KIDS FIRST! News

A Heffley family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course thanks to Greg’s newest scheme to get to a video gaming convention. This family cross-country adventure turns into an experience the Heffleys will never forget. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Alejandra G. comments, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul has the same wonderful entertaining impact as the rest of the series.” Ella L. adds, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is an upbeat, fun and humorous movie based on the books by the same name. It has an entertaining script with interesting relationships between characters. This movie also has moments where I burst out laughing.” Maria G. wraps it up with, “I really enjoyed the personality of each character in this film. Their different charisma contributes greatly to tone the film.” See their full reviews below (Alejandra’s are in English and Spanish). Also, check out our coverage from the Red Carpet by Ryan R.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
By Alejandra Garcia, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul has the same wonderful entertaining impact as the rest of the series. For those who don’t know, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a fiction comedy novel for children and teenagers written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. Over the years, these books have been brought to life in films that have the same well-liked effect on the audience as the original books. I was and still am a huge fan of the Wimpy Kid series and I recall always being excited for the new book or the new film to come out.

This film follows the Heffley’s taking a road trip to attend Meemaw’s (their grandmother’s) 90th birthday party. But of course, this trip goes off course thanks to Greg’s newest strategy to get to a video gaming convention. They flee from their parents, drive themselves to the convention, violate the no technology rule and many events take place that will make this not-so-family trip unforgettably crazy. Their family adventure turns into an experience filled with different funny moments you don’t get in a normal family vacation.

My favorite scene of is when they are entering the grandmother’s house. Greg gets into a boat that is outside and he goes inside the house with it. Somehow, he slides into the house and makes it to the pool, thereby making a special entrance. This is a very funny scene because it shows how Greg’s delirious mind operates.

The message that I get from this film is to never give up on what you want and don’t let anyone stop you. The film teaches this message in a funny and comical way. Gregory sees himself in a position that he doesn’t like due to something he does wrong so, he does what he can to clear his image. His way of doing it is to go to the video gaming convention and become famous. This is how Greg thinks he can fix this, by doing all these crazy things. But that’s not the important part. The point is that he goes out of his way to achieve his goal and he never stops until he gets it.

I rate this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 15. This opens in theaters on May 19th, 2017 so go check it out.

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
By Ella Ladd, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is an upbeat, fun and humorous movie based on the books by    the same name. It has an entertaining script with interesting relationships between characters. This movie also has moments where I burst out laughing. However, although it is delightful, this film falls flat in many areas.

The film follows twelve-year-old Greg Heffley (Jason Drucker), his brothers Rodrick (Charlie Wright) and Manny (Dylan Walters) and their parents (Tom Everett Scott and Alicia Silverstone). The family takes a road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90^th birthday in Indiana. However, Greg has plans to go to a video game convention that land him (and his family) in some hot water.

This film has many positive qualities. One i the clever writing. I really like the scene where Rodrick gets “shot,” when Greg and Beardo remake the scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Also, the scene where Manny and the pig are reunited is absolutely adorable. I applaud the writers for their brilliant writing. Another positive quality that quite impressed me is the story line. The chain of events had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. Mischief and misfortune seems to follow the Heffley family wherever they go! It is clear that the writing and the physical humor in this film are quite outstanding.

However, although the script is quite good, the direction is not. The shots don’t feel quite right all the time. For example, throughout the movie, the camera is often focused on Alicia Silverstone’s teeth. The scene transition is also choppy and disorganized. It just is not smooth. I feel as though there could be more music underneath the dialogue. The acting falls flat as well. I am quite disappointed by these aspects.

I rate this film 3 out of 5 stars. The excessive potty humor throughout the film may appeal to younger kids, so I recommend it for ages 7 to 13. This film is funny and entertaining, yet it lacks several essential components. It opens in theatres on May 19, so if you’re looking for some family-friendly fun, go check it out.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
By Maria Guerrero, KIDS FIRS! Film Critic, age 17

This family friendly film will have you laughing as you join the Heffley’s in their first summer road trip. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul  is a fun entertaining film that I highly enjoyed with its funny scenes, unique character personalities and the different adventures the Heffley’s take on.

