KIDS FIRST! News

This sequel to Adam Sandler’s successful Hotel Transylvania picks up with Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel. Starring the voice talent of Sandler, Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez, it opens September 25. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Lainey A. (age 13) comments, “This animated movie directed by Genndy Tartakosky is truly hilarious and left the audience and me laughing out loud. If you didn’t enjoy the original Hotel Transylvania very much, give this sequel another try because I truly believe this movie is much better than the original. “ Mia A. (age 11) adds, “I enjoyed Hotel Transylvania 2 better than the original movie because the writing is funnier and the plot more intriguing. “ See their full reviews below.

Hotel Transylvania 2
By Lainey A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

This animated movie directed by Genndy Tartakosky is truly hilarious and left the audience and me laughing out loud. If you didn’t enjoy the original Hotel Transylvania very much, give this sequel another try because I truly believe this movie is much better than the original.

By far my favorite character is Dracula (Adam Sandler), because he is such a special character. He is so loving, forgiving and maybe just a little crazy sometimes. This movie makes me want to have a grandfather like him because he is so powerful and loving. A continuous joke is Dracula trying to get used to his cell phone. His fingernails are too long to type with so he is always frustrated with this new technology.

The relationship between Dracula and his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez) is so beautiful and memorable. With very exciting news, Mavis is pregnant! It’s a boy! The strong bond between baby Dennis and his “Vampa” (vampire grandpa) Dracula, is my absolute favorite relationship through this whole movie because their love is so strong even though it is hard for Dracula to accept that his grandson is half human. Dracula is concerned that his grandson hasn’t indicated that he is going to be a vampire, so he takes five of his hotel friends to try to scare the fangs out of Dennis. They go on this ridiculous adventure to do whatever it takes to get Dennis’s fangs showing. Will Dennis be more like his mother who is a vampire, or stay a human like his father?

Adam Sandler puts his own spin on this movie. As co-writer of the screenplay, his goofy short songs pop up throughout the movie. Not only are the song lyrics funny, but they are also relatable and entertaining for the audience because he takes commonly known songs such as twinkle twinkle and alters the words to be slightly inappropriate and silly.

The special effects are outstanding and I enjoyed all of the different things they do with the animation. I watched this film in 3D and loved how it makes the characters and settings pop and makes each setting special. In the scene where Dracula leads Dennis and some other monster guests on a crazy adventure, there are so many special effects that it becomes total chaos.

The message of this film is that no matter how different someone else is, they could be the best thing that ever happens to you, so love them no matter how different they are. This film really makes me realize how crucial to accept others.

The character Blobby, a gelatinous blob, is definitely a crowd pleaser and the younger audiences laughed out loud at his silly antics. The target audience for Hotel Transylvania 2 is anyone who wants to laugh and have a good time. I recommend this movie for ages 5 to 18 because some of the scenes might be a little scary for some young children. I recommend seeing this movie in 3D as well because it is a very cool experience and give it 5 out of 5 stars because this movie is truly hilarious.

Hotel Transylvania 2

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

Hotel Transylvania 2, directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, is super entertaining! This animated movie is definitely a comedy filled with many funny lines and actions.

This movie is about Mavis (Selena Gomez) and her husband Jonathan (Andy Samberg). Mavis is pregnant and has a baby boy. Will Mavis’s baby boy fulfill the expectation of being a vampire or will he be just a simple human?

I love the animation and watching it in 3D really helps everything pop and come to life. I watched the behind the scene video clips and realized how much hard work went into making this movie, including the detailed animation and the voice-overs for the characters. There are so many details in this film from designing every tree, sign and rock to creating a certain mood.

I enjoyed Hotel Transylvania 2 better than the original movie because the writing is funnier and the plot more intriguing. After seeing the sequel it made me realize how much more I cared about the characters in Hotel Transylvania 2 than I did in the original. If you were disappointed in the original, give number 2 a chance because it might just change your mind.

The moral of this story is that people you care about are going to grow up and you have to eventually let them go. This is a very good moral that can teach many people.

Adam Sandler is amazing in his roll as the voice of Dracula. While all the voice actors are good, Adam Sandler is particularly funny. My favorite line of Dracula’s says is his response to Dennis when he says, “Blah blah blah.” Dracula replies, “I do not say ‘blah blah blah!'” in a funny voice. My favorite character in this movie is Wayne The Werewolf because he is so funny. My favorite line said by Wayne is,” We don’t need to hunt anymore; we have pop tarts!”

I rate this movie 5 out of 5 vampires because all of the comedy, animation and great performances by the voice actors. I recommend it for ages 5 to 18 because there are some parts in the film that could be scary to younger kids. This movie is a very funny film with amazing animation, so make sure to see Hotel Transylvania 2 in theatres September 25.

