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Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling. The Wild Robot is a 2024 American animated science fiction survival film based on the book series of the same name by Peter Brown, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film was written and directed by Chris Sanders, produced by Jeff Hermann, and executive-produced by Sanders’ longtime collaborative partner Dean DeBlois. It stars Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, the title character, alongside an ensemble voice cast including Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Emma O. comments, “The Wild Robot delivers family-friendly entertainment through a robot stranded on an island that makes us experience the journey of connection, acceptance, and belonging.  This animated film is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud fun.” Carter P. adds, “This movie is amazing. I really love that it explores the importance of self-discovery, the bridge between technology and nature and the question of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.  The film has the most beautiful animation I have ever seen.” Avani M. adds, “This movie has so many wonderful themes in it. One is that you should be more than what you are programmed to be, whether that is by trying new things or taking a risk.” Selene W. wraps it up with, “The beloved award-winning children’s book, The Wild Robot, comes to life in a visually stunning feature film.  The Wild Robot movie highlights what it really means to be alive and connected to others in a family and in a greater community.” See their full reviews below.

The Wild Robot
Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Wild Robot delivers family-friendly entertainment through a robot stranded on an island that makes us experience the journey of connection, acceptance, and belonging.  This animated film is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud fun.

When a shipping container is lost at sea during a typhoon, Roz the Robot (Lupita Nyong’o), emerges as the sole survivor on an island with nothing but wildlife.  Programmed to complete a task, she has to learn to understand and interact with the animals there and she struggles with connecting and acceptance.

(from left) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

Her journey takes a turn when she assists an orphaned goose, Brightbill, (Kit Connor) and gets help from a fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal).  Every new and confusing experience shifts Roz’s programming as she experiences things she was never programmed to imagine and finds a new way to live.

I enjoyed the humor of this film from DreamWorks Animation. The writing is great. The absurd, yet accurately dark humor, parental comments from Pinktail, a mother opossum, (Catherine O’Hara) are so relatable.  Her shocking statements make her character so enjoyable.

The animators illustrate the emotional reactions of island animals to perfection. Roz’s help initially causes more chaos than assistance.  When Roz sees a beaver building a damn, rather than help build it, her programming tells her it’s an obstacle and she destroys it.  The beaver’s response is priceless.  The confusion and disbelief when Roz provides a sticker communicating that the task is complete is hysterical.

(from back center) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

These moments contribute to the humor and build on the character development of The Wild Robot as we watch her struggle to connect with the animals on the island.  Her adventures with Fink and Brightbill create bonding moments and we see how belonging, acceptance and connection can be influenced by kindness.

The Wild Robot provides an uplifting message of how belonging and acceptance come from one’s heart.  It successfully shows how kindness and caring are valued by all.

Parents and viewers should be aware there are flashing and strobe lighting effects, loud noises and dark humor, which may be unsuitable for some viewers.

I give The Wild Robot 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The Wild Robot releases in theaters on September 27, 2024.

The Wild Robot
By Carter P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 13

I love The Wild Robot.  It is beautifully animated, heartwarming and has powerful messages about stepping out of your comfort zone, being brave, kind, and showing compassion for others.

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot.  The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot named Roz, that is shipwrecked on an island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.

Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) in DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

This movie is amazing. I really love that it explores the importance of self discovery, the bridge between technology and nature and the question of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.  The film has the most beautiful animation I have ever seen.  The colors of the island and forest look so realistic and I like the way the animals talk. I appreciate the scene when Roz is teaching the orphaned gosling how to fly.  The music goes so well with this particular scene and clearly emphasizes the idea of learning how to soar on your own and doing things you did not think were possible.

The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong’o as Roz the robot. It’s remarkable how she is able to change her voice to sound like a robot, but with feeling and so much emotion.

Pedro Pascal voices Fink the fox  and he is devious and incredibly loving.  Catherine O’ Hara voices an opossum, Pinktail and she mothers with a sense of humor.  Kit Connor voices BrightBill, the gosling who is adorable and so funny.

The Wild Robot is full of comedy, heart, bravery and incredible animation.  It is a heartwarming movie with powerful messages about trying new things, showing compassion for others and how a mother’s love is unconditional.

I give The Wild Robot 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  This film has something for everyone. It made me leave the theater with a smile on my face and wanting to see it again immediately.  You can watch The Wild Robot in theaters September 27, 2024.

