KIDS FIRST! News

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Elsy S. comments, “I love the film Downton Abbey because of its intriguing plotline, deep topics, and how the story is very authentic to the time period in which it is set… The complexity of this story really helps pull together the Crawley family stories and provides an incredible ending to the popular show. One aspect that really impressed me is how it manages to maintain several plotlines at the same time, and how everything, especially the costumes, are very authentic to the time.” See her full review below.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
By Elsy S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Michelle Dockery stars as Lady Mary and Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale. Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

I love the film Downton Abbey because of its intriguing plotline, deep topics, and how the story is very authentic to the time period in which it is set.

The story takes place in the early 1930s and follows several characters we have come to know. Mary (Michelle Dockery), is faced with divorce, which was utterly scandalous at that time; she is scorned by other nobles, and isn’t permitted to take charge of Downton Abbey. Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) experience extreme financial struggles, due to Lady Cora’s brother, Horace’s (Paul Giamatti) irresponsibility with Cora’s inheritance. Eventually, we discover that Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola), Horace’s supposed finance expert, has been stealing their money and threatening Mary.

Eventually, the financial problems are resolved and Mary regains her respect, with the film ending as Mary reflects on her past in a bittersweet manner.

Laura Carmichael stars as Lady Edith and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale.
Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

The complexity of this story really helps pull together the Crawley family stories and provides an incredible ending to the popular show. One aspect that really impressed me is how it manages to maintain several plotlines at the same time, and how everything, especially the costumes, are very authentic to the time. I felt that several characters don’t quite have the emotional depth of others, such as Lord Horence, who doesn’t seem to feel anything throughout the film except for superiority.

My favorite part is when Mary is forced to hide beneath the stairs due to the rule that royalty can’t be in the same room as a divorced woman, which is actually quite heartbreaking.

Hugh Bonneville stars as Robert Grantham in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale. Credit: Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

My least favorite part is when Lady Grantham’s brother, Horence, asks her for part of her inheritance that is left after Horence has squandered it away.

The film’s message is about keeping your head held high, and not care what others think of you. It also reminds us to value our family. Be aware that there are some references to more adult concepts, mild nudity, and substance usage.

I give Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It releases in theaters on September 12, 2025.

Party Time with Patrick is an album for kids and families that celebrate fun things in life like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, summer, holidays and more. Upbeat and fun, this album is meant to make you smile and sing along.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eli C. comments, “I really like the album Party Time With Patrick because the lyrics are super catchy, the topics are goofy, and the songs are enjoyable to listen to. The instrumentals are especially noteworthy.” KIDS FIRST! Music Critic, John Wood adds, “On first listen, I was not a fan of Party Time With Patrick. The frenetic, in-your-face vocals and relentless bounce of the music were off-putting to my dainty musical tastes. But in fairness, first impressions can be deceiving. So I did what any fair-minded reviewer does: I stepped back, looked to the margins, opened the blinders, and gave the whole thing a poke with a stick. And wouldn’t you know it—it moved. It jumped. It danced. It sang like it was having fun.” See their full reviews below.

Party Time With Patrick
By Eli C., KIDS FIRST Film Critic, age 10

I really like the album Party Time With Patrick because the lyrics are super catchy, the topics are goofy, and the songs are enjoyable to listen to. The instrumentals are especially noteworthy.

Party Time With Patrick is a 30 minute pop and rock album by Patrick Adams. In each of the 10 fun songs, he celebrates a different special occasion in both a digestible and danceable way, wonderfully mixing pop and rock in songs like Graduation Days, Champions, Birthday Bash, and more. This upbeat album is meant for kids and parents alike to jam out to and definitely made me get up and dance to its great melodies.

I could certainly see some of these songs making it to a kid’s birthday party. Its catchy and fun tunes are more appropriate to kids younger than me and I imagine they would be moving and singing along to the music.

The songs have a 1990s to early 2000s vibe, which might give some parents a bit of nostalgia. The instrumentals are my favorite part of each song. Props to Erik Gatchalian, who provides instrumentals for this album. He really works his magic and gives the songs that professional feel. However, at times it seems that the vocals and the instrumentals don’t mix all that well. Note that this album focuses primarily on fun topics. My favorite song is Champions because both the instrumentals and vocals really shine.

The album sends the message to always celebrate special and important occasions as much and as many times as you can.

I give Party Time With Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available at online music retailers now.

Party Time With Patric
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Music Critic

On first listen, I was not a fan of Party Time With Patrick. The frenetic, in-your-face vocals and relentless bounce of the music were off-putting to my dainty musical tastes. Imagine a marching band colliding with a sugar rush, and you’ll have the general idea. But in fairness, first impressions can be deceiving. So I did what any fair-minded reviewer does: I stepped back, looked to the margins, opened the blinders, and gave the whole thing a poke with a stick.

And wouldn’t you know it—it moved. It jumped. It danced. It sang like it was having fun. Whatever my reservations, the music is varied, well-played, and professionally produced. The lyrics, while not my brand of poetry, have a democratic charm: they practically call out to a kid, “Hey—you could write a song too!” And that’s not nothing. Encouraging creativity is always a win.

The album’s theme is celebrations—holidays of all shapes, sizes, and calendars. If you’ve ever thought, “We should throw a parade for Arbor Day,” Patrick’s your guy. It’s about year-round license to let your hair down (or up, or sideways—free country). It’s a rousing, rip-roaring sing-a-long of yearly celebrations from birthdays to New Years.

There’s something admirable about taking every excuse to party, even if your idea of a wild time is cake for breakfast. Now, here’s the rub: I’m not sold on Patrick’s singing and the lyrics didn’t resonate with me. And yet, somehow, the whole contraption keeps chugging along and there are some very strong instrumentals, clever production and performances here.  Making any children’s album is a feat of logistics, heart, and caffeine, and on that front, Patrick delivers. Whether or not you want to hop aboard the Patrick Train—that’s your call.

Me? I can lead a horse to water, but I can’t make it sing along. That’s why I use a pen instead of a pencil—less erasing, more committing.

So, here’s my advice: give it a listen and decide for yourself. Maybe you’ll dance. Maybe you’ll wince. Maybe you’ll end up somewhere in between, tapping your foot in spite of yourself. Either way, it’s a party, and Patrick has already passed out the noisemakers.

If its purpose is to create some fun, encourage kids to participate and dance along, then that’s been achieved. The content is appropriate for its target audience – it’s loud, has a kid’s mosh pit vibe – if there is such a thing. As to whether it will stick over repeated play that is debatable.

I give Party Time with Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now at online retailers.