KIDS FIRST! News

The New Adventures of Gumby: The 1980s Series Volume 2. Welcome back Gumby and Pokey in this wild, wacky and inventive collection of 80 s episodes! Featuring 49 clay-animated episodes, fully re-mastered from their original camera rolls and soundtracks. Also making appearances are Prickle, Goo, the Blockheads, Professor Kapp, Dr. Zveegee, the Moon Boggles, and Gumby s parents Gumbo and Gumba. New characters include Gumby’s sister Minga, Denali the Mastodon and Tilly the chicken! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Nathalia J. comments, “The 1980’s show was a hit when my mom and uncle were growing up and it brought back so many memories for my mom. We welcome back Gumby and Pokey in this wild, wacky and inventive collection created and written by Joe Clokey. I love that this DVD features 49 claymation episodes that are fully re-mastered from their original camera work and soundtracks.” Beatrice N. adds, “Do you have little kids in your house? If you do, you should definitely share with them The New Adventures Of Gumby: The 1980’s Series, Volume 2. This claymation show from the 1980’s is the perfect series for any little kid with an imagination and a creative mind. For all you adults out there who remember Gumby & Pokey, then welcome back!” See their full reviews below.

The New Adventures of Gumby: The 1980’s Series Volume 2
By Nathalia J. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

The 1980’s show was a hit when my mom and uncle were growing up and it brought back so many memories for my mom. We welcome back Gumby and Pokey in this wild, wacky and inventive collection created and written by Joe Clokey. I love that this DVD features 49 claymation episodes that are fully re-mastered from their original camera work and soundtracks. Gumby and Pokey return for fun-filled adventure. Get ready! It’s going to get wild.

This DVD takes you alongside Gumby and his imaginative friends as they solve problems, have fun and help others. These episodes include a lot of audience interactions, which lets the audience contribute to Gumby’s adventures.  The characters include Gumby, Pokey, Prickle, Goo, the Blockheads, Professor Kapp, Dr. Zveegee, the Moon Boggles and Gumby’s parents, Gumbo and Gumba. Also making an appearance are new characters – Gumby’s sister Minga, Denali the Mastodon and Tilly the chicken.

My favorite part is the fact that each episode is fully re-mastered from the original. How iconic is this? I’d say pretty cool! The animation is extremely creative with loveable color episodes. There are a variety of songs on this DVD, with various tempos and music types.

My favorite character is absolutely Gumby, because he’s always positive and shares his positivity with others. I also love how he never gives up and works so well with his team. He’s dedicated to his friends and to the idea of friendship.

I watched The New Adventures Of Gumby: The 1980s Series, Volume 1 previously and I very much enjoyed Gumby’s many adventures with his friendly bud with yellow pricks on his tail, named Prickle.

There are multiple episodes on this DVD, which express multiple messages. If had to choose the main message, I would say it is that “teamwork makes the dream work.” That and “don’t be afraid to ask for help.” There is no bad language on this DVD or any unsafe actions that kids will try to imitate.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7, as well as adults. It’s a series that  certainly will bring back memories if you grew up watching Gumby when you were younger. It’s available now, so look for it. You’ll be glad you did.

The New Adventures Of Gumby: The 1980’s Series, Volume 2
By Beatrice Nail, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

Do you have little kids in your house? If you do, you should definitely share with them The New Adventures Of Gumby: The 1980’s Series, Volume 2. This claymation show from the 1980’s is the perfect series for any little kid with an imagination and a creative mind. For all you adults out there who remember Gumby & Pokey, then welcome back! We rejoin Gumby along with Pokey, Prickle, Goo, The Blockheads, Professor Kapp, Dr. Zveegee, the Moon Boggles, Gumby’s mother Gumba and his Father Gumbo….plus a couple of hilarious newcomers.

Gumby was once just a slab of clay then one day he rose to life. He can walk into any book and once inside the book, he becomes part of it! Every time he gets knocked down he becomes flattened like a pancake. But he always gets back up and right back into shape again! Every episode is a new adventure and sometimes there is a lesson to go along with it. Gumby can have the best time with his friends, or the worst time with the Blockheads, depending on the storyline and characters in the episode. Speaking of characters, the new friends we meet include Gumby’s sister Minga, a mastodon named Denali and a chicken called Tilly!