The Wild Robot
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The beloved award-winning children’s book, The Wild Robot, comes to life in a visually stunning feature film.  The Wild Robot movie highlights what it really means to be alive and connected to others in a family and in a greater community. This animated drama is sure to become a classic in the family genre and appeals to young and old alike.

The Wild Robot is an animated drama that tells the tale of Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot who finds itself stranded on a remote island inhabited only by animals as Roz searches to find a purpose.

(from left) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

Roz is programmed to find a task, and without humans to direct it, activates “learning mode” so the animals or organisms in that environment can be understood. Along the journey of self-discovery, Roz becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling (Kit Connor). In accepting the task to take care of the gosling “unit,” Brightbill, Roz connects with both predators and prey in the island eco-system and, in turn, finds the home where she belongs.  Even though Roz doesn’t have the programming to be a mother, she learns that there is no manual or predetermined path to nurture another life.

DreamWorks Animation has done it again, adapting a wonderful book to the big screen. There are many fun and delightful characters which bring to life the humorous situations that develop in this story.  I really enjoyed the interaction between Roz and her new fox friend, Fink (Pedro Pascal).

(from left) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

The cleverness in their developing relationship is shown by both Lupita and Pedro, along with other talented cast members including opossum Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara), goose Longneck (Bill Nighy) and my favorite, the curmudgeon beaver Paddler (Matt Berry).  My favorite scenes and ensemble cast interaction is when Roz teaches Brightbill how to fly and when the diverse animals work together on the island.  The voice contributions of the entire cast match the quality of the animation in this production and that is praise indeed. The Wild Robot is written and directed by Chris Sanders and he really builds the emotion and characters as he masterfully creates this memorable film.  The film’s production is really beautiful – I would be remiss if I did not mention the Art Direction by Ritchie Sacilioc as well as everyone who contributed to the art, sound, music, animation and visual effects in this movie.

The film’s message is that kindness is a survival skill; and isn’t that a timely message.  Roz becomes more than what she was programmed to be; after all she was not meant to ever feel anything. The Wild Robot is an interesting exploration about the adaptation of technology in the natural world and how life evolves through adaptation.  Roz discovers love and a sense of community which helps Roz truly find her way home.

I give The Wild Robot 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18 and, of course, adults will enjoy the message and storyline as well.  It is available in theaters September 27, 2024, so don’t miss this heart-warming tale!

The Wild Robot
By Avani M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

The Wild Robot is an awesome and touching movie that has many important messages. I love that it has many heartwarming moments that contrast all the happy and funny parts.

Roz, the wild robot (Lupita Nyong’o) finds herself washed ashore on a beach near a forest. She is kind to all the forest animals even when they dislike and hurt her. Once, when she is being chased, she finds a little egg which hatches into a gosling and assumes she is his mother. Roz names him Brightbill (Kit Connor) and takes care of him with the help of Fink (Pedro Pascal), a sneaky little fox who had tried to steal the egg. She teaches BrightBill how to eat, swim and fly in time for his winter migration. Just as Brightbill returns for the spring, Roz’s organization who made her come to take her back. All the animals help her fight against the organization to keep her in the forest.

The Wild Robot is such a marvelous movie with a profound storyline. All of the actors present so many different emotions. One actor that is especially great at portraying those feelings is Lupita Nyong’o as Roz. Her voice acting as a robot is remarkable and she made me feel like I was in Roz’s situation. She manages to show her complexities even as a robot, both in voice and in her animation expressions. Pedro Pascal is amazing at voicing Fink. He plays a tough character, but on the inside, he is dealing with sadness and loneliness. Kit Connor is especially funny as Brightbill. He voices him as a funny gosling who doesn’t know how to be like a regular gosling and speaks like a robot. Roz, Fink and Brightbill all become a family and this movie teaches us that a family unit doesn’t have to be made up of only those we are related to. With Roz and Fink supporting him, Brightbill is prepared for his life. The CGI and music are phenomenal – the CGI is beautiful and realistic while the music compliments what is happening in the film.

(from left) Fink (Pedro Pascal), Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

DreamWorks Animation has done it again, adapting a wonderful book to the big screen. There are many fun and delightful characters which bring to life the humorous situations that develop in this story.  I really enjoyed the interaction between Roz and her new fox friend, Fink (Pedro Pascal). This movie has so many wonderful themes in it. One is that you should be more than what you are programmed to be, whether that is by trying new things or taking a risk. Roz has to take on the challenge of being a mother, which she is not programmed for, yet she still does it, even though she does not know how. Another major theme is that everyone has their own talent and we should put our differences aside so that we can solve problems in our community. We also learn to never give up from Brightbill’s example; the other geese say that he is too small to fly, but he proves them wrong by training day after day.