As the Heffley’s embark on their summer road trip to rural Indiana for their grandmother’s 90^th birthday, young and witty Greg Heffley (Jason Drucker) will do whatever it takes to get to a video game convention and meet his favorite gamer. To everyone’s surprise, technology will be restricted on the trip since Greg’s mother, Susan (Alicia Silverstone) wishes to grow closer to her son and create unforgettable memories. Throughout the trip the whole Heffley family faces numerous adventures and trials as the trip goes hilariously off course and becomes a mission.

I really enjoyed the personality of each character in this film. Their different charisma contributes greatly to tone the film. My favorite character is Rodrick, the older but not so wise brother. His humor, style and spirit brings laughter to the screen. Although he is not the brightest, he is highly funny. One of my favorite scenes is when Rodrick orders an Uber and believes that the ride is free, although the destination is an hour away and it’s charged to his parents’ credit card. Also hysterical is the scene where Rodrick eats one too many fried butter sticks and regrets it later when riding the roller coasters.

Young and witty Greg Heffley is played by Jason Drucker of Barely Lethal, Every Witch Way and many commercials. Lead rock singer of Loaded Diper and Greg’s sixteen-year-old brother Rodrick is played by Charlie Wright, known for Ingrid Goes West and Better Things. Alicia Silverstone and Tom Everett Scott play the parents of Greg and Rodrick.

Although this film is hilariously funny, it is filled with several life lessons for the viewer to learn from such as, disconnect from technology and connect with those around you. Today, everyone seems to be so attached to technology and social media that they loose the concept of socializing. This film grasps the importance of family values and disconnecting from technology to spend quality family time.

I highly enjoyed watching this fun, summer movie and recommend it to families and children between the ages of 5 and 10. This is a great film for kids to watch over summer break and remember the value of family. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars because of its many funny scenes, unique story line and unique characters. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul opens in theaters May 29, 2017 so, be sure to check it out.

Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Clayton P. comments, “Set to “Awesome Mixtape #2”, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. #2  is more thrilling and hilarious than its predecessor.” See his full review below.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
By Clayton Pickard, KidsFirst! Critic, age 17

Set to “Awesome Mixtape #2”, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. #2  is more thrilling and hilarious than its predecessor. It is an action packed, sci-fi adventure about a group of intergalactic criminals who are tasked to work together to save the universe.

Chris Pratt again stars as Peter Quill, aka Star Lord. The rest of the cast follows suit – Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot and Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket.

The film starts out with the classic 70s song “Brandi” by Looking Glass as we see two young people driving down the highway, very much in love. We later learn that this is the back story of Peter’s conception and is foreshadowing the main storyline of the film. The movie jumps 34 years and Peter is now Star Lord, captain of a band of reformed outlaws. The group is hired to guard the uber batteries of the Sovereign planet. Upon leaving, Rocket steals some of the batteries and a space battle ensues. Star Lord and his crew are shot down and make an emergency landing on a nearby planet. Before landing,  they notice a mysterious spaceship, which takes out the entire Sovereign fleet pursuing them. The rest of the film is an emotional, action-packed adventure, having to do with this mysterious personage. There are lots of battles between different factions in this crazy sci-fi, fantasy universe.

The movie has lots of lively and entertaining scenes. My favorite is when Rocket Raccoon uses traps to his advantage to defeat an incoming horde of ravagers. Every scene with Drax is terrific because he has a different philosophy of life and has the most infectious laugh of any character in any movie, ever. I also love how Peter is obsessed with 80s pop culture.  He references them all the time, but his companions never understand them, because they didn’t grow up on Earth. I especially love how 80s music is used to evoke nostalgia from Peter’s childhood, making for a terrific oldies soundtrack.

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is phenomenal and full of whimsical jokes that don’t get old. It is a perfect family adventure that is suitable for ages 10 to 18. Parents and grandparents will even get a kick out of it. I rate this film 4 out of 5 stars for its engaging humor and captivating action. It opens in theaters on May 5 so, be sure to check it out.