The theme song is a fun tune sung by kids that will make you want to sing along with them. In every episode the music changes. In some episodes the music is creepy. In some it can be silly and bubbly. It all depends on the episode. Gumby originally debuted in 1956, was re-introduced in the 1970’s and came out again, for a third time in the 1980’s! The animation is unique because it is claymation. The creator and writer of the series, Mr. Art Clokey, also voices Pokey the horse, Gumby’s sidekick. Fun Fact, the bump on Gumby’s head is based on a picture of Mr. Clokey’s father from when he was a kid. In the picture, his hair is sticking up on one side creating a little bump. Mr. Clokey always thought this was funny, so he gave the same bump to his title character Gumby! Let’s talk about some of the other supporting characters, shall we? Prickle is a cheerful dinosaur who goes on Gumby’s adventures with him, the two mischievous Blockheads can’t ever seem to get themselves out of trouble and Goo is a hilarious clay person with a bubbly personality. 

The message of the story is to never grow up and that it’s okay to let your brain wander and to always be creative. I give this series 4 1/2 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 3 to 8. It is available on DVD now.

Everyone loves to dance–from furry little monsters to furry BIG Snuffleupaguses. This special collection includes over two hours of content that will make your child want to move and groove. Little ones will love to see real kids dancing flamenco, doing an Irish stepdance, clapping out West African beats, and cha-cha-ing all over the place. They’ll learn to dance like a dinosaur, a robot, and Elmo! Includes appearances by Amy Ryan, Liev Schreiber, Maria Menounos, Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Jason Derulo and performances by Ne-Yo, Feijóo Sisters, Janelle Monáe and Sara Bareilles. Bonus Features – Elmo’s Music Magic. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “This DVD is absolutely awesome! It is so enjoyable to watch and it’s educational at the same time. It teaches you how to perform different dances, which can be very entertaining for active children.” Selene W. adds, “Stomp and slide while watching Sesame Street: Dance Party!  What could be more fun than clapping your hands, stomping your feet, touching your toes and wiggling and jiggling your way to learning new dance moves with the Sesame Street characters and their special guests?” and Jolleen M. wraps it up with, “The different scenes feature the Muppet characters of Sesame Street learning all about dance. They learn different styles of dance from all over the world, how to dance, what a choreographer is and much more. The DVD also teaches the audience the dances and then encourages people to get up and dance.” Check out their full reviews below as this DVD comes out on August 6, 2019.

Sesame Street: Dance Party
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

This DVD is absolutely awesome! It is so enjoyable to watch and it’s educational at the same time. It teaches you how to perform different dances, which can be very entertaining for active children.

Sesame Street: Dance Party has so much to watch. Every single scene is adorable, from Rosita and some friends learning how to do the chicken dance to Elmo teaching you the happy dance. And it has all of our most favorite and lovable characters such as Elmo, Rosita, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus.

This DVD teaches your children what a choreographer is and does. Also, the episodes teach you different dances and you learn about where they came from. My favorite scene is when Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus try to find their favorite dance.

Throughout the DVD, there are a bunch of great messages. Some of my favorites are: learning is fun, dance can show different cultures and our voices can do amazing things. This DVD has no bad language and no bad behavior. There is nothing risky or dangerous that kids might try to do.

I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 7. Adults will also think that it is cute to watch with their children and can participate in some of the dances. It is available August 6, 2019. Look for it.

Sesame Street: Dance Party!
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Stomp and slide while watching Sesame Street: Dance Party!  What could be more fun than clapping your hands, stomping your feet, touching your toes and wiggling and jiggling your way to learning new dance moves with the Sesame Street characters and their special guests? 

All of your favorite characters are included in this party, which starts off with Elmo’s “Happy Dance.”  Elmo and friends learn about dances from all around the world with their friend Nina.  Nina explains that you can learn to dance by learning one step at a time and to find the dance that’s perfect for you. Different Sesame Street characters appear in various segments while learning about different cultural dances as well as the joys of counting and helping friends.  What dance party would be complete without Zoe who makes her appearance throughout this dance party! 

Love the settings throughout the party and especially the costumes in Zoe’s production of “Six Swans,” which is one of my favorite scenes. 