I give The Wild Robot 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on September 27, 2024.

Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rayce S. comments, “Going into this film I was excited but had low expectations because of the complex history of Transformers media. Transformers films in the past have often deviated from the original story that I love, however this film is unlike all the others, rooted in the origins of the Cybertron universe. I left the theater speechless at how excellent the film was.” Carter P. adds, “Gear up and roll out!  I love Transformers One.  It is fun, laugh-out-loud funny, has some heartfelt moments, and the chemistry between the transformers is outstanding.  The film definitely kept me entertained from beginning to end.  There is lots of action, incredible animation and the battle scenes are so cool.” See their full reviews below.

Transformers One
By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Evan Michael Lee (Jazz), Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO’s  “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

Transformers One is a must watch film with a compelling story, beautiful animation and a great overall theme.

The film is about the untold origin of Optimus Prime and Megatron. We now know that the now sworn enemies were once like brothers and their differences would create strife in their relationship. This change will forever impact Cybertron.

Going into this film I was excited but had low expectations because of the complex history of Transformers media.

Jon Hamm (Sentinel Prime) stars in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO’s “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

Transformers films in the past have often deviated from the original story that I love, however this film is unlike all the others, rooted in the origins of the Cybertron universe. I left the theater speechless at how excellent the film was.

It has numerous perfectly executed moments with well paced moments. The movie introduces the lore of Transformers to new audiences rather quickly while keeping it simple, which helps someone understand everything if they are new to Transformers, while keeping long-time fans like myself happy.

The animation style is just breathtaking, I thought it would take me a while to get used to the new style but I was blown away at how colorful a planet made of metal looks.

L-r, Jon Bailey (Soundwave), Steve Buscemi (Starscream) and Jason Konopisos (Shockwave) star in
PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO’s “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

Of all the standout elements, the best part of this film is the third act, because the whole film builds up to it effortlessly, and by the time the second act ended and the third act started to kick in I was glued to my seat with my eyes locked on to the screen, excited at every moment. It had me smiling the whole way through.

The hardest part for me were the voice overs, which might be a concern for long-time fans who are used to Peter Collin voicing Optimus Prime. It was a challenge for me to get to hear Chris Hemsworth’s performance as Optimus Prime. While he doesn’t sound like the voice we are used to, his interpretation adds a unique flare to the younger version of the character.

For those of us who are concerned about the voice of Megatron by Brian Tyree Henry, there is nothing to be worried about – he kills it! I was blown away by how well he adds a new tone of voice to the character while keeping it classic.

The Guards in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO Present In Association with NEW REPUBLIC PICTURES A di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY Production
A BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

All in all, it’s phenomenal casting and an amazing performance by Henry, especially in the third act. These are a few minor concerns I had. The writers, directors, and animation team knew what was best for the Transformers franchise because this film is possibly the best film of the summer, if not the best animation film of the year. It keeps what we love about Transformers while adding new elements to be excited about.

The theme in Transformers One is about how we change as individuals whether it is through ourselves or the situations we are put in. This is demonstrated by Megatron and Optimus Prime and is portrayed so well because we all know Megatron and Optimus Prime become enemies, which makes it even more engaging to find out how that happened for the very first time. The theme is touching, emotional, and impactful. You might walk out of the film feeling a little bit different after watching it.

I give Transformers One 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. This film releases in theaters September 20, 2024

Transformers One
By Carter P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 13

L-r, Brian Tyree Henry (D-16), Keegan-Michael Key (B-127), Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1) and Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax) star in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO’s “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

Gear up and roll out!  I love Transformers One.  It is fun, laugh-out-loud funny, has some heartfelt moments, and the chemistry between the transformers is outstanding.  The film definitely kept me entertained from beginning to end.  There is lots of action, incredible animation and the battle scenes are so cool.

Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, who are sworn enemies, but once were friends, bonded like brothers and changed the fate of Cybertron forever.

The film is definitely inspiring. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.

Scarlett Johansson (Elita-1) stars in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO’s “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

Transformers One is incredibly well animated. I love how it makes the Transformers feel very human-like.  The expressions on their faces are realistic and you can feel the emotions through the big screen.  It made me feel like each one has a mind and heart of its own.

The soundtrack, in some of scenes, brings out the right atmosphere and emotion. I love the songs during the battle scenes, especially when B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) is taking down the bad guys.

