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“The Wolverine” picks up a few years after the 2006 film “X-Men: The Last Stand” leaves off. Logan is living alone in the mountains in fear that if he is around other people he will hurt them like he hurt Jean Grey (killed in X-Men: The Last Stand). When Logan is summoned by an old dying acquaintance from World War II, he decides to pay his respects and travel to Japan to say farewell to his friend. Soon after he arrives he realizes that he was called there for a different purpose. Yashida, the man from Logan’s past has brought him to Japan to offer him mortality so that Logan can finally be at peace. When he realizes that not all is as it seems with the powerful Yashida family, he has to face the tough decision whether to give up his life as Wolverine completely, or defend the Yashida empire. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D recommends the film to X-Men fans or “anyone who wants some action and entertainment.” Her full review is below.

The Wolverine
by Raven Devanney
Video review available here.
I really like this film. I was a bit confused at the beginning because it’s been years since I first saw “X-Men: The Last Stand” which plays a big part in this film. Once I jogged my memory a bit, the plot was perfect. The 3D in this film is incredible because it isn’t over the top. It is very subtle in a way that makes the images clearer and more realistic, but doesn’t have things jumping off the screen. The plot twists are very nice even if they are a bit predictable. All in all I am very pleased with the outcome of “The Wolverine.”

My favorite character has to be Yukio played by Rila Fukushima. She is a very spunky character who is sent to find and bring Logan to Japan to say goodbye to her master. She has incredible martial arts skills and is a very funny character. She is very small, so you wouldn’t expect her to be a fighter, but she ends up calling herself Logan’s “bodyguard.” I also like Hugh Jackman’s character Wolverine/Logan. He is very hesitant to go to Japan because he has left his identity of Wolverine behind him but, when he sees that innocent people are going to be hurt, he fights for them. Although he is a very tough character, you can see that he has a soft side, which we wee through his many visions of Jean and his sleeplessness because he misses her.

My favorite scene is when Logan battles the Yakuza mob on top of a bullet train. It is such a fast paced, high action fighting sequence that it kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also very unique because it happens on top of a train moving hundreds of miles an hour, so the participants of the fight are almost flying through the air.

I recommend this film for ages 13+ for the action, violence and mature situations. This movie is perfect for X-Men fans or if you just want some action and entertainment. I give “The Wolverine” 5 out of 5 stars.

The sequel to the 2010 blockbuster, “Grown Ups 2” follows Lenny, Eric, Kurk and Marcus after they start their new lives by moving back to the town where they grew up. The film takes place over the course of one day, the last day of school. Lenny plans a kick-start-to-summer party and, as the crew prepares for the festivities, things go awry. As usual, the grown ups are up to their old tricks of messing around like when they were younger, but now the kids are growing up and getting into trouble of their own. Starring comedic actors Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Chris Rock, this movie has all the makings for laughter. The only problem is the lack of real substance according to KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D., age 15 whose full review is below. On the other hand, 11-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O thinks, “The sequel is better than the original, which is very rare for movies” but he warns that the audience is really 13 to 18 due to the sexual innuendos, violence and language. See Gerry’s review below as well.

“Grown Ups 2”
Reviewed by Raven Devanney
See her video review here.

I really enjoyed this film. It’s definitely one to see if you want some laughs, but as for intelligence or plot, this film is lacking. This movie relies so much on making rude, crass and taboo remarks that it forgets about clever comedy. It is still a very entertaining movie but some of the unrealistic violence is a little bit and seems like a desperate pull for comedic relief, when it really just left me cringing. I think everything in this film focuses so much on getting people to laugh that there isn’t really any true focus on plot or character development. However, I was entertained and think the cinematography is well done.

I have two favorite scenes, and although they are both short, they still make me chuckle just thinking about them. The first scene is when Eric, played by Kevin James, goes to a car wash with his wife expecting to have scantily clad cheerleaders scrub his car. Instead he ends up getting male cheerleaders in ill-fitting short-shorts sudsing up his windshield. It’s so hilarious because the cheerleaders are the well-known comedic music group “The Lonely Island” and the things they so are hilarious. Another scene that made my sides hurt from laughing is when Lenny and his friends go to their old high school hangout  and have a run in with a group of frat boys. It is so hilarious because Taylor Lautner plays the head frat boy and he does such a comedic job of playing a total numb skull that is overprotective of his turf. The boys do this ridiculous handshake and it’s so perfectly cheesy and stereotypical that it makes me crack up just thinking about it.