The message of this DVD is to keep learning and to learn new things – including dance moves.  Have fun while watching the Elmo Slide, Big Bird ChaCha, the Dinosaur, Snuffie’s Hokey Pokey, the Conga and the Chicken Dance! It’s always more fun to learn with friends and of course everyone loves Elmo!

I rate this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 6.  This DVD comes out August 6, 2019 so watch for it.

Sesame Street: Dance Party
By Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

This DVD is educational and inclusive! All of the storylines enlighten the audience with morals or teach new skills. The puns, irony and jokes are hilarious. Even though I am not in the target age range, I still enjoyed watching this DVD.

The different scenes feature the Muppet characters of Sesame Street learning all about dance. They learn different styles of dance from all over the world, how to dance, what a choreographer is and much more. The DVD also teaches the audience the dances and then encourages people to get up and dance.

The Sesame Street Muppets are very colorful. Each looks very unique. I love that each one has a different personality. Some of them have best friends and others get along with everyone. The humans are also included in this community and interact with the Muppets. This complexity makes the DVD even more interesting. The set of Sesame Street looks realistic and is so colorful. The characters seem to have access to every part of the shops and buildings.

My favorite part is when Alan is pressured into being a swan for Zoe’s “Six Swan Dance.” He has to put on a swan costume, which includes a tutu. He also has to carry Snuffy, who is a large monster. I think Alan is very inspiring, doing all of these things for Zoe and remaining determined. It is really funny to watch his reaction to the seemingly impossible task requested of him.

Each of the scenes has different messages. All encompass taking dance, one step at a time, asking for help from the choreographer when needed and encouraging everyone to dance. Nina is the main teacher in this DVD and she is quite knowledgeable about all types of dances from all over the world.  She helps the Muppets find their personal dance style and prevents them from becoming overwhelmed when trying to learn the dances. 

This DVD is so adorable. It would be a great introduction to dance for children. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages of 2 to 6. This is releases August 6, 2019, so go check it out!

Every day Henry meets something new! I wonder what Henry’s going to meet today? Henry is a 4-year-old boy who always wants to learn and find out more. In each episode, Henry has a friendly chat with whatever he meets and discovers something new…”Hello, Caterpillar. How do you turn into a butterfly?”  “Hello, Bear. What is hibernation?” “Hello, Telescope. What is a constellation?” No matter what Henry meets, they’re always delighted to talk, laugh and share their amazing world with him. After finding out so many amazing things about his new friends, Henry lets his imagination run wild and imagines himself. As a Paleontologist discovering dinosaurs. As a skateboarder learning how to jump, flip and grind. As a show jumper to help a horse win a top prize. As a teacher learning all about school. As a detective solving cases. And more! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Selene W. comments, “Henry is an inquisitive and playful little boy who loves to learn!  Every day he meets new friends, whether they are a human, animal or an object, they are all of interest to him.”  Ethan P. adds, “I like this DVD because the music is very catchy and the episodes are short and entertaining… The moral of these episodes is not let people, well in this case things, underestimate your abilities to do something you want to do or be.  Henry is always positive; he can do whatever his imagination tells him to do.” Siaki S. wraps it up with, “ Siaki S. wraps it up with, “I like this DVD and it reminds me to be more like Henry – be creative, active and enjoy the moment that is given to us. Henry reminds us to never give up and that is true in life.” See their full reviews below.

The Day Henry Met: Season Two
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Henry is an inquisitive and playful little boy who loves to learn!  Every day he meets new friends, whether they are a human, animal or an object, they are all of interest to him.  The Day Henry Met DVD has 26 episodes to inspire curiosity.  Who or what will Henry meet next?

My favorite episode is The Day Henry Met… A Dinosaur Bone as I love the museum setting and the fact that he travels back in time.  This episode is both educational and fun.  There are so many good moments in this series including The Day Henry Met… a Violin, a Tennis Racquet and an Ice Cream Van.  Can’t forget The Day Henry Met…A Comic Book!  Super Henry appears to make the city safe and happy.  Love all the fun characters and situations in this episode. 

The voices in this series reflect all of the diverse characters that Henry meets and really bring the characters to life.  This series, directed by Gary Gill, is playful and will appeal to younger children.  The illustrations are reflective of children’s drawings and are quite appealing.  It is so imaginative that it makes you view the world around you in a different light as Henry talks to whomever or whatever he meets each day.

