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From start to finish, this film does homage to Rocky Balboa in a masterful execution. Adonis Johnson is the son of the famous boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died in a boxing match in Rocky IV (1985). Adonis wasn’t born until after his father’s death and wants to follow his fathers footsteps in boxing. He seeks a mentor who is the former heavyweight boxing champion and former friend of Apollo Creed, the retired Rocky Balboa. Rocky eventually agrees to mentor Adonis and the rest is history. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Harmony M. comments, “Creed is delightfully entertaining and beautifully developed…The film starts out amazingly entertaining and engaging within the first few minutes.” See her full review below.

Creed
By Harmony M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Creed is delightfully entertaining and beautifully developed. The film brings the iconic Rocky Balboa back to life after about 40 years. The film is about the son of famous boxer Apollo Creed whose path leads him to a passionate desire to box. Upon finding out that he actually had a father who is, in fact, Apollo Creed, he goes to the only person that can help train him to live up to his father’s name. That person is Rocky Balboa.

The film starts out amazingly entertaining and engaging within the first few minutes. The movie starts by showing us the kid’s moral background which is really refreshing considering that most movies overstretch the beginning and bore their audience with “when is the movie really going to start?” That alone really establishes the film’s great quality because it develops by showing, not telling and captures the audience immediately with the background information without needing a long introduction to describe it.

Spin-off movies are quite risky. The original film has already set expectations and often, spin-offs can ruin the original film for people. Director Ryan Coogler directs this spin-off of Rocky, leaving all the fans content with the continued legacy. Ryan Coogler beautifully creates a funny, emotional and inspiring film full of amazing qualities.

The acting by Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan is brilliant and natural, making me feel connected to their characters fairly quickly. The makeup department includes special effects makeup artist Leo Corey Castellano who creates amazingly realistic boxing wounds. It is so realistic that it is the first vivid visual that comes to my mind when I think about that film.
I am personally not a fan of sports movies but I definitely recommend this film to people of all interests because the story is so touching. The story and moral messages revolve around the idea that “your legacy is more than your name.” The movie demonstrates how hard work and determination to fulfill your passion can create exactly the legacy you so desire. You can be the legend you want to be.

I recommend this film for kids age 13 to 18. I do not recommend this for children under the age of 13 due to disturbing visuals, sexual actions and violent behavior. I give this film a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is in theaters now so, be sure to check it out.

Creed
By Tre’ana H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Creed is a film that sucks you right in, especially when you see a young child in the justice system. It makes you wonder why? Where is the parent? I like this film because Adonis Johnson, the protagonist (Michael B. Jordan) is self determined to fulfill his dream. I connected with him because I can relate to his desire to fulfill and accomplish a goal. The film is a blend of drama, thriller, sports and romance. The director, Ryan Coogler ties this film to Philadelphia which is known as the City of Brotherly Love and known as the home of the other Rocky Balboa movies. I like the how he draws in Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in this film and the relationship he develops with Adonis throughout all the twists and turns in the script. He creates a suspenseful filled film that leads up to the ending.

This film takes place in Philadelphia where former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson. He is the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed. His step-mother Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad) visits him in the juvenile detention center and offers him a prominent life to with a promising future. Does Adonis Johnson disappoint her? I can’t say any more. It is a must see and I promise that you will not be disappointed.

My favorite part of this film is when Rocky is writing down the notes for Adonis to improve his training. When he finishes the notes Adonis takes a picture of it on his phone and as he walks away, Rocky points out that he left the notes. He tells Rocky that he’s got it on his phone and Rocky asks, “What if your phone breaks?” Adonis says, “It’s saved in the cloud!” Rocky really thinks he means a real cloud in the sky and looks up. It is so hilarious because Adonis is, of course, talking about the cyber cloud. The whole entire audience laughs out loud.

The message of the film is stay determined to fulfill your dreams and don’t never give up.

I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 and give it 5 out of 5 stars because it is an excellent film to watch and you will definitely find it entertaining, especially those peo9ple from my hometown city of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.

This movie is in theaters now so, go check it out.

This romantic drama follows an Irish immigrant who lands in 1950s Brooklyn where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist in each. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mia A. comments, “Brooklyn is a romantic drama that I would watch again and again because of its heartfelt moments and the relationship between the characters. “ See her full review below.

