Pitch Perfect 3 – Stomach-Grabbing Funny With a Touching Side
Friday, December 29th, 2017
After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Talia J. comments, “Pitch Perfect 3 is a hilarious film that hits the other two Pitch Perfect films out of the ballpark. Not only is this film stomach-grabbing funny, but it has a touching and emotional side to it as well.” Kimbirly Orr follows with, “This girl-group franchise does not disappoint and has a powerful soundtrack, which moved me to chair dancing, and I was not alone.” See their full reviews below.
Pitch Perfect 3
By Talia J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15
Pitch Perfect 3 is a hilarious film that hits the other two Pitch Perfect films out of the ballpark. Not only is this film stomach-grabbing funny, but it has a touching and emotional side to it as well.
Pitch Perfect 3 follows the fantastic acapella college singing girls, The Bellas. The girls are now in the real world, but decide to reunite and sing overseas together for a USO (United Service Organization) tour. The girls embark on a fun and crazy journey that allows them to go out with a bang.
Aca-scuse me! There is another Pitch Perfect? I am a huge fan of the Pitch Perfect franchise because of how hilarious and unique the films are. The most unique aspect of these films is the singing. The singing in this film is simply beautiful. Anna Kendrick, who plays Beca, has such a fantastic voice. When she is on screen, people hold their breath in anticipation to hear her sing. Everytime I go to a Pitch Perfect movie I always come out humming a tune. The one disappointing thing about this film is that there is not as much singing as I would have liked. This is the third in the franchise and I expected a lot more singing. Singing is crucial to these films because it is what connects to every demographic. Pitch Perfect films tend be geared towards older audiences, due to inappropriate jokes, however the singing is for a much wider audience. More songs would connect a much larger audience to this film.
This movie is still one of the most hilarious films of the year. I expected a couple of puns and jokes, but my expectations were far exceeded. There are many comedic moments that will make theater goers grab their stomach in laughter. Most of the jokes are inappropriate for younger kids since they are “dirty jokes.” Still, they are very crucial to the movie as they make it feel more upbeat.
There is no Pitch Perfect without Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson). She is, and will always be, the comedic relief the film needs. She is a blunt and lovable character. What makes Fat Amy such an interesting character is the fact that no one ever knows what she is going to do next. My favorite scene is when Fat Amy hijacks a boat and manages to fight her way through it. Who knew she is such a good fighter? Fat Amy will always be the most hilarious character in this franchise.
There are always cameos from famous actors in the Pitch Perfect films such as Snoop Dogg in the last one. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard D.J. Kaelen was going to be in this third film. His cameo is absolutely perfect! At one point, he plays the piano beautifully. I had no idea how good he was. He also brings subtle humor to the film, which gets a thumbs up by me.
The theme is that family doesn’t have to be blood related. I have seen these girls evolve into a family over the years. In this film, they come to realize that they will always have each others’ backs, no matter what the situation.
I give this film a 5 out of 5 soprano stars. The jokes are amazing, characters are unique and the singing is wonderful. I recommend this film for ages 8 to 18 and older audiences will fall in love with this movie as well. This film comes out on December 22, 2017 so go check it out!
Pitch Perfect 3
By Kimbirly Orr, KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror
Before Pitch Perfect hit the scene in 2012, not many knew the power of a cappella. This girl-group franchise does not disappoint and has a powerful soundtrack, which moved me to chair dancing, and I was not alone.
When we last saw the Barden Bellas, they won the world championship, graduated from college and went on a journey to create careers, which did not involve crafting sounds with their mouths. So how did this work out?
In the third franchise film, the Bellas reunite for one last singing event at an overseas USO tour. Much to their chagrin, their competition is a group who uses both instruments and voices. What!?!
While loyal fans of this franchise will love the film, others may see a plot gone array, as the beautiful Bellas go on an adventure in search of a song. Our Bella songstress leader, Beca (Anna Kendrick), longs to be in the music industry, In Pitch Perfect 2, we witnessed her challenge to be noticed as a music producer. In the “be careful what you wish for” files, we see her journey to a not fantastic, perhaps demeaning record label job. Her lack of enthusiasm is palpable, and we feel her joy as she leaves a position where she is not respected.
In other parts of the world, the songstress sisters have similar experiences. Chloe (Brittany Snow) endures attempts to succeed in veterinary school, while Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) struggles for an audience as ‘Fat Amy Winehouse’, an impersonation.
If you don’t succeed, try, try again. Right? The Bellas learn of a U.S.O. Tour and set forth to compete for the prize to perform as the opening act for record producer D.J. Khaled (appearing as himself).
There are new themes in the latest film from the Pitch Perfect franchise. We see new performers, competition twists and Dads. What?! Yes, there is a recurring Dad theme, and I won’t spoil this for you, dear reader.