I recommend this film for ages 13+ because of the rude humor and heavy sexual innuendoes. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars because it is funny and entertaining, but I wouldn’t rush to see it again and it lacks intelligent comedy and wit.

“Grown Ups 2”
Reviewed by Gerry O.
See his Gerry’s video review here.

I was holding my breath waiting for this film to come out ever since I heard about it. I anticipated that I would laugh a lot and love “Grown Ups 2” just as much as the first Grown Ups! This movie would make you laugh your head off, and say “awww” a lot.

When I started watching this film, I thought this is probably not as funny as the first one, or not as good. Adam Sandler once again proved me wrong against all odds! The sequel is better than the original, which is very rare for movies.

This funny story begins when it’s a few years after the first “Grown Ups” when Lenny (Adam Sandler!) took his family and his friends back to his home town. The guys learned from their mistakes, hopefully, and everybody has moved on from what happened a few years ago and everybody is happy once again. During the course of the movie, they get themselves into a number of awkward and funny situations, but one of them leads to a bigger issue that makes a bunch of college students really mad. Even that doesn’t stop this amazing group of friends. When Lenny hosts a party, he puts his daughter Becky to bed, (Alexys Nycole Sanchez) and then the fun happens. The college students are under the false impression that Lenny and his crew wrecked their dorm, so they are seeking revenge. That was actually not Lenny’s fault at all! If you want to find out what happens to the college students and how much trouble the guys get into you have to watch the movie!

I absolutely love this movie! It’s funny, like every Adam Sandler movie ever made. It’s a good story line with a number of heartwarming moments where you can truly see and appreciate how much these families love each other and their friends. What’s also cool is this is Happy Madison’s first sequel as well! The movie has adult and kid jokes (mostly adult), which is a very good perk for a funny movie. So, teens will really like it, but adults…well adults, you are going to LOVE it. I can promise that you haven’t had a laugh like this in a long time,

I have to say my favorite scene is when Marcus is inside a huge tire. Lenny is supposed to stop the wheel after like five feet but he gets a call and decides that is more important. Marcus just keeps rolling and rolling and rolling. When he finally stops rolling all the guys are screaming, “Me next”!

Since this movie is a bit adult like, this is definitely most suited to kids ages 13 to 18. This movie is also dangerously funny! I happily give this film 5 out of 5 stars. You rock, Adam Sandler and Happy Madison Productions!

From the makers of “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda,” “Turbo” is a high-velocity 3D comedy about an underdog snail who kicks into overdrive when he miraculously attains the power of super-speed. But after making fast friends with a crew of streetwise, tricked-out es-car-goes, Turbo learns that no one succeeds on their own. So he puts his heart and shell on the line to help his pals achieve their dreams, before Turbo-charging his own impossible dream: winning the Indy 500. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Cassandra Hsiao (age 15) comments, “Although initially skeptical, I changed my mind for the better because of the movie’s amusing wit and heart.” Stacy Belizaire (age 10) adds, “I love the movie ‘Turbo!’ It is really fun and must have been an awesome movie to act in.” Check out their full reviews below and see the difference between a 15-year-old and a 10-year-old’s perspective.

Turbo
By Cassandra Hsiao, age 14, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Video review available here.

Geared towards kids under the age of 10, “Turbo” will be sure to have kids delighted and cheering the snails on. However, the excitement merely lingers for a short while, just like the exhaust trail from a racecar speeding by.

For a movie about racing snails, “Turbo” isn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. Although initially skeptical, I changed my mind for the better because of the movie’s amusing wit and heart. A normal garden snail named Theo has big dreams of being the fastest racer in the world.  His brother, Chet, sees Theo’s dream as nonsense and a distraction to their work in the garden. One day, a freak accident involving Nitrous Oxide changes Theo to Turbo. Suddenly this snail has the abilities of a car – headlights, a stereo, and of course, unparalleled speed powers! A Mexican taco seller, who shares the same dreams as Turbo, enters the snail in the Indy 500. On his journey to the greatest car race in the world, Turbo befriends a gang of smooth cool snails (you’ll never look at snails the same way again) and meets his rival, the menacing racer, world-renowned Guy Gagne.

