F1® The Movie * Outstanding Cinematography, Great Characters, Terrific Performances
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenomenon of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes, owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce, the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rayce S., comments, “F1® The Movie is really good with some of the best cinematography I’ve ever seen; and the way the movie looks isn’t the only thing to rave about, there’s also great characters and terrific performances…The film’s message is that without teamwork you cannot accomplish anything.” See his full review below.
F1® The Movie
By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
F1® The Movie is really good with some of the best cinematography I’ve ever seen; and the way the movie looks isn’t the only thing to rave about, there