Brooklyn
By Mia A, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Brooklyn, directed by John Crowley, is a romantic drama that I would watch again and again because of its heartfelt moments and the relationship between the characters.

Brooklyn is about a girl named Eilis who lives in Ireland with her sister and mother and is going to America to find a better opportunity for work.  It is hard for her when she first moves to America because she grieves over leaving her family and is terribly homesick.  She falls madly in love in New York. Eilis returns to Ireland for a family crisis and she puts herself in a very complicated situation, making her wonder if she ever wants to leave Ireland again.

The acting in Brooklyn makes it realistic and a pleasure to watch.  The cast members are chosen very well and they play their parts with a lot of character and emotion.  My favorite character is Eilis, played by Irish American actress Saoirse Ronan.  She is a perfect Eilis because she is so believable which helps build the audience’s love for the story.  

I really felt the love between Tony and Eilis.  Tony, played by Emory Cohen, is sweet, funny, and sweeps Eilis off her feet when she is vulnerable and needing comfort the most.  Tony’s Italian heritage both attracts her and stretches her as a character.

The settings, scenery and costumes are appropriate for the time period of the 1950s and really captures the essence of what it life would have been like in Ireland and Brooklyn at that time.  The costumes are very realistic and transport the viewer to a different time and place.

My favorite scene is when two of her boarding school friends teach Eilis how to eat spaghetti properly in preparation for dinner with Tony’s Italian family.  This scene got many people in the audience laughing.

The moral to this story is that “home is home.”  We also see that home is where the heart is. Eilis loves both Ireland and America, and a gentleman in both places.  Which man and which home will she ultimately choose?

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars for the beautiful romance and the amazing settings.  I recommend this for ages 13 to 18.  Parents should be aware that there is some bad language and there is a sex scene that they might not want their younger kids to watch.

If you are a romance lover or looking for a cinema vacation, aka “cinecation”, then Brooklyn is just right for you!  Check out this movie on November 4^th in theaters near you.

Five years ago, the world followed this tragic accident in an unknown small mining town in Chile where 33 miners were trapped 2000 feet below the surface. We have heard about this type of mining accident before but, what stood out here were the family members who never lost hope and set up camp near the mine to force the powers that be to pay attention and rescue their loved ones trapped below. We know how the story ends, how against all odds, after two months these miners emerged from their death trap. The miners were in the news again recently when they visited the Pope who celebrated the 5^th anniversary of their rescue. This film brings their story into perspective and makes you feel their pain. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Harmony M. comments, “Watching this film made me feel the pain of the miners, the anxiety of the families and the stress of the rescue team. I could personally feel the struggle from every side of the story.” Lainey A. adds, “This movie is so suspenseful because it connects the audience to the characters and I did not want to see any of them die.” See their full review below.
The 33

By Harmony M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

With its empowering story, visuals and acting, this film brings another true survival story to life. A group of thirty three gold miners go to work in the underlying mountains of Chile when their lives quickly turn upside down. Stranded by the collapse of the rocks, the men are forced to work together, struggle for food, stay optimistic despite their life threatening condition. With every second so crucial, the intensity of the film leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.

Watching this film made me feel the pain of the miners, the anxiety of the families and the stress of the rescue team. I could personally feel the struggle from every side of the story. This is an amazing aspect of the film, especially because it is based on a true story. What better way to gain awareness than to make individuals feel the experience for themselves. I felt like throwing up throughout the whole movie and that just shows how amazingly the filmmakers depicted this horrifyingly true story of the innocent men who were stranded and their struggle to survive.

The filmmakers have created a film that makes the audience feel as though they are experiencing the struggle rather than just watching it. I felt as if I was starving and becoming dehydrated just by watching. It’s what makes the movie feel so real.

The persuasive acting contributes to the empowering movie, especially Antonio Banderas whose performance as the leader, Mario was so believable. It’s a role completely different from what he usually plays and he made me believe he was a Chilean miner.

Usually films based on tragic events feel depressing but this film feels empowering and comedic in certain scenes. I enjoyed that.  

The film didn’t make the best impression at first but, it became very engaging and strong towards the end. I give a lot of credit to its great ending because, in my opinion, an ending can really make or break a movie.

I give the movie four out of five stars and recommend it for people between the ages of 13 and 18. Adults will enjoy it as well. Check this film out in theaters today.

