie is the end. There is a pretty substantial plot twist in the middle of the movie, but then another one is thrown in at the very last scene. It is completely unnecessary and takes the film from being relatively realistic, to being totally unrealistic. I hate to say this, but it's just dumb.

My favorite character is Tierney (David Lyons.) He is a detective who plays a major part in the plot, and he has by far the most convincing performance. Every time he comes on the screen, I get this creepy feeling that he isn't exactly what he seems. The main thing I look for when it comes to acting is whether or not the actors are able to make the audience feel something, and David definitely succeeds.

I recommend Safe Haven for audiences ages 13 and up, due to mature content, such as violence and abuse. Ages 13-18 will get the most enjoyment out of it, but it would also be a perfect date night flick for adults. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars, so go check out Safe Haven! Raven Devanney, age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Safe Haven was surprisingly eerie for a romantic movie. I have never seen Julianne Hough play such an intense role before, and she is honest in her acting. She plays a distrusting woman in a new town looking to have no neighbors, friends or any emotional ties, but she forgets that southerners are strangely friendly. Her goal becomes more difficult.

I love the style that the movie is shot, flashing in and out from the present to the past. This movie follows a woman named Katie who runs away from home, urgently from her husband who is stalking and trying to find her. She takes a bus in a disguise to any town and when the bus stops for a pit stop, she decides that the sleepy and quaint little town she has stopped in is the one for her.

Katie (Julianne Hough) has to start over with a new name, house and people. First she gets a job at a local seafood shack and buys a new house. She stops at the local store for groceries and meets a charming little girl named Lexi (Mimi Kirkland), followed by her dad, Alex (Josh Duhamel), who coincidentally is the same guy that sold her coffee the first day in town. Neither of them at first admit it, but it is clear that there is an instant attraction. From then on, whenever Katie goes to the store she sees Lexie and meets her brother Josh (Noah Lomax) and flirts with Alex. Katie tells all of her encounters with Alex to her one neighbor Jo(Cobie Smulders), and Jo encourages the idea of Katie dating Alex. The closer Alex and Katie get, the more dangerous their relationship becomes.

There is a twist when Alex, who is friends with the sheriff, sees a wanted for murder post with Katie's face on it. He confronts her and tells her to leave. Later find out that Katie's husband she is running from, is the police. To find out what happens next, you'll have to see it for yourself.

Jack Conroy (Ethan Hawke) is trying to get some gold and get rich. He wants to hitch-hike along with Alex Larson (Klaus Maria Brandauer) because they are both traveling in the same direction. Alex is not too happy about his company but reluctantly lets him come along. On the way the two come into contact with some wolves and out of self defense they kill the mother of a cub, but they have no idea, so they keep going on with their journey. White Fang is now a lonesome cub without a mother and thinks that the world is full of hate, but Jack proves him wrong as he earns his trust and together they start a great adventure.

I like films that have animals in them, especially dogs or anything similar, so of course I like this one. I think the cinematography and the acting is very well done. I also like the soundtrack because it really fits in good and none of it is out of place. My favorite scene is in the very beginning when you see White Fang as a little cub. He is so cute and fluffy. My favorite character is Jack because he is very persistent in everything he is doing.

Director, Randal Kleiser does an amazing job with this film. Alongside him are writers Jeanne Rosenberg, David Fallon and Nick Thiel who do a great job in converting this story from Jack London's Novel into an amazing script. Other actors and actresses in this film are Susan Hogan (Belinda Casey), James Remar (Beauty Smith), and Billy Moseley (Luke).

A big message in this film is that you should never give up no matter where you are, who is around you, what the situation is or when it's happening. In this film Jack is battling the ice cold water, the wolves, and even though he thinks about giving up, he does not.

I recommend "White Fang" for ages 8 to 15. Some of the scenes are a little too aggressive for younger ages and they might want to turn away. It is still a good film for the family to see.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. This is a good film but some of the plot does not make sense and I do not understand why it is part of the film. I like everything else about it.

Alex (Lance Guest) is a normal boy in his late teens and loves to play the video game "Starfighter." One night, while playing the game, he beats the record, and because he beats the record everyone thinks that you become a Starfighter, including him. Later that night he is taken into the universe to beat enemy forces. In a battle he quickly becomes the last Starfighter and now he has to fight for his life and fight a war against the most powerful villain.

I like "The Last Starfighter" because the plot, which I've never really seen before, keeps my interest. I also like the acting, as it is somewhat hard to act in a Sci-Fi film. Since this is an older film the cinematography is also older, and not as developed in technology as we are today. I like how the soundtrack is not overshadowing other things like the acting and the cinematography. My favorite scene is when Alex and his double see each other and they talk for the first time. It's very funny to see them arguing with one another. My favorite character is Maggie (Catherine Stewart) because she is very confused for the most part, and she is doing some great facial expressions throughout the film.