Narrated by John Krasinski, Disneynature’s new true Life Adventure film Born In China takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film. A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden snub-nosed monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard-an elusive animal rarely caught on camera-faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain-from the frigid mountains. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Benjamin P. comments, “I love the visual splendor of this film and I am still in awe from some of the shots of the vast Chinese landscape.” Morgan B. adds, “Adorable, cuddly, fierce, cunning and hilarious animals all have one thing in common – they all put a tingle in my heart!” See their full reviews below.

Born in China
By Benjamin P, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Born in China is a beautifully shot documentary with fun narration, excellent cinematography and an inspiring story. I love the visual splendor of this film and I am still in awe from some of the shots of the vast Chinese landscape.

Narrated by John Krasinski (NBC’s The Office, Amazon’s Jack Ryan), Born in China chronicles the lives of three animals: Ya Ya, a giant panda who lives surrounded by bamboo and peace with her growing cub, the mischievous monkey Tao Tao who yearns for attention after the birth of his baby sister and later joins a group of outcasts, and the snow leopard Dawa struggling to protect her cubs from predators in harsh conditions. The film also follows the journey of a herd of chiru as they migrate to give birth to their young.

Born in China is one of the rare films that perfectly captures the magic and excitement of nature on screen. Not only does it have footage of some of the cutest animals on earth, but you really get to know some of the animals and their personalities. Also it has great shots of the stunning landscape of China that you’re not going to find in any other movie.

John Krasinski is very versatile in his role as narrator. He knows his young audience well and adds some fun dialogue to make it more appealing to them. His narration also goes very well with what is going on onscreen and is key in helping you understand the animals. One flaw is that the subplot with the chiru feels unneeded. Unlike other storylines, there is no main character to gravitate toward or follow. It feels like extra baggage that overcrowds the movie.

One of the best parts is that it demonstrates the animals showcasing basic values we see in society today. The lesson I took away is that the importance of family outweighs everything else, no matter what situation you’re in. Tao Tao goes to roam with The Lost Boys because he can’t find attention at home but later he learns that those who care for you will be there when you need them.

I recommend this film for ages 4 to 18. It’s pretty much suited for all ages, but some animal violence makes it a unsuitable for very young children. It also will be very much enjoyed by adults. I give Born in China 3.5 out of 5 stars.  It arrives in theaters just in time for Earth Day, April 22, 2017. Don’t forget to stay for the credits for a series of bloopers and outtakes.

Born In China
By Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

Adorable, cuddly, fierce, cunning and hilarious animals all have one thing in common – they all put a tingle in my heart! Director Lu Chuan put so much care into making this superb film. It is apparent how much he loves what he is doing and that adds to the charm of this film. I love how the movie made me feel when I watched it.

The red-winged crane carries us on a journey to different parts of China. Inspired by nature and adorable fun creatures that live there, we learn the Snow Leopard’s story told through Dwoa. Dwoa is a courageous and cunning Snow Leopard with two adorable baby cubs she is trying to protect. Finding food on the highest plateau on earth proves to be difficult. As much as I wanted to cuddle and pet her, I do not think she is the hugging type.

The adorable Giant Pandas’ story is told through Mei Mei and her mother Ya Ya, the stars of the show when it comes to humor. Mei Mei wants her independence and has big dreams and even bigger hopes of learning to climb trees. Her mom Ya Ya wants to do everything she can to keep her safe and keep her close forever. This is a thing that every child struggles with, including me. Fun fact: Giant Pandas eat more than 40 pounds of bamboo a day. That’s a lot of bamboo so, note to self, if you want a pet Panda you need to have a lot of money to buy bamboo plants.

The golden snub-nose monkeys’ story is told by my favorite character, Tao Tao who is only two years old. He is mischievous and feels like an outcast so, like Peter Pan, he joins a group of lost boys. Winter along the Yangtze River is harsh and we watch him shiver, covered with snow and ice. It made me want to grab a warm blanket to cover him.

There are many more animals that are incorporated in this 80 minute documentary that follows them for a year of their life, from spring to spring. I especially enjoyed the chiru which are a type of antelope. The red pandas are excellent tree climbers and perfect role models for all baby pandas who try to climb trees after watching them. John Krasinski (The Office) narrates this adorable documentary. His voice style and humor perfectly fit the film.