The message of this series is to explore life, friendship, be curious and learn from those around you.  There is something to learn in every situation, even if you are with a dustbin or a sponge!

I rate this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 8.  Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.

The Day Henry Met; Season 2
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, Age 10

The storyline is about a 4-year-old, red-head boy named Henry, who has a big imagination.  In every episode Henry meets something new.  He talks to different objects, animals or things.  Once Henry interacts with the objects such as a violin, a skateboard, a camera, a horse or a bear, these things or animals make Henry’s imagination go wild.  For example, Henry imagines such things as being a conductor or a detective.  Henry also wants to learn and find out more about the objects he interacts with.  At the end of each episode, Henry’s mom calls him and Henry’s imagination ends by him saying goodbye to the objects he was talking to.

The animation style of this DVD is simple and plain, looking as if it is hand drawn. Basically, all the objects have eyes and a mouth, including the house.  What caught my attention is that Henry has a voice like a 12-year-old.  He sounds much older than a little kid.  I like how friendly his chats are with the different animals and objects.  The episodes are so short that I didn’t lose interest while watching them.  My favorite episode is “The Day Henry Met A Dustbin” because, out of all the episodes, this particular one is the most realistic one for my age.  Henry wants to be a garbage man so he can help his trash can and all the other trash cans in his neighborhood to be emptied, because the garbage man who had that route is sick and cannot pick up the trash that day.

I like this DVD because the music is very catchy and the episodes are short and entertaining. The Day Henry Met; Season Two has 26 episodes of cute little stories.

The moral of these episodes is not let people, well in this case things, underestimate your abilities to do something you want to do or be.  Henry is always positive; he can do whatever his imagination tells him to do.

I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 8, but adults can watch it with their kids and might find it interesting.  This DVD is available now, so look for it.

The Day Henry Met Season 2
By Siaki Sii, KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, Age 16

This series of episodes is definitely full of laughs and fun to watch, which I didn’t expect it to be. It took me by surprise.  This DVD is definitely colorful, entertaining and a big “yes” to capture younger kids’ attention spans quickly. The show is produced and directed by Susan Broe and Gary Gill who are definitely tuned into the younger audience.

This story follows a little 4-year-old boy, Henry, who is eager and excited about life and learning new things. He’s always discovering interesting facts and tactics in every episode. One of my favorite episodes is called “Running Shoes,” because Henry becomes an athlete, as well as an opponent to the running shoes, to help the running shoes compete against himself in the 100 meter dash and finish the competition. Although the shoes are just a pair of shoes, he wants to give the shoes meaning. As Henry is inches away from winning, he scurries over to the running shoes to put them on and finish the race.

I like this DVD and it reminds me to be more like Henry – be creative, active and enjoy the moment that is given to us. Henry reminds us to never give up and that is true in life.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10, as well as adults. Adults will enjoy it all the messages that remind us to be better and always try harder – to be just like Henry in many different ways. This DVD is available now, so look for it.

It’s summer vacation and The Cat in the Hat whisks Nick, Sally and Fish off on the greatest great outdoor camping adventure ever! Our gang gets back to nature as they hike through the Fickle Fern Forest, camp out overnight, trek over Mt. Weewobble and canoe down the Tickle Drop River… just in time for Fish to meet up with his family for a grand reunion. Along for the ride are Little Cats A, B and C, who discover there’s wonder in nature once their electronic devices are powered off! Nick and Sally help keep the Little Cats out of trouble, while Fish tries to keep his jacket pressed and the mud out of his fancy fishbowl… all while getting up close to some of nature’s most awesome sights, and learning how best to respect them. After being lulled to sleep under the stars by a chorus of animals, the morning brings Everyone agrees it really has been the Greatest Great Outdoors Adventure Ever! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Selene W. comments, “This DVD features the incredibly talented and funny Martin Short as the voice of the Cat in the Hat!  The illustrations and animation are what you would expect from the Cat in the Hat’s world and I especially enjoyed the fantastical wilderness scenes. ” Morgan B. comments, “I absolutely love all the different things I learned about from this DVD! The animation is spot on in this show which brings out a lot of cool stuff.” Alejandra G. adds, “ This series is very enjoyable for kids to watch. The plot is well designed for kids to understand and relate to the stories.” Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror adds, “What a great DVD to get you in the mood for the upcoming summer vacation! I’m a big fan of the Cat in the Hat and his shenanigans. This one does not disappoint!” See their full reviews below.