My favorite part of this film is the camaraderie. It never disappoints. Most true bands of friends never do. I recommend this film for ages 10 to 18 plus adults. While there are a few language issues, and themes of fathers who are MIA, this is a laugh-out-loud fun film with a soundtrack many will love no matter what decade they hail from. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It entertains!
Paddington is happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jolleen M., comments, “This film is hilarious and made me cry a cry of joy and also of sadness, multiple times. It is amazing to watch live characters bond with an imaginary, animated bear.” See her full review below.
The film starts off with a little flash back showing how Paddington was saved from falling off the waterfall when he was a cub, by Uncle Pastuzo and Aunt Lucy. They adopted him and raised him as if he was their own son. Then it returns to present time. Paddington wants to get the perfect gift for Aunt Lucy on her 100th Birthday and decides on a present, but it is expensive. He works hard to earn enough money to buy the gift. One night while he is walking past the store where the gift is, a thief breaks into the store and steals it. Paddington chases after the burglar, but when the police arrive they assume that he is the thief. Paddington is sentenced to 10 years in prison even though he didn’t commit the crime. His family tries to prove his innocence, but they don’t have much evidence.
Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is supposed to be a young bear. Ben Wishaw, who does his voice, doesn’t sound like a young bear to me. He sounds more like a polite and proper man. Even though he doesn’t sound young, his voice matches Paddington’s personality, particularly because Paddington is very polite, kind and sweet.
audience was laughing together. Everyone understood the jokes, adults and children both, which is always great.
tar Wars: The Last Jedi lives up to the hype because of its wonderful story and action. The acting has never been better for the series. This is sure to be a hit for all Star Wars fans.
of the past. Meanwhile, the First Order learns an advanced battle tactic that could destroy the Resistance under Leia (Carrie Fisher). This leads to a newly awakened Finn (John Boyega) forming an unlikely team with the smart Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) and the determined Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), to save the Resistance.
a hopeless Jedi who is adamant on his choices. Adam Driver, as Kylo Ren, is an incredible villain with well-developed motives, as you can feel his inner conflict with the Dark Side. Carrie Fisher, as Leia, delivers an impressive posthumous performance as the tactical leader of the Resistance. Her character is also tied up in a way that respects the actor. John Boyega, as Finn, delivers an excellent performance as his character stops being a coward and transforms into a brave rebel for the Resistance. Kelly Marie Tran, as Rose, is smart and resourceful in her team up with Finn. Oscar Isaac, as Poe Dameron, is a true maverick who refuses to follow orders for the safety of people.
Rian Johnson wonderful directs every scenic location, whether it is from the desolate ship of the First Order to the abandoned, yet beautiful landscapes of Crait. My favorite scene is the one where a certain choice must be made, on the side of Kylo to Rey. My only problem with this movie is that, while the perfomances between Finn and Rose are superb, their subplot drags the movie in a slower middle act. However, this a short part of a long movie is full of story and battles.
As I sat back in the comfy leather seats and watched the star-dusted opening credits roll out in front of me, I reminisced about what it felt like watching the Star Wars series for the first time. It has been a long time since that happened and my only hope was that Star Wars: The Last Jedi would be just as mind-boggling as the others. Shame on me for ever doubting the legendary billion-dollar franchise, because (spoiler alert): It is!
. Otherwise, you will be in for a big surprise. For those who have seen it, then you know that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) makes an iconic return to the big screen and this time, with a vengeance. Luke went into hiding, undetected, to the Porg-infested island of Ahch-To to die. Rey (Daisy Ridley) has a mission to bring Luke back to fight the Resistance as war is once again brewing against the First Order. Millions of porg-encounters later, Rey finally persuades Luke to lend her his knowledge in combat, leaving Luke unsettled by the strength of her powers.
This time around, Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) leads the Resistance due to unforeseen circumstances. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and Holdo go head to head as he refuses to follow Holdo’s rules. This creates major conflict in the storyline, as some things don’t necessarily go as planned during combat. We are also introduced to a new lead character, Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), a maintenance worker that guards the escape pods. She bonds with Finn (John Boyega) as she takes him to her wealthy home of Canto Bight. Though, there’s so much more to this planet than meets the eye.
Now that you have an idea of what the film is about, let’s talk about the magic that goes on behind-the-scenes. To be quite honest, the writing has its lows. There are moments when the audience would let out an uncomfortable laugh due to the awkward, juvenile jokes that we know certain characters would never say or do. It felt somewhat out-of-touch with the Star Wars franchise, especially since they are thrown in during the most serious, suspenseful scenes. Despite that, the rest of the screenplay is groundbreaking. It gives the audience what they want and what they didn’t know they needed. Also, the cinematography is 
phenomenal. Shooting in locations such as Ireland and Croatia, the visual effects team make it seem as though they are off in a galaxy far, far away, without straying from its natural beauty. Special effects, as always, are mind-blowing. It’s nearly impossible not to fathom lightsabers being real. Top it all off with detailed costume design and award-winning acting, and you’ve got yourself a masterpiece.