This animated version features great voice actors. All of them are great, but Keegan-Michael Key steals the show! His comedy is fantastic. He kept me laughing throughout the entire movie.

Vanessa Liguori (Arachnid) in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO’s “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

I also liked learning how Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) once were friends and what happened to make them enemies.  They are so good on screen together.

This film’s message is about believing in yourself and doing what is right.  It is very family friendly and, for fans of Transformers, this is a must watch, but even newcomers can enjoy it.

I give Transformers One 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  You can watch Transformers One in theaters on September 20, 2024.

Transformers One
By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime), left, and Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron) star in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO Present In Association with NEW REPUBLIC PICTURES
A di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY Production
A BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

I love the new animated film Transformers One! It captures the excitement and action of the Transformers movies in a new light. The film allows both long-time fans and newcomers to experience its expressive animation and engaging storyline.

The plot travels back in time to the origin story of Cybertron and the beginning of the Autobots and Decepticons. Four miner bots stumble upon the greatest secret of their time. Optimus Prime and Megatron—who are current rivals—are best friends until power puts their friendship to the test. The war that becomes all or nothing is on the horizon.

The main characters are Orion Pax/Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth), Megatron/D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), Elita (Scarlett Johansson), Bumblebee/ B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key), and Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm). These actors exquisitely bring life to their characters through their voices.

Brian Tyree Henry (D-16/Megatron) stars in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO Present In Association with NEW REPUBLIC PICTURES
A di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY Production
A BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

The beloved characters are brought into a new perspective that expresses their backstory. Before Optimus Prime and Megatron become enemies, they were best friends that worked together all the time. This part of the story is explained throughout the film and it’s very intriguing. Transformers One heled me understand the origin of the Transformers. Before, I wasn’t as interested in the franchise because I was confused about their mission and purpose. However, this film changes the game for me. The pacing is excellent; it’s neither too fast nor too slow. The film kick starts with the lives of the miners, which is contrary to the heroic figures we’ve seen them as. Optimus Prime is hiding in a trashcan – can you believe it? Right off the bat, I became invested in the plot line because it shows the heroes from another point of view.

Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) stars in PARAMOUNT ANIMATION and HASBRO Present In Association with NEW REPUBLIC PICTURES
A di BONAVENTURA PICTURES Production A TOM DESANTO / DON MURPHY Production
A BAY FILMS Production “TRANSFORMERS ONE”

Two generations can experience the joy of this fandom in different ways. In addition, the animation is breathtaking. It’s realistic yet creative, bringing the out-of-this-world imagination to life in a way that wasn’t possible before. The attention to detail in the animation allows the bots to show lifelike emotions. For instance, Elita’s feelings of anger and awe are very recognizable. This helps connect the audience to the plot. My favorite part is when Alpha Trion shows the group what happened during the Cybertronian War. In this scene, there’s a huge plot twist that affects the whole storyline.

The film’s message is to be loyal to your friends and always do what is right. Optimus Prime consistently chooses the path that will benefit his friends. Leadership is another central theme. If you’re given the opportunity to lead, how would you approach it? In reality, I’m not going to be a leader of Cybertron, but I am the leader of my own life. The Transformers need to learn to choose the right direction, which is an important lesson throughout the film.

I give Transformers One 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Transformers One releases in theaters on September 20, 2024.

After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Emma O. comments, “I love Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.  This movie has wit, jokes and a mix of the afterlife. It exceeded my expectations and is spot on brilliant. Every aspect of this film is jam-packed entertainment.” Keila V. adds, “I had a blast watching Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! Tim Burton’s original Beetlejuice (1988) was a quirky, darkly comedic journey through the afterlife, and the 2024 sequel brings that same manic energy with a fresh, ghostly twist.” See their full reviews below.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
By Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I love Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.  This movie has wit, jokes and a mix of the afterlife. It exceeded my expectations and is spot on brilliant. Every aspect of this film is jam-packed entertainment.  Director Tim Burton delivers a fabulous sequel to Beetlejuice and the return of the original cast plus a few new faces adds to its charm.

The storyline dives once more into the world of the afterlife with Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) and his quest to be in the world of the living.  His need to become human intensifies when he realizes his soul-sucking ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci) is out for revenge. Beetlejuice renews his focus to unite with human sweetheart, Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) to avoid death.  Lydia is a grown adult and a famous medium.  Her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega) does not believe in seeing ghosts and their relationship is broken from the death of her dad. Plots and sub-plots merge to create a chaotic and fun ending.