The circle of life is once again Disney’s of this nature documentary. I do not like movies that make me cry but Disney did it once again. I love this movie, especially the eye candy scenes of Mother Nature and her animals. The cinematography is stupendous as it captures close-ups of animals who are rarely seen in their natural habitats. You see every single hair and get to watch them forage for food, play, give birth and protect each other. The aerial views are stupendous and unique. I wondered what it would be like to be one of these animals. Is it fascinating seeing the things that they have to face every day of their lives.

I recommend this for ages 5 to 18. It is marvelous, but there are some moments that made me cry.  Animals need to eat and, when watching them hunt to eat, there are scenes that might freak out some kids. It is very informational, humorous and heartwarming. It reminded me that there is a big wide world out there ready to be explored. I give this film 5 out of 5 Mother Nature stars.  This film opens nationwide in theaters on April 21, 2017 just in time to celebrate Earth Day. Brought to you by Disneynature, when part of the box office proceeds will be donated to the World Wildlife Foundation to help giant pandas, snow leopards and many more animals.

Set during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, The Promise follows a love triangle between Michael, a brilliant medical student, the beautiful and sophisticated Ana, and Chris – a renowned American journalist based in Paris. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Samantha M. comments, “It is so exotic because it is based on the Ottoman Empire, which not every kid is entirely aware of. The school subject I dislike most is history, but after seeing this film, my mind is forever changed because I am fascinated about how much goes on in the world.” See her full review below.

The Promise
By Samantha M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17

I am definitely going to watch this film again. It is so exotic because it is based on the Ottoman Empire, which not every kid is entirely aware of. The school subject I dislike most is history, but after seeing this film, my mind is forever changed because I am fascinated about how much goes on in the world.

The Promise is set in the Ottoman Empire, in Armenia, the eastern part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Mikael Pogosian (Oscar Isaac) is a young, Armenian medical student who recently married in order to receive an endowment to pay for medical school. He leaves for Istanbul to further his studies. In the midst of his medical endeavors World War 1 breaks out and Armenia is deeply involved in it. When he travels to Istanbul, a mass Armenian genocide is initiated and he has to overcome these obstacles with Ana (Charlotte Le Bon), a woman he begins to fall in love with. Since her husband, Chris Myers (Christian Bale) is not too happy, a love triangle begins to form. Pogosian and Le Bon work together to keep everyone safe and try to leave Turkey and go to the United States.

Oscar Isaac (Mikael Pogosian), the protagonist, puts others first and acts solely on instinct, which is a great quality to possess. Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) has a kind heart and desires to save all of the Armenian children. Chris Myers (Christian Bale) is a reporter for the Armenian genocide and takes great pride in his work. The budget for this film must have been very large because there are hundreds of weapons utilized, many explosions and gunshots and many buildings destroyed. I love that the men ride on horses because horses are one of my favorite animals. It reminds me of history class because, in the past, soldiers rode on horseback.

My favorite part of the film when Ana is teaching Pogosian how to dance with her cousins and Pogosian’s cousin walks in. There is complete silence. Not many men dance, so it is entertaining to watch. The message of this film is to be informed about the past and to appreciate all that you have. Living in America, I feel fortunate to be safe and could not imagine what people in countries such as Armenia and Turkey have gone through.

I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars. Since there are many casualties and gory scenes, I recommend this film to children ages 16 to 18 and think adults will enjoy it too. This movie changes how I think. I learned so much from it. If you can watch intense scenes, then you should see it because it will change your life. This film opens in theaters on April 21, 2017. It is a movie that you truly do not want to miss.

Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon and Brian and Mia have retired from the game-and the rest of the crew has been exonerated-the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime he can’t seem to escape and a betrayal of those closest to him, they will face trials that will test them as never before. From the shores of Cuba and the streets of New York City to the icy plains off the arctic Barents Sea, the elite force will crisscross the globe to stop an anarchist from unleashing chaos on the world’s stage… and to bring home the man who made them a family. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Benjamin P. comments, “The Fate of the Furious is an enjoyable entry into the Fast and Furious franchise that brings exactly what fans want to see: ridiculous action sequences, fun characters and slick new cars.” Na’im S. adds, “I find the direction and acting to be quite good. Car and action movie fans will rejoice at the movie.” For their full reviews, see below.