Director Nick Castle does a good job on directing this film. Other actors are Robert Preston (Centauri) and Dan O'Herlihy (Grig). Although they are not well-known actors, they do a great job.

A message in this film is that anything can happen and everything is possible. You just have to believe. Alex goes on an adventure out in space, but before he ever goes on this journey he thinks that anything like this will never happen.

I recommend "The Last Starfighter" for ages 7 to 14. Older ages may not like it, and younger ages may be a little scared on some scenes, but they won't be terrified. People who love Sci-Fi and video game lovers, this is your film!

The Knights team is impressed and takes him as a player, and Calvin forms a bond with one of the basketball players. Despite his fame, Calvin feels lonely without a family. Will he find one? Although the plot of the movie is predictable, it's a lighthearted and amusing family film.

I recommend this movie to kids 6 and up because the storyline is very easy to follow, and will appeal to more kids around this age group. Raven Devanney, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This is a great movie for Family night. Lil' Bow Wow plays Calvin, a teenage orphan in Los Angeles. Jonathan Lipsnicki (Murph ) and Brenda Song (Reg) play his best friends living in the same orphanage.

Sister Theresa (Anne Meara) runs the orphanage school. She brings some clothing donations to the orphanage. Calvin found a pair of old sneakers with the letters "MJ" inside the shoes. Ox, the orphanage bully, takes the sneakers and throws then onto a power line. Calvin climbs up to the roof to get them back during a storm and falls off with the sneakers on his chest. He starts to play basketball like a pro.

Calvin is chosen at random during a halftime game to play one-on-one with the LA Knight's "Tracy". He was able to score against the basketball pro and his life changes from this moment.

The quality of the movie is awesome. It's clean and sharp. I love how they make it seems real that Calvin can play ball with the pros. The colors are vibrant. The movie soundtrack works well with its comedy. I love it when Tracy tells Calvin that he can't rap and to listen to him, the real rapper.

The beginning of the movie is sad, because all the older orphans consider themselves as dogs, and the toddlers and babies as puppies. All the adopting parents only want puppies. However, the ending is awesome. There are several unexpected twists.

The acting in this movie is amazingly above average. Rapper, Lil' Bow Wow, proves that he's a great rapper and a great actor.

The only part I did not like is the bullying part and the danger that Calvin put himself in when he climbs the roof to get the sneakers.

My favorite characters are Calvin and Tracy. They are such good actors that you can feel how they are connected.

The lesson in this movie is never give up on your dreams and focus on what is good in your life.

There are so many scenes with great cinematography. The most memorable ones are the underwater footage and the sinking of the cargo ship is so real and clear. The 3D brings out the glowing of the jelly fish and the blue wale vividly. Special effects of the tiger is the best part. It seems so real, I thought that the tiger was actually in the boat with Pi. The part I did not like is when the animals were fighting each other. It's too hard to watch the survival of the fittest.

The acting in this movie is so great. Suraj show a lot of emotions with his eyes and he stay in character and the audience can feel his emotions. It's so amazing to see his weight loss as the days go by at sea. My favorite character is Richard Parker. He helps Pi survive the shipwreck and at times he seems more human than creature. The lesson in this movie is anything is possible. Pi survives over seven months in the Pacific Ocean with just faith and Richard Parker. I rank this movie 4 out of 5 stars. I give this age range 8 and up. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

This is truly an amazing story, with a great adventure that is hard to believe. Pi, (Suraj Sharma) an Indian boy, is on a ship with his family who is moving to Canada. One night there is a terrible storm that sinks the ship and only Pi, a Hyena, Zebra, Orangutan and a Bengal Tiger whose name is Richard Parker survive. They are all in one of the small life boats trying to stay alive. After a while it only becomes Pi and Richard Parker who are adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Pi is now trying to survive, but is in fear of Richard Parker.

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, this adventure is created in 3D and is one of my new favorites. The visual effects are amazing and capture the marine life really well with all its beautiful colors. I like the way this film is set up like someone is telling it as a story, this really keeps my attention. One of my favorite scenes is when a big whale comes out of the ocean; it is so big and pretty to see. It is incredible. I also like the way we learn how the Tiger is named Richard Parker. It is somewhat funny and unusual. I would love to know How Director, Ang Lee, directs all the animals in this film, it is truly amazing how they act. David Magee, (screenplay writer) does a remarkable job on transforming a great novel into an amazing script. Other casts in Life of Pi include Vibish Sivakumar (Ravi Patel) and Rafe Spall (The Writer).