This second film in the Maze Runner series follows on the heels of the first film, barely skipping a beat with non-stop action. The film is incredibly intense so be prepared to be jostled. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Brianna B. comments, “The plot has many unexpected twists and turns that I greatly enjoy. It has tons of believable action and the anticipation keeps growing and growing.” Lainey A., adds, “As an avid science fiction fan, I couldn’t wait to watch this sequel.  The special effects are phenomenal makes me wonder how they make each setting so realistic.  If you love non-stop action, Maze Runners: The Scorch Trials is a very intense film that will not disappoint you.” See their full reviews below.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The second installment of the adaptation Maze Runner is a very exiting film. The plot has many unexpected twists and turns that I greatly enjoy. It has tons of believable action and the anticipation keeps growing and growing.

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers are finally out of the Maze and in, what they think is a place that keeps kids from WCKD, a corporation that put them in the maze in the first place. They are put there for experimental reasons. After, unfortunately finding out that the ones that saved them are really WCKD themselves, the Gladers run for their lives and their freedom while trying to find the resistance fighters.

The main reason I really like this film is due to the excitement and unpredictable plot line. While watching this film I always find myself wondering what will happen next and sitting at the edge of my seat. The visuals are very clear, elaborate, and actually draw you into the film. The characters have great personalities that are distinct and completely different from one another, which add to the overall success of the film. My favorite character is Minho (Ki Hong Lee), because in many of the scenes he is the character that has so much courage and, instead of running he deals with the problem at hand. Because of his bravery many lives are saved throughout the film. My favorite scene is at the very beginning scene, because of the simple fact that it is an almost seamless continuation for the Maze Runner. I always like it when the same scene for the end of one film is the beginning of the sequel.  Just as a side note I will say, in order to really understand and appreciate this film, you should watch Maze Runner, before watching this sequel.

A message that I found early on in this film is that sometimes it’s better to follow your instinctual gut than other people. You just don’t always know who and what to trust.

I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 and for anyone who loves the initial installment of the Maze Runner. Families and friends will definitely enjoy it together. I give it 4 out of 5 stars for its excitement, visuals and great plotline.

This live action feature film directed by Wes Ball is an epic movie that takes you through a truly exhilarating adventure.  As an avid science fiction fan, I couldn’t wait to watch this sequel.  The special effects are phenomenal makes me wonder how they make each setting so realistic.  If you love non-stop action, Maze Runners: The Scorch Trials is a very intense film that will not disappoint you.

While the plot is enjoyable, I do recommended that you want to watch the first movie, The Maze Runner, before watching this sequel. The storyline is quite complex and might be confusing to follow if you’re unfamiliar with the original film or book.  In this film, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and the Gladers try to escape the organization WCKD whose main purpose is to find a cure for “the Flare,” a plague that turns people into zombie-like creature known as Cranks.  The Gladers have to face new and unbelievable obstacles that come their way in order to survive in the Scorch, a desolate wasteland that is uninhabitable by humans.

My favorite scene is full of amazing special effects!  Brenda (Rosa Salazar) and Thomas try to escape a “crazy” Crank infestation through a dilapidated city-scape. Having just met, they need to rely on each other for their own survival and that’s what makes this scene really special.

My favorite actor in The Scorch Trials is Dylan O’Brien because his character, Thomas, is very believable in this role.  O’Brien is surrounded by a strong supporting cast of Gladers.  Theresa (Kaya Scodelario), Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) really portray their parts well and it seems like they all actually care about each other.

The Gladers make sacrifices and come together as a family to insure each other’s survival.  The message is that people are at their strongest when working together.

The target audience for this movie is any teen that enjoys fast action, science fiction thrillers.  While the movie only lasts two hours, it feels like longer because there are few breaks in the action.  The ending of the movie is a total cliffhanger, leaving me on the edge of my seat and sets the audience up for the third sequel, The Death Cure.  I recommend this movie for ages 13 to 18 due to its intensity.  I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars because it is well put together and the special effects can’t be beat.

This movie opens in theaters September 18 so don’t miss it.

In this gripping true story set during the height of the Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire) finds himself caught between two superpowers when he challenges the Soviet Empire. Pawn Sacrifice chronicles Fischer’s terrifying struggles with genius and madness, and the rise and fall of a kid from Brooklyn who captured the imagination of the world. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Willie J. comments, “Tobey Maguire gives the performance of his career. His nuanced, detailed and invested performance as Bobby Fischer provides most of this movie’s appeal.” Will S. adds, “The story in Pawn Sacrifice is exciting, interweaving Fischer’s personal struggles with paranoia and the incredible tension of the Cold War.” See their full reviews below.