The Fate of the Furious
By Benjamin P, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

The Fate of the Furious is an enjoyable entry into the Fast and Furious franchise that brings exactly what fans want to see: ridiculous action sequences, fun characters and slick new cars.

Directed by F. Gary Gray, The Fate of the Furious opens with Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) on their honeymoon in Cuba when his team is called to assist Luke Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) with a mission in Berlin. Dom ruins the mission by going rogue and leaving Hobbs injured on the side of the road. The team soon figures out that Dom is working with a cyber terrorist by the name of Cipher (Charlize Theron). To take down Dom and figure out why he has changed sides, they must enlist the help of old friends as well as new ones.

My favorite part of this film is the jailbreak scene where Hobbs has to stop an old enemy named Deckard (Jason Statham) from escaping prison and wreaking havoc. Seeing two action heroes fighting their way out of prison and preparing to duke it out is exhilarating and had me pumping my fists in the air with excitement. This scene is over-the-top and outrageous but I was having too much fun to care.

I am an outsider to this franchise, having never before seen a Fast and Furious film. I really enjoyed this movie. As this franchise has evolved, it has learned what the fans want to see. By not taking itself too seriously, the cheesy dialogue and slow-mo feel a little more fitting with its lighter tone. The way this film works is that it knows it’s absurd and has fun with it.

I don’t love the story because it tries to do too much, a common thing in blockbuster movies today. The opening sequence in Cuba is unnecessary. It barely has anything to do with the plot but it does establish the mood and tone. By upping the ante with ridiculous action from the very start, it prepares the audience for what’s to come. There are also a lot of characters to follow and sometimes the plot gets a little too ridiculous for comfort. But if you’re going to see this film, it’s not for a strong story.

Some performances in this film are very funny. Tyrese Gibson is hilarious as Roman. He has a lot of fun with this role and is very energetic. Dwayne Johnson is another standout who delivers an amusing performance. He maintains his action hero persona while also exercising his comedic chops.

The lesson of this film is that you should never turn your back on family. Even when Dom goes rogue, his team never gives up on him. I recommend this film for ages 14 to 18 for its mild language and violence.

I give The Fate of the Furious 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, The Fate of the Furious is a film that should be appealing for outsiders to this franchise as well as those who have been on this ride since the very beginning. This film opens in theaters on April 14th, so be sure to check it out.

The Fate of the Furious
Arjun N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

The Fate of the Furious is the eighth movie in the long running franchise, and it doesn’t disappoint. I find the direction and acting to be quite good. Car and action movie fans will rejoice at the movie.

The story is about Dom (Vin Diesel), who is enjoying himself with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in Cuba. However, Dom encounters Cipher (Charlize Theron), an infamous hacker. Cipher presents Dom with an offer to betray his team and Dom agrees. The reason for his betrayal is unknown and he frames one of the members of his team, Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), for the theft of an EMP. Hobbs is broken out of prison to catch Dom under the condition that he works with an enemy, Deckard (Jason Statham). The team, under the lead of Hobbs works together to stop Dom and Cipher.

Vin Diesel, as Dom, is believable in his betrayal and his eagerness to follow Cipher. Michelle Rodriguez, as Letty, presents her love for Dom and her concern for why he is down his dark path in a very convincing way. Charlize Theron, as Cipher, brings thrills and espionage to the film with her coerciveness. Dwayne Johnson, as Hobbs, performs his role well with his macho man physique, despite his corny one-liners. Jason Statham, as Deckard, stands out as my favorite character because of how he banters with Hobbs and how well he fits his action hero role.

From Cuba, to New York, to Russia, the direction of F. Gary Gray is fast paced and packed with action scenes. He handles the character moments well, too. The twist on why Dom betrays his team is an example. My favorite scene is the prison fight with Hobbs and Deckard because the actors are fun to watch and the music choice fits the scene well. My only problem with the movie is that the comedy doesn’t land many times and for me is cringe worthy and cheesy.

The movie’s message is to always trust in your family. The team could easily turn on Dom, but they always try to help him out. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18 due to its intense action and language. This film opens in theaters on April 14th, so check it out if you want a fast ride.