A big message I found is to never lose hope no matter where you are in life. Pi is in the middle of the ocean for many many days with a big storm, and a Tiger, but thru it all he never loses hope to be rescued.

I recommend this film for ages 8 to adults. Younger ages may be a little frightened when they see some of the animal scenes, but other than that, this is a must see. You can enjoy it with your family and friends. I give Life of Pi 5 out of 5 stars. I love the message and the visual effects. This is a great story of hope and determination. Believe the unbelievable and see the amazing adventure in Life of Pi. Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Do you love an inspirational fill as much as I do? Well if you do, go out and buy "Life of Pi", out now on Blu-Ray and DVD. This inspirational movie is about a young man who overcomes a disaster at sea, which sends him on an amazing adventure. The Life of Pi was written by David Magee and directed by Academy Award winning Ang Lee and is adapted from the best-selling book of the same name, which was written by Yann Martel.

This film recounts the voyage that Piscine Molitor Patel, better known as Pi, played by newcomer Suraj Sharma, and his family take that goes horribly wrong. See how this life changing voyage will take Pi and an epic adventure of self-discovery.

My favorite character is Pi, because his inner strength is truly inspiring and I find it so up lifting to watch how he changes and grows as a person throughout this movie. Suraj is brilliant in playing the lead role of Pi. This is a great film, so while I don't have a favorite scene, I will say that I love the special features so much. They take you on the nearly four year journey that it took for Ang Lee to complete this film. Ang takes you through process of making this film, from the 3,000 plus actors that they audition to find the right person to play Pi, to Ang's attention to detail in creating his own ocean. I love seeing the amount of hard work and preparation that Suraj Sharma went through to prepare to play Pi.

The cinematography, headed by Claudio Miranda, is nothing short of extraordinary. I love how he has a giant wave tank built on the end of runway in Taiwan. It is amazing to see the transformation from an open wave pool, to the final product in the middle of an "ocean". The CGI, created by Rhythm and Hues, was absolutely mind blowing. The CGI animation used to create the Bengal Tiger was amazing. You can't tell which scenes use the live Bengal Tiger and which were the CGI created Tiger.

I absolutely love "Beautiful Creatures." It is so aesthetically pleasing and the sets and costume design are beautiful. This is a far better film than I expected. It isn't just another teen romance, I believe it has something for everyone. There is quite a bit of humor in this film that is an unexpected bonus, as well as political and religious quips that I found quite entertaining. One thing that really makes this film stand out from the rest is that the main characters aren't visually perfect. They don't look like cut -outs from magazines. I found it extremely pleasing to see that there is more than looks to film stars. I love all the emotion in this film, it is definitely a tear jerker and it pulled at my heartstrings. I love that the acting in this movie. It really made me feel something beyond pure entertainment.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Lena and Ethan because it feels very real and natural. My favorite character is Link, played by Thomas Mann, is by far the funniest character. He is Ethan's right hand man and is always cracking clever remarks and causing laughable moments. I love Thomas Mann from other films such as "Hansel and Gretel," "Project X," "Fun Sized" and other films, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him in this. He has a way of making an audience laugh at awkward moments which is perfect for this movie.

My favorite scene is when Ridley Duchannes comes to town. She is Lena's cousin who has become a dark Caster and is trying to assist her aunt in making sure Lena goes dark and she is quite the character. She pretty much does whatever she wants, whenever she wants and she brings an edgy quality to the quiet town where this movie takes place.

I like the cinematography and the use of lighting and sound track to set the ominous mood for this film. The dull colors and grey wash of the scenery really helped the spook level of the movie. The one thing I had a real problem with was the animation of Mama's face in the last few scenes. This is supposed to be the height of the horror, the films climax, but Mama's face was so unrealistic that I was pulled out of my horrified trance and was no longer scared.

My favorite character is Annabell played by Jessica Chastain because she isn't too enthusiastic about suddenly having to take on a motherly role, especially since the girls have serious social problems. Her boyfriend, the main caretaker of the kids gets seriously injured, leaving Annabell in charge. I loved watching her relationship develop into love for Lily and Victoria, and when Mama came to play, she did a wonderful job showing her fear. My favorite scene is in the very beginning of the movie when it shows how one year old Lily and three year old Victoria ended up in the woods. It was a very twisted scene, but I liked how they showed the girls adapting to their new surroundings. It show them adapting through crayon drawings on the walls and I found that to be very creative.

Overall I give Mama 4 out of 5 stars because it was definitely thrilling, but since it was so similar to some other films in this genre I have to take points away for lack of originality. I recommend Mama for ages 13 and up because of it's intense content. If you're into anything Horror, Thriller or ghost related, then you'll love Mama so go check it out!