Pawn Sacrifice
By Willie Jones, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

I had no expectations going into the film. Biopics are really a 50/50 sort of deal, especially today. Biopics have been recycling the same plots for years now, so the only thing that can separate them are the performances and style of the director. Pawn Sacrifice is different from other biopics for those very reasons.

Tobey Maguire gives the performance of his career. His nuanced, detailed and invested performance as Bobby Fischer provides most of this movie’s appeal. He never loses his intensity in the movie and is motivated with every decision he makes as an actor, so his character’s decisions seem just as assured and focused. Audiences are naturally drawn to that.

Maguire is supported by Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard, and Michael Stuhlbarg. They all give fantastic performances, but they’re all layered. That’s my favorite thing about them. They aren’t one dimension and they don’t fall by the waste side as many supporting characters in biopics do. They’ve got their own passions and motivations and side effects to the plot and all that good stuff.

Secondly, and most importantly, the number one thing that keeps us invested is the story. Since I’ve seen the movie, I still can’t quite put my finger on why it is as addicting as it is. I have gone over it in my head continually and as I piece the themes together I finally get a common theme: obsession. The characters in this movie are relentless in their journey. But that’s not enough. There are plenty of bad movies with motivated characters. So I asked myself about the style of the movie. It features some nice editing but it isn’t anything special.

Finally, I went to the main focus of the movie: chess. That’s what keeps us involved. It’s the fact that, probably for the first time in our lives, most of us are witnessing chess taken so seriously. In this movie, we see chess as more than a board game. In this Cold War set movie, chess represents America vs. the Soviets. It represents escape and fulfillment. Those kinds of stakes for a game we often pass over takes us by surprise and we can’t help but get drawn in.

Actually, as I walked out of the theater, I heard someone comment, “This movie made me want to play chess.” It didn’t have the same effect on me, but I can see how it might  have.

With that said, the movie does get off to a rocky start, including a sequence when they show Bobby at age 12, which is pretty bad. I understand that Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick is a young actor, but he wasn’t very good. It was very one note and not believable. It actually seems out of place among the rest of the movie. I mean, it doesn’t help that the dialogue is really bad for that portion and doesn’t get the film off to a great start. But when it picks up a head of steam, it keeps you on the ride.

I give this movie 4 1/2 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 10 to 18. It opens nationwide on September 16 so check it out.

Pawn Sacrifice
By Will S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The story in Pawn Sacrifice is exciting, interweaving Fischer’s personal struggles with paranoia and the incredible tension of the Cold War. Pawn Sacrifice stars Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber and Peter Sarsgaard. Directed by Edward Zwick, it follows the story of Bobby Fischer who is trying to become the best chess player in the world during the tense Cold War period of the sixties and seventies. He goes up against thousands of opponents and beats them all in order to play the best player of his time, the Soviet Boris Spassky, at the 1972 World Chess Championships in Reykjavik, Iceland.

The cast in Pawn Sacrifice portray their characters exceptionally well, especially Liev Schreiber as Boris Spassky. Though I didn’t want to root for the Russian, I felt much more sympathetic to his character than Bobby Fisher’s.  Tobey Maguire is convincing as Bobby Fischer, but Fischer’s personality is so paranoid, irritating and selfish and he treats others, including those who love him, so badly, that he is unlikable and hard to root for.

Though I root for the U.S. to win, Fischer’s personality leaves me torn.  As the movie progresses, I start to like Boris Spassky more and more.  Liev Schreiber makes Spassky a sympathetic character.  Spassky is calm and even understanding of the mental-emotional struggles Fischer is going through.  Bobby’s friends are also enjoyable characters and are always there to help him through the tough games.

Since the Cold War never escalates into full-blown military battles, cultural competitions between the Americans and Soviets, such as the race to the moon, this chess match, and the miracle on ice, are high-profile confrontations. With that background, the plot keeps you intrigued all the way through and puts you back in that tense, scary time period by interspersing old news footage throughout the film. On a personal level, the portrayal of Fischer’s deteriorating mental state is realistic, but sad.  Even though he completes the historic match, his personal demons get the best of him in the end.

If you watched, listened to, or read about this chess match live in 1972, I think you will love this movie.  If you didn’t see the match, you will still be gripped by the history and the passion of all the characters involved.  I would give Pawn Sacrifice a four out of five stars and recommend it to ages 14 to 18.