The opening musical score made me feel anticipation from the start. The film returns to the original white house on the hill in Winter River as the family morns for grandpa.  Memories of the house from childhood have Lydia seeing flashes of Beetlejuice.  The town offers an escape for her daughter to make new connections and a special friend.  The original house is not the only nod to the original Beetlejuice. We revisit the long wait lines in the afterlife, shrunken head Bob, misshaped hallways and the sandworm.  There’s an awesome Day O serenade. All of the special effects and makeup for the dead are fabulous. Delia (Catherine O’Hara) stands out to me — her dark tendencies for art become dark comic moments of dealing with grief. Her character is spunky and artistically fun. Beetlejuice is the consistent demon with head twirls, raspy voice and raunchy jokes. From costumes, sound effects, makeup and set design, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does not disappoint.

The film’s message is to value the love of your family, here and now. Create memories for today and not dwell on the past.  As amazing as this film is, it is a bit edgy with profanity, slight intimacy, violence, unsettling imagery, gore, jump scares and endless mentions of death and the afterlife.

I give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters September 6, 2024.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
By Keila V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

I had a blast watching Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! Tim Burton’s original Beetlejuice (1988) was a quirky, darkly comedic journey through the afterlife, and the 2024 sequel brings that same manic energy with a fresh, ghostly twist. This film is a great pick for a fun night out with friends and family.

Set years after the original, the movie revisits the afterlife with an exciting new spin. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Tim Burton), Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is now a renowned ghost hunter and paranormal investigator. Her life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.  When someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

The story cleverly blends themes of family, identity, and the supernatural, creating a nostalgic yet innovative experience. The pacing is dynamic, combining humor and suspense to keep viewers engaged from start to finish. It was a joy to see Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara) return, alongside Lydia, and to meet new characters like my favorite, Astrid Deetz, as well as Rory (Justin Theroux) and Delores (Monica Bellucci). Visually, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a treat for the eyes. The film’s creative team has expertly merged Beetlejuice’s iconic gothic style with cutting-edge special effects, resulting in a visually stunning and imaginative world. The special effects are impressively whimsical and grotesque, perfectly capturing the film’s dark humor and surrealism. One standout scene is when Astrid rides a bike around town, navigating a series of challenges and surprises that reflect her personal struggles and growth.

The film’s core message centers on self-acceptance, authenticity, and the value of true friendship. It encourages young audiences to embrace their unique selves and stay true to their identity, rather than fitting into others’ expectations. Additionally, it underscores the importance of loyalty and support in relationships, showing that genuine friends are those who accept you for who you are and stand by you no matter what.

I give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a solid 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Don’t miss it when it hits theaters on September 6, 2024!

Three kids discover a magical raincoat that transports them into the body of its former owner: a cursed magician last seen in the 1930s. With a scorned witch hot on their trail, they must solve the mystery of the raincoat and break its curse before it’s too late.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoey F. comments, “I love The Magician’s Raincoat. It is such A Great Movie, With Witty Humor, Amazing Graphics, And Many Plot Twists! The humor in this movie is what I am most impressed with. My favorite scene where this is shown is when Mrs Weaver’s cat puts on the raincoat and is turned into Semprini.” Josephine K. adds, “What a spectacular film! The Magician’s Raincoat is a magical and fantastical journey. The special effects are on point and look very realistic. The plot, sets, and script are all spectacular and organized in a way that ties the storyline together.” See their full reviews below.

The Magician’s Raincoat
By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I love The Magician’s Raincoat. It is such A Great Movie, With Witty Humor, Amazing Graphics, And Many Plot Twists!

The plot follows the magician Augustus Semprini (Cory Philips) as he performs one of his magic acts. Desperate for money, he steals a golden pin from a woman named Gertrude Cambellton (Ashton Leigh). She approaches him after the show, asking if he stole her broach. He denies her accusations, causing her to harness her witch powers and trap him inside his raincoat. The only way he can free himself is to return it. Almost 86 years pass and we meet Jack, a simple high schooler. Jack (Jake Alexander William) and his siblings come across the raincoat in their grandmother’s attic. The raincoat possesses the ability to turn the wearer into the spitting image of Augustus Semprini. A seemingly normal, but mean middle school teacher, Mrs Weaver (Laura Shatkus) is not that normal after all. She is a witch, and also after the raincoat!