The plot is straightforward and simple, mixed in with heart-warming feel-good morals typical of underdog family-friendly animated genres. “Dream big!” the film seems to shout at every turn.  I could have done without highlighting the message quite so much. Although “Turbo” starts off slow, it gradually begins to pick up speed. The filmmakers also could have included more brother bonding moments between Turbo and Chet.

The voice-overs are solid, especially Ryan Reynolds’ Turbo and Paul Giamatti’s Chet. The snail gang is hilarious, voiced by Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz, Kurtwood Smith, Snoop Dogg and Samuel L. Jackson. Unlike Blue Sky Studio’s “Epic” that came out earlier this year, DreamWorks hired big names not because of their celebrity status, but because their voices actually fit the slick, suave characters.

At its best, “Turbo” is a heart-pounding inspiring flick, perfect to keep kids entertained. “Turbo” isn’t going to make its way into my evergreen library but certainly this family-friendly film will grab the kids’ attention long enough to give parents a much needed summer break.  The 3D is impressive! I felt like I was really racing alongside the snails. The film offers a snails-eye view, an interesting perspective especially while racing. “Turbo” can’t be compared to Pixar’s movies, but even so, it’s a rip-roaring adventure. Enter the race and catch “Turbo” in theaters, July 17!

Turbo
By Stacy-Love Belizaire, age 10, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
Stacy’s video review, with her older sister is available here

I love the movie “Turbo!” It is really fun and must have been an awesome movie to act in. This movie is an animated film about super-speed snail racing and features the voices of many different actors. Turbo is a lonely garden snail who is about to gain super speed powers and will race in the “Indy 500” which is meant for cars but, his amigo Tito didn’t take “no” for an answer.

This is a fast-action movie where Turbo, who watches a speed race every night and idolizes Guy Gangnè who is the national champion racer. Turbo memorizes every line he says as well as the commercial for the drink: Adrenolade. One day, when he is working in the garden, a “big red” tomato falls on the other side of the garden where the lawn is being mowed. Turbo is so slow that he imagines he is the racer racing for the “big red” tomato. He does not make it to the tomato but he still goes on his own journey in the rain all alone. This is when everything starts to happen and Turbo receives his powers by a racing car’s kind of gas.

The main characters are Turbo the snail (Ryan Reynolds), Tito (Michael Pena), Chet  (Paul Giammati), White Shadow (Michael Bell), Whiplash (Samuel L. Jackson), Smoove Mov (Snoop Dogg), Burn (Maya Rudolph) and  Skid Mark (Ben Swartz). All these characters are great but my favorite and the one that stands out the most is Chet because he was pretty annoying and he is the one that puts most of the negativity into the movie.  I thought it was really cool how the writer did that.

My favorite part is near the end where after Turbo loses all of his powers and then tries racing again at Dos Bros Tacos for everyone to see. All of a sudden, when it is almost time to race he gets all of his powers back in an amazing magical moment and it is really nice and cool. Turbo is really happy that he gains back his powers and speed.

I recommend the movie to all ages for anyone who loves action-filled adventures and having fun. I also found this movie very cool and safe for children to watch. It has very funny characters and scenes. The moral of this story is that even though you are a small snail and have big dreams, you can do anything you set your mind to.

If you need a break from all the comic-based films this summer, check this movie out. It’s a coming-of-age film about a teenager on summer break trying to find a place where he belongs. We see the awkwardness of adolescence in this film starring Steve Carell, AnnaSophia Robb and Toni Collette. Our KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D. (age 15) wasn’t a huge fan of the film, preferring more heady stuff but says ” it is entertaining for the time that you’re in the theater.” See her full review below.