There are many mixed reviews on this film which opened this weekend. Many people were disappointed that Jason Statham was replaced by nzewcomer Ed Skrein. The story follows a former special-ops mercenary, Frank Martin, now living a less perilous life – or so he thinks – transporting classified packages for questionable people. When Frank’s father (Ray Stevenson) pays him a visit in the south of France, their father-son bonding weekend takes a turn for the worse when Frank is engaged by a cunning femme-fatale, Anna (Loan Chabanol), and her three seductive sidekicks to orchestrate the bank heist of the century. Our reviewers also had mixed reactions. Tre’ana H., age 11 comments, “The Transporter Refueled is an action-packed, thriller and crime film. The director Camille Delamarre delivers this spine-chiller in a way that keeps you in suspense the whole time.” Willie J, age 16 adds, “I think this movie is very average. As a person who knows films and has seen plenty of action films, this movie offers nothing special.” See their full reviews below.

The Transporter Refueled
By Tre’ana H., age 11, 2015 KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

The Transporter Refueled is an action-packed, thriller and crime film. The director Camille Delamarre delivers this spine-chiller in a way that keeps you in suspense the whole time. Their fashion is sleek and sophisticated.

This film takes place in the south of France where Frank Martin (Ed Skrein) enters into a world full of trouble. His father Frank Senior (Ray Stevenson) goes to visit his son for a weekend without knowing what he will encounter. Frank is the Uber person that transports you wherever you want to go without any questions being asked. He stumbles upon trouble when he is engaged by a cunning sinister women Anna (Loan Chabanol) and her three seductive sidekicks to orchestrate the bank heist of the century. He must use his courageous skills with his super fast Audi and slick women to outrun a Russian kingpin. But, it is not over because the women want revenge. This is the beginning. That’s all I can reveal.

My favorite part is when Frank Martin and Anna and her three side chicks are leaving the club after they terrorized the patrons. Frank gets into an altercation outside and puts all the women in the car and tells them not to touch anything. While he is fighting, the car rolls down the ramp by itself. It is awesome! I really enjoyed that part.

The message of the film is to love your children dearly, no matter how hard it gets and don’t ever give up on them for money.

I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 and give it 3 out of 5 stars because it did not really keep my interest. Also, I feel this is inappropriate film for children under the age of 13 but people older will appreciate it.

This movie is in theaters now so, if you’re over the age of 13, check it out.

The Transporters Refueled
by Willie J, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 16

have to start this review off by saying that I have not seen the previous three previous Transporter films. I am reviewing this film as it stands on its own and not as the fourth sequel in the franchise so take my criticism with that in mind, for better or for worse.

With that said, I think this movie is very average. As a person who knows films and has seen plenty of action films, this movie offers nothing special. It has some nice moments, but there are plenty of mistakes that could have, and should have been, been avoided. What I do know from the series is that Jason Statham is replaced in this film so it is like a re-birth for a new era. If that is the case then, it’s not off to a great start. But, it’s not off to bad one either.
The best parts of the film are the action sequences. They are things of beauty, filled with excitement, vivacity and cool effects. There are good performances for a film of this kind, especially from Ray Stevenson. There’s even a nice twist towards the end.

But, there is an awful romantic subplot, with inconsistent characterization.  The fact is that this action movie is no different than any other action movie as you’ll see. It’s entertaining, yet forgettable.

For fans of the series, I’m sorry I can’t help you more. I liked it for the most part and I’m not a fan. So perhaps that means you’ll like it even more than me. I hope so.

I give it 2 1/2 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 15 to 18. Some of the content pushes its rating. Some of which had me question what the original cut looked like. This film is in theaters now.

Entertainment News for Kids:

• About Us
  • Mission
  • Our Programs
  • KIDS FIRST!
  • Staff & Board
  • Meet Youth Reporters
  • CQCM Members
• Film Reviews
  • Search Reviews
  • Browse Reviews
  • Online Videos
  • Become a Juror
  • Submit a Title
  • Endorsement Description
  • Streamlined Reviews
• Film Festival
  • Find a Festival
  • Film Festival Selections
  • At a Theater Near You
  • Host a Festival
  • Submit a Title
  • Current Press
  • Festival Sponsors
  • Festival Home
• Film Critics
  • Media Literacy
  • Join our Jury
  • Search Reviews
• Blogs, News & Info
  • Current Newsletter
  • Press Room
  • Articles
  • Ranny's Coming Attractions
  • KIDS FIRST! News
  • KIDS FIRST! Podcast
  • From the Jury Blog
• Members/Sponsors
  • Become a member
  • Our Members
  • Our Sponsors
  • Join As Juror
  • Submit a Title
• Contact Us
• Social Media
  • Follow Us on Twitter
  • KIDS FIRST! on YouTube
  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Join Us on Tik Tok
  • Join Us on FaceBook
  • KIDS FIRST! Radio Show
  • KIDS FIRST! on Linked In
• Home