The humor in this movie is what I am most impressed with. My favorite scene where this is shown is when Mrs Weaver’s cat puts on the raincoat and is turned into Semprini. The actor’s performance really convinced me that he was a cat, just in a human body. I also love that this movie has amazing actors that can really make these scenes come to life. Along with the acting, the graphics, costumes and sets of this movie are amazing. When the setting is in the 1900s, there are fitting sets and costumes that make this film come to life. The background music is always extremely fitting. When Mrs Weaver fights Jack, there is suspenseful music to match it. And when there are happy scenes, there is jolly, happy music.

The theme of The Magician’s Raincoat is that not everything is always as it seems. Augustus seems like a perfectly reasonable man, but he steals just to get money. Mrs Weaver seems like a normal teacher, but she turns out to be a witch.

I give The Magician’s Raincoat 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available for streaming beginning September 3, 2024.

The Magician’s Raincoat
By Josephine K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

What a spectacular film! The Magician’s Raincoat is a magical and fantastical journey. The special effects are on point and look very realistic. The plot, sets, and script are all spectacular and organized in a way that ties the storyline together.

This story begins with a magician (Cory Phillips) performing his show in the late 1920s. He doesn’t have the money to stay in the magic business so he pickpockets his attendees for money. Then, one of his victims turns his life into a disaster. So 86 years later, in present time, three siblings work together to help save the magician from an eternity of tragedy.

This film is high quality, and the plot is creative and fun. What stands out most are the camera work, acting, and storyline. The camera work is excellent and provides a variety of angles perfect for the scenes themselves. For example, when the kids are riding their bikes, the camera provides a bird’s eye view that follows them on their journey. The acting is exceptional and the actors are well cast and their portrayals are believable. Olivia (Taylor Bedford)  is brilliant and the actor who plays her shows this during a discussion with her science teacher (Laura Shatkus). I also like the part when the cat puts on the raincoat and “becomes” the magician; Cory Philips, who portrays him, is excellent.

The story is clear, enjoyable, innovative and intriguing, providing for the overall excellent experience. My favorite part is when Jack (Jake Alexander Williams) tries to talk to his crush, Kristy (Jenna Thaxton) and is not successful, which makes for a hilariously embarrassing scene.

The film’s message is that, over time, comes forgiveness, and eventually desperation. There are also strong themes of the importance of family.

I give The Magician’s Raincoat 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available for streaming beginning September 3 2024.

Sophomore year brews lots of changes for Monster High. The power of three is put to the test as Clawdeen, Draculaura, and Frankie face monstrous challenges this year–new students, new powers, evolving friendships, and a mysterious threat that could not only tear their friendship apart, but also change the world forever.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Avalon N. comments, “Monster High 2 is an impressive film that takes audiences into an immersive experience within this world of monsters. It has fantastic special effects and a character …One of my all-time favorite parts of this film is the choreography.” See her full review below.

Monster High 2
By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

L-R: Miia Harris as Clawdeen Wolf and Ceci Balagot as Frankie Stein in Monster High 2 on Nickelodeon and streaming on PARAMOUNT+. Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Nickelodeon/Paramount+.

Monster High 2 is an impressive film that takes audiences into an immersive experience within this world of monsters. It has fantastic special effects and characters that left me on the edge of my seat.

Monster High 2 is the sequel to Monster High in which Clawdeen Wolf (Miia Harris) is a half werewolf, half human that is running for prefect of Monster High against the new student Toralei (Salena Qureshi). Toralei ends up getting magic banded at Monster high so Draculaura (Nayah Damasen) runs off with a boy who promises that he can reunite vampires and humans as fellow witches. From there the chaos of this movie continues to unfold.

One of my all-time favorite parts of this film is the choreography. It’s all very fun to watch and also believable and makes sense within the context of the storyline. The vocals, combined with the choreography, make it even better. Two of my favorite songs from the film, for both vocals and choreography, are “Reason We’ve Got Magic” and “You Don’t Know.” They both add so much to the story and are very engaging to watch. Definitely keep a look out for those in the movie.

L-R: Kyra Leroux as Demi Boovais and Miia Harris as Clawdeen Wolf in Monster High 2 on Nickelodeon and streaming on PARAMOUNT+. Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman/Nickelodeon/Paramount+.

Something else I love is the costumes and sets. The whole show is set at the mythical school of Monster High and thus, they must have very elaborate costumes and sets in order to bring this school to life – the movie really pulls that through. Toralei and Draculaura have some of the coolest costumes in the film. Finally, the characters are terrific; each character is so well fleshed out and their personalities add so much to the film.

The message of this film is you don’t have to change who you are for anyone else. Stay true to yourself always.

Monster High 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Available now on DVD.

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