The Cat in The Hat Knows a Lot About Camping!
By Selene Weiss, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Looking for adventure this summer?  Look no further than the new DVD The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping!  Join The Cat in the Hat, Nick, Sally and Fish on their trip to Fish’s family reunion.  Along the way they are joined by the Little Cats as well as an appearance by Thing 1 and Thing 2!  Plenty of trouble ahead for this group.

On the way to Fish’s family reunion his fancy new fishbowl starts to leak.  The Cat in the Hat tries to fix this problem for his friend and as usual lands the group in more trouble.  The “thingamajig” heads to a crash landing and Thing 1 and Thing 2 appear to help their friends.  The group starts on a wilderness trek to help Fish make his way to his family when they discover the joys of nature.

This DVD features the incredibly talented and funny Martin Short as the voice of the Cat in the Hat!  The illustrations and animation are what you would expect from the Cat in the Hat’s world and I especially enjoyed the fantastical wilderness scenes.  The river scenes in particular are my favorite animation on this journey.

The message of this adventure is to enjoy the great outdoors and don’t get lost in your screen-time.  Interacting with people, things and the world around you is more important than viewing life on a screen.  The Little Cats learn this lesson several times on this DVD.

I rate this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 12.  The DVD is available now so look for it.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping!
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, Age 10

I like this DVD because it is very entertaining and useful.  The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping has a duration of one hour and you can watch it in English or Spanish.

This DVD is about two kids named Nick and Sally pretending to camp in their backyard on their first day of summer vacation.  The Cat in the Hat (Martin Short) comes to visit them with his friend Fish who has a family reunion at the time.  The Cat in the Hat tellls Nick and Sally that he is going to set up a camp at Fish’s family reunion.  Nick and Sally are very excited because they really are going camping. The Cat in the Hat takes his hat off and his three little cousins come out of the hat, Little Cat A, Little Cat B and little Cat C.  During their journey to Fish’s family reunion, The Cat in the Hat teaches the kids and the little cousins a lot about nature, insects and the beautiful landscape, with the help of a special electronic device.  Meanwhile, Fish is worried about his special suit not getting ruined during their journey to the reunion and his fancy fish bowl not getting muddy (so he can show it off to his family).  Unfortunately, this trip is not going the way Fish wanted to go.

The animation on this DVD is the same as other Cat in the Hat movies.  The songs are catchy and pleasant to listen to.  The show features Martin Short, from The Three Amigos, as the voice of the Cat in the Hat.  My favorite scene is when the Cat in the Hat, Fish, Nick and Sally are flying in the air in the Thingamajigger singing “Go, go, go, go on an adventure.”

The moral of this show is “no matter how you dress, how look, or what you have, your family will  love you for who you are.”  Family doesn’t care about your appearance or your possessions.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping!
By Alejandra G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

To start off, this DVD impacts children in a positive way with its great vocabulary and important lessons that are taught in each episode. This series is very enjoyable for kids to watch. The plot is well designed for kids to understand and relate to the stories. I can understand why kids are attracted to it. The way the show is made, with all the colorful objects and cute plots draw the kids in quite easily and, in that moment, their life seems interesting.

All the episodes on this DVD have different stories and plots, but the format and the meaning is pretty much the same. All the adventures are different, but every one teaches the lesson that you can play and have fun in nature enjoying the most awesome sights. You can have a great time without damaging the environment yet, you still need to respect and take care of it. Along with that, the viewer experiences some great adventures that are unforgettable.

My favorite scene is at the end of one episode when The Cat in the Hat, Nick, Sally, Fish and all his family gather together in one musical finale extravaganza where they are all celebrated as true adventurers. I like this scene because it is very creative, has great songs and the little musical finale is so well organized. It definitely gets children’s attention since it really stands out.