The 33
By Lainey A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

This live-action feature film directed by the Patricia Riggen is truly inspirational and I love it!  The 33 is based on the true story of the 2010 Chilean San Jose mine collapse and the 33 miners trapped 2,300 feet below ground.  This movie is so suspenseful because it connects the audience to the characters and I did not want to see any of them die. 

This movie taught me that you should be hopeful and not think the worst even when it seems hopeless.  The miners kept up hope that they are going to be rescued even though they only have 14 cans of tuna to split between them for an unknown period of time.  This film also shows the importance of team-work because, without it, they would  all perish.

Antonio Banderas really steps out of his typical roles and his rendition of Mario Sepulveda is truly outstanding!  He really transforms into a Chilean miner and he is a true leader among the miners.  Another stand out actor is Rodrigo Santoro who plays Laurence Golborne, Minister of Mining for the Chilean President. He is caring, loving and compassionate and does an outstanding job making me believe that he really cares about these men trapped in the mine.  He does everything in his power to make sure that the miners stay alive and pulls together mining teams from across the world to drill into the ground in hopes of saving the miners.  Josh Brolin plays the role of Jeff Hart, one of the miners sent from the U.S.A. who eventually succeeds in drilling a hole large enough to send in a body cage for the miners.

The target audience for this film is anyone who enjoys adventure and suspenseful movies.  I recommend this movie for ages 10 to 18 because this isn’t gory or a violent movie, but it is suspenseful.  This movie is good for kids because it makes you learn what the lifestyle of a miner in Chile is like. Everyday, they face life or death situations such as this one.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it made me feel like I was there every step of the way.  As the miners said, “All we have is family.”  The love of family, teamwork and hope brought these 33 men back from the depths of despair.  You will be cheering from your seat! Come see this outstanding film when it opens nationwide on November 14! 

The message of this film is DO NOT let anything come in the way of you completing your mission. In the movie, there are a few who know they are not going to live to complete their mission. However, they did not let death stop them from completing it. They are able to set up a plan to have the mission completed by someone else so the job still gets done which also proves no one is an island and we all need help to accomplish our goals. 

My favorite scene is when James is protecting Madeline while she is sleeping and he is half awake. A rat appears in the dark. He takes out his gun and says to the rat, “Who are you and who sent you?” He does not realize that he is talking to a rat the whole time.

My favorite character is Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux) because she’s really cool. She is extremely smart, well trained and very quick.  She is the perfect wing woman!

I highly recommend this movie for boy’s ages 14 to 18 as well as girls who like action filled movies. I give this film 4.5 shinning stars. Spectre opens in theaters November 6, 2015.

Spectre
By Miles T, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

The new James Bond movie, Spectre, is an interesting and exciting film, but might be a bit too scary for most kids under thirteen. In fact, one of the scenes was so scary that I’m not even going to write about it! The movie begins with an amazing action scene where James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, gets a ring with a symbol on it from a bad guy. This ring and this symbol becomes the mystery that James Bond has to solve.

I have been told that the title sequel is typical of a James Bond movie, but other parts of the film may not be appropriate for kids under thirteen. The title sequence contained animation, partially naked women and octopus; it was pretty strange.

The main plot involves James Bond trying to track down a mysterious and deadly organization. He is trying to piece together what the organization is really up to. Discovering how all of the people and events are connected from his present and his past are vital in cracking the mystery. Like most James Bond movies, it takes place in many exotic locations and several languages are spoken. There are some subtitles in parts which add a special element as well.

The movie is action packed and full of fight and chase scenes. The special effects are very good but I got annoyed during the action-packed scenes. In almost every fight scene there were so many quick cuts that I couldn’t follow the action, everything was like a white blur.

I read that this is the second-most expensive movie ever made. Spectre has many special effects including lots of explosions, stunt doubles, special makeup and wires. Spectre ended up spending over 300 million dollars making this film. Unfortunately, there are many other movies that are just as good with only half as much of a budget.

Spectre is two and a half hours long and there were several times I thought the movie might end, but it kept going. The music is very suspenseful, which is one of the main reasons it is so scary. The sound effects are also very realistic, but they were almost too loud which amplifies how scary the movie is.

I rate this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars, mainly because it was so scary. I would recommend this for ages 13+ due to the amount of violence and the nudity in the title sequence. I think that adults would definitely like it more than kids.