The Way Way Back
Reviewed by Raven D.
Video review available here:

“The Way Way Back” tells the story of Duncan, played by Liam James, who is an awkward teen dealing with his mom’s boyfriend, Trent, played by Steve Carell. Trent and Duncan don’t exactly see eye to eye on most things and when the two of them are forced to spend the entire summer together, things get a bit complicated. Duncan decides to get away from his family by getting a job at the local amusement park, Water Wizz. There, he becomes friends with the manager Owen, played by Sam Rockwell, and Duncan begins to find himself with the help of his new friend.

I personally do not like this movie very much. I feel like it has nothing to special about it and the acting seems very forced, the lines are cheesy and the plot is unoriginal. All of the scenes were long with very few cuts in them which did make it feel more realistic, but it also makes the film to drawn out and boring. This film is an hour and 43 minutes and it could have been a 60 minute film. I am also bothered by the fact that there is hardly any music in this film, so when there is silence it is awkward in a non comical way.

My favorite character is Owen because I feel like Sam Rockwell is one of the only people who did their character justice. I even feel that Steve Carell is very monotonous and fake in this film, and I think he is usually a great actor. However I do like the character Owen for more than just that reason. He is very sweet to Duncan because he sees that he is having a hard time and he teaches him how to stand on his own. I also like Duncan, played by Liam James, because his character was generally very quiet and  bland in a way, and Liam does a good job portraying his character.

My favorite scene would have to be when Duncan is working his first day at Water Wizz. There is a bunch of teens break dancing in the park and Owen is supposed to break it up. Since he is such a slacker he gives Duncan this task and it is hilarious to watch him try to get the people to listen to him. It really shows how awkward he is and even though he is uncomfortable doing this task, he still does it to help out a friend.

I recommend this film for ages 13+ because there is quite a bit of mild profanities, inappropriate humor and drug usage. Overall I give “The Way Way Back’ 3 out of 5 stars because it is entertaining for the time that you’re in the theater, but it isn’t memorable or something I would see again.

This highly anticipated film produced by and starring Brad Pitt was a hit with our KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Raven D who found thought the zombie theme was becoming a bit redundant but enjoyed it’s fresh approach. Here full review follows.

World War Z
by Raven D.
Video review here.

In World War Z, a zombie pandemic has broken out and is consuming a large majority of the world’s population. But these zombies are like no other. Their goal isn’t to eat people, but it is to spread the virus to as many sustainable hosts as possible. Because of the rapid growth of the infected, the fate of the humans looks grim. Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane, played by Brad Pitt, is recruited to accompany scientists on a dangerous journey to find the source of the pandemic in order to create a cure. Since all it takes is one infected host to destroy entire cities, every second is a life or death situation for Gerry. Will he be able to change the fate of the human race, or will time run out?

I am actually very impressed with this film. Zombie movies seem to be such a big thing right now and they’ve honestly become a bit redundant. “World War Z” however brings a very fresh approach to the idea of “zombies” which really made this film. I think the special effects and 3D are very well done in this movie. I want to give huge props to the makeup department in this film because the zombie makeup is incredible. The way the prosthetics truly make the actors look sick and completely out of it is great. I also really enjoy the original music composed by Marco Beltrami. It has a very modern feel to it and is actually something I would listen to. It keeps a consistent melody through the film, making the scenes flow, while also fitting the mood of each individual scene very well.

My favorite scene would have to be when Gerry is in Jerusalem and the zombies attack. This is the scene when they all pile on top of each other to get over the walls. I think it is very visually impressive to see the detail of all those bodies scrambling over one another. It’s also a very suspenseful scene and it really shows that all it takes is one or two zombies to infect and wipe out an entire thriving community. Within minutes the whole city is infected and it is a very fast paced, memorable scene.

My favorite character is Segen played by Daniella Kertesz. She is a soldier stationed as a guard in Jerusalem who partners up with Gerry after the city is attacked. The two of them make an incredible team and I loved to watch their trust in each other grow since they saved each other’s lives. Daniella Kertesz is an incredible actress and her talent really shines through in this role. She can bring so much emotion to the screen with only her facial expressions which is something every great actor should possess.

I recommend this film to everyone ages 13+ because it definitely surpassed my expectations and is very well made, but it does have very intense and graphic situations not suitable for younger audiences. Overall I give “World War Z” 4.5 out of 5 stars, so be sure to check it out in a theater near you!