The important message gleaned from these episodes is that people and children can have fun without electronic devices. This DVD teaches kids about the wonder in nature. It shows how phones, computers and other electronic devices are not more fascinating than the activities you can do in nature. It shows you how to share quality time with the people you love and learn about your surroundings.  This DVD is available now so, go check it out. It’s just in time for summer vacation.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Camping!
By Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror

What a great DVD to get you in the mood for the upcoming summer vacation! I’m a big fan of the Cat in the Hat and his shenanigans. This one does not disappoint! It’s entertaining for the whole family and children, ages 3 to 9 will love it! I like that all the characters such as the Fish are included in this fun outdoor adventure. It also has a great story line from the beginning to end and it’s just so fun to watch. I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. I also like that it is rather original and the animation and soundtrack are great. I give this 5 out of 5 stars and think that the adults will also enjoy watching this one with their young children. This is available now, be sure to go check it out.

Kidd Mane is a lion cub without a home – that is, until he wanders into the western settlement of Tuckerville, which happens to be a town without a sheriff! Meeting folks and making friends, Kidd applies for the job and, with a little help from the long-suffering town council – Judge Ryker, Miss Scarlet, and Miss Clarabelle – he becomes the new sheriff of Tuckerville! Unfortunately, this puts Kidd at odds with the notorious town founder, Mr. Bucktooth Tucker! With a new sheriff in town, Tucker’s crooked schemes are in jeopardy – until he resolves to run Kidd out, just like he did to the previous sheriff. Teaming with his devious lawyer, Jeb Easton, and recruiting two brutish thugs, Cliff and Gnash McGavin, Mr. Tucker pulls out all the stops to retain control of Tuckerville! On a collision course with the town’s old guard, it’s up to Sheriff Kidd and his loyal deputy, Tibs, to stand strong and turn back Mr. Tucker’s threat – or lose Tuckerville forever! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Elle S. comments, “This is very appealing, due to its excellent production and storyline.  Children will enjoy the animated animals talking and being expressive. There’s also a wild western location they will enjoy.” SaniyaRain adds, “Another good thing The Lion Kid teaches is that we should believe in ourselves. This is when the film shows that we should always have courage. For example, Mane doesn’t back down to the people who try to run him out of the sheriff position. He stands up to them and for what is right.” Morgan B. chimes in with, “My grandfather would be so happy that they are bringing westerns back and I am to wear to my “Howdy Sheriff” hat and my horseback riding. On top of that, I absolutely love westerns and the innovation in this film.” Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer wraps it up with, “The production quality of this film is excellent. The CGI visuals are of a Dreamworks’ animation quality. The sound quality is clear and suitable for most people, as is the soundtrack.” See their full reviews below.

The Lion Kid
By SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The animated film The Lion Kid is full of surprises. The story focuses on a lion named Mane who is looking for a job. The first surprise is that he is not what we think when we think of in lions:  He’s nice, not mean, and he’s friendly.

Mane is traveling alone in a new town and meets a member of the town council who wants him to become the sheriff.  Mane is interested in the job, but he doesn’t realize that becoming the sheriff will bring him problems. Not everyone in the town is happy about this idea. There is a man who is running the town, and everyone is too scared to stand up to him.  The problems Mane has to face will teach him that he is able to be strong and brave.

The animation is basic. There are not many special effects in this movie, and it doesn’t look as real as some animated films. The cinematography is like the town: simple. I have to say that the movie is a bit slow at times. I was looking for more action and adventure, since it is set in a Western town. I thought it might have a little more violence, but I’m glad that it doesn’t because a lot of kids’ movies have too much.

I will say that I learned a lot, though. Some of the things I learned, I already knew, like that sometimes life is a big challenge. At first Mane faces challenges because no one wants to hire him without experience. That is why I was surprised when he becomes the sheriff. It is almost like he is forced into becoming the sheriff, and when he does, Mane promises to do his best and makes rules for people to follow.

Another good thing The Lion Kid teaches is that we should believe in ourselves. This is when the film shows that we should always have courage. For example, Mane doesn’t back down to the people who try to run him out of the sheriff position. He stands up to them and for what is right. He shows that doing what’s right is the best thing to do. I was happy to see that Mane does not back down and doesn’t run away.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 5 to 8. The Lion Kid releases July 2, 2019, so give it a shot and watch it because there’s always something to learn.

The Lion Kid
By Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

My grandfather would be so happy that they are bringing westerns back and I am to wear to my “Howdy Sheriff” hat and my horseback riding. On top of that, I absolutely love westerns and the innovation in this film.