Loyal audiences won’t be disappointed! From the traditional opening scroll to the non-stop, action-packed 2:32 hours of characters new, known and loved, writer-director Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi is fantastic. As I watched the film, I thought about the yeoman’s task to step into George Lucas’ world, filled with beloved characters, and continuing the tale between good and evil, light and dark, all within The Force. After all, Johnson is known for film shorts and episodic television, not movie studio franchise blockbusters.
When we first see our hero, Luke, (Mark Hamill) I could not help but consider, “if Skywalker lives, hope lives.” Hope is a central theme of this film and is voiced several times by Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega). Only Poe (Oscar Isaac) seems to have a less than optimistic view of the tasks at hand.
ance as Princess Leia is compelling and often funny. She reminds many crew members, “May The Force Be With You” often. At one point, her admonition to Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) is funny. In fact, there are many humorous bits within the film, humanizing the war among the worlds and battles within deep space. When we meet the Porgs, I laughed aloud at their antics, especially when they take flight with Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). The lessons in the film, spoken by various characters are impactful. My favorite is “saving what we love is the only way we fight hate.”
Given the performances of the young actors, and possibilities at the end of the film, I wonder, can this story go on forever? As Luke aptly reminds us, “no one is ever really gone”. Thank you, Luke. May we all know peace and purpose. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18 as well as adults. Some battle scenes could be too intense for younger children.
Ferdinand is a young bull who escapes from a training camp in rural Spain after his father never returns from a showdown with a matador. Adopted by a girl who lives on a farm, Ferdinand’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the authorities return him to his former captors. With help from a wisecracking goat and three hedgehogs, the giant but gentle bovine must find a way to break free before he squares off against El Primero, the famous bullfighter who never loses. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B. comments, “This movie has a good amount of star power with John Cena, Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Daveed Diggs and more. The voice acting is probably one of the best things about this movie. Everyone sounds like they’re having so much fun and that they clearly love their roles.” Sahiba K. adds, “Ferdinand’s compassion is contagious and, with his big innocent eyes and smile, he brightened my day. The animation is visually appealing and adds happiness and joyfulness to every aspect of this film.” See their full reviews and Calista’s interviews below.
First, let’s discuss the animation. I find the animation to be quite Disney-esque. It is fast, fluid and, best of all, colorful – just the way I like animation. The color scheme is very aesthetically pleasing. The flowers especially look amazing, as silly as that sounds. This movie has a good amount of star power with John Cena, Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Daveed Diggs and more. The voice acting is probably one of the best things about this movie. Everyone sounds like they’re having so much fun and that they clearly love their roles. That really helps every character feel so likeable. The voices of the horses are an excellent example. Their accents and mannerisms are hilarious.
sugar! Ferdinand’s compassion is contagious and, with his big innocent eyes and smile, he brightened my day. The animation is visually appealing and adds happiness and joyfulness to every aspect of this film. The music adds an exhilarating effect to the action scenes and made my heart pump faster and faster.
The animation is sublime and gorgeous. There are many scenes where Ferdinand is sitting on his favorite hill, gazing into the distance. The landscape is intricately detailed. You can see the cracks on the cliffs and shadows with the pinkish orange sunset with the trees, flowers and grass swaying with the wind. These scenes transcend words and made me feel the peace and serenity that Ferdinand experiences. Ferdinand’s expressions are priceless, revealing his feelings exquisitely. His ears flap when he is excited and his smile is enormous. The animation is excellent throughout.
everyone and everything. He always does what is right and, no matter how anyone treats him, he considers everyone his friend.
Gumby and Pokey, television’s legendary clay characters, live one great adventure after another in a timeless world of stop motion magic and wonder. Join our favorite duo in this fun-filled collection of 50’s, 60’s and 80’s episodes! When Santa gets sick right before Christmas, will the holiday be ruined or can the Witty Witch save the day and deliver the gifts with the help of a certain someone? Then, Scrooge escapes from his book and sets out to destroy all of the toys in Toyland, but luckily Gumby is there to save the day. From helping the Pilgrims, George Washington, and even the Moon Boggles, to rescuing a baby mastodon in the arctic, these unique shows will spark your imagination and bring a smile to your heart. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “Even though this collection’s branded as Arctic, there are many episodes that leave the Arctic Circle and dive into history. Some of the best include visiting the American Revolutionary War or the voyage on the Mayflower. Gumby really makes them shine by bringing humor and unique adventures to each one.” Carla P. adds, “I believe the DVD Gumby: Gumby’s Arctic Adventure is a great series because of its claymation and characters. I found it brought cheer to my Christmas and made me happy.” See their full reviews below.
omises to entertain the whole family with great humor suitable for all ages. Its spectacular soundtrack really brings the show justice.
sh. Almost all Gumby episodes feel a bit unfinished and seem to do little to address the conflict that made the story exist, which leaves the viewer slightly disappointed.
ture is a great series because of its claymation and characters. I found it brought cheer to my Christmas and made me happy.
