Watch Kids' Reviews of
BULLY

This is a film that really shows what's going on and what educators are doing about it. Kids are bullied too much and this documentary shows the sad reality. This also shows the much sadder truth that the educators (who are supposed to be protecting kids at school) are doing nothing but making them shake hands. Bully is all of this and more.

Bully has true drama with a lot of messages behind it. This film is not funny so, if you are looking for a good laugh this is not it. This is not reality TV but a true look into the lives of real people.

This film follows multiple kids and families with kids who did something to them or to others due to bullying. It shows each of their stories and what real kids experienced. Let me tell you, nothing in this film is made up. The horror these families, their friends and their children go through is real. To add to all of this, the school administration is not much help.

I am happy that there is a film that shows what really is going on. The creators also do a very good job at making it as real as possible and they don't fake any emotions. I also like how they include more than one story in this. There is one thing I did not like. As a very active anti-bullying advocate myself, I agree with them. Yes, there is a lot of bullying and it is somewhat of a global epidemic. Yes, we know educators are not helping much and their hands are tied for many reasons. But now what? At the end, this film left me feeling that there is no POSITIVE message. It is definitely helpful to see that all these real stories and, hopefully it will be an eye opener for many people that will see it. But now what? What should we do? What is the right thing for these families to do? I also didn't think it was necessary to make a family show where the son hangs himself. They have been though so much. In my opinion, they could have told their story without going through this once again.

My favorite part and least favorite story is about the boy who grew up happy and energetic but over time became quite and alone. He was bullied and harassed and eventually he committed suicide. To add to the sadness, even though the father was extremely devastated, he had to give the exact amount of love to his other children, which is one of the hardest things to do after something so terrible. There is such a huge dose of reality when I think that it could have been me and my parents who could have experienced something similar to this.

I recommend this film for ages 7 to 18. T0here are bad words and intense scenes but, if you want to educate children about bullying, then they have to see it what could happen if they remain silent bystanders, bullies or victims. It is not about rainbows and sunshine and holding hands. It's about actions that we can take to save lives. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars for its good message. It's a great film but I felt like it wasn't quite finished. Perhaps, Part II is in order?

Reviewed by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry Orz, age 12.

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This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied at school, online, on the bus, at home, through their cell phones and on the streets of their towns, making it the most common form of violence young people in this country experience. BULLY is the first feature documentary film to show how we've all been affected by bullying, whether we've been victims, perpetrators or stood silent witness. The world we inhabit as adults begins on the playground. BULLY opens on the first day of school. For the more than 13 million kids who'll be bullied this year in the United States, it's a day filled with more anxiety and foreboding than excitement. As the sun rises and school busses across the country overflow with backpacks, brass instruments and the rambunctious sounds of raging hormones, this is a ride into the unknown. For a lot of kids, the only thing that's certain is that this year, like every other, bullying will be a big part of whatever meets them at their school's front doors. ...