The animation in this film is actually very dimensional and very colorful. Both combine to make a brand new world, filled with animals that can talk such as aardvarks, elephants and lions (of course). Oh my! And on top of that, flying high are sky-high balloons that can float up into the air, evil villains and so much more, which is a brand new twist on the Western tale. Speaking of villains, we have Tucker the evil villain, who wants to take over the whole town and the Lion Kid comes in to save the day. He’s my favorite character in this film. He’s not only kind and courageous; he’s adorable. All characteristics of good lions of course. He’s also the character who tells the moral of this story, which is that you need to stand up to the villains and, of course bullies, and tell them that they can’t take over your town or your life. I actually love this character because of that.

I would have to say that one of the off things about this film is that when the characters talk, some of their mouths move a little weird and it seems dubbed. Other than that Dream Machine Animation, which created this film and James Snider, who directed it, did a terrific job.

I recommend this for ages 4 to 10, because of the lessons that we learn and the animation will captivate the audience. They will love the characters and the animation. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This movie comes out July 2, 2019. Be sure to look for it.

The Lion Kid
By Elle S., KIDS FIRST! Youth Reviewer, age 16

https://vimeo.com/325525720/bc14d96e03

This is very appealing, due to its excellent production and storyline.  Children will enjoy the animated animals talking and being expressive. There’s also a wild western location they will enjoy.

There are honest characters that I wanted to root for. The villainous characters entertain, but I still want them to be exposed. The content and language is suitable for its target age group. Some words might be a bit advanced for some kids, but are not at all inappropriate. The main villain, Mr. Tucker expresses hope for continued inequality and uncivil treatment. His comments are more thought-provoking than violent.

The storyline involves problem solving and is thought provoking. There are plenty of lessons to be learned that most will find relatable. I like the message that it doesn’t take experience to recognize and protest against unfair treatment.

The Lion Kid is one of my favorite new films. I found it funny, thought-provoking and courageous. Kidd Mane is sure to become a fan favorite, because he has the heart for any job. He stumbles upon a town called Tuckerville. Oddly enough, this town is without a sheriff. Kidd is nervous, but he accepts the job with honor.

There are important messages in this film about facing fears, being an honest and hard worker and standing up for equality. Kidd Mane (aka The Lion Kid) is awarded the chance to transform a shattered community. He has support from his fellow animals, especially deputy Tibbs. Manipulation and rumors threaten Kidd’s mission to transform this oppressed western town.

I recommend The Lion Kid for ages 8 to 12, as they would really appreciate the continuous learning and acts of courage throughout this film. Most will find the problems addressed easy to relate to. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. It will be released July 2, 2019 so look for it.

The Lion Kid
Reviewed by Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

This animated tale tells of a lion that comes to the town of Tuckerville to take on the job as the sheriff.  The town readily accepts Sheriff Mane as their new law enforcer. But some local politicians, such as Mr. Jeb Tucker, are envious of this young, new sheriff and he attempts to sabotage Mane’s good name with falsified orders. The setting is of the Old West with the narrow, wooden, two-story buildings, old-fashioned carriages and outfits reminiscent of that time period. The only thing disconnected from the Old West setting is the airborne (Argonaut) carriages.  In the end, Mr. Jeb Tucker’s feelings’ about Sheriff Mane come full-circle for very good reason.

The production quality of this film is excellent. The CGI visuals are of a Dreamworks’ animation quality. The sound quality is clear and suitable for most people, as is the soundtrack. The animated location of The Old West is pretty accurate for its time, as are the costumes. The dialogue is appropriate for its target audience. There is no overly complicated jargon.

Taking all that in consideration, this production could be a bit more sophisticated. The scenes are a bit long and drawn out at times. As an adult viewer, I wondered if a young child would notice that and lose interest in some scenes. The Lion Kid appears to be modeling a Dreamworks’ production such as Shrek, but its humor and overall liveliness isn’t quite on the same par, although it is still entertaining. I would love to see more wit to the characters’ repartee.  The plot is rather straightforward and suitable for a young audience.

Parents should know that there are a couple of places when a character calls the donkey bureaucrat a “jackass,” as a play-on-words. Unfortunately, this “blurs the line” in terms of mild profanity.

I recommend this for ages 7 to 12 and give it 3.5 out of 5 stars as I did enjoy the themes and animation of this film. It releases July 2, 2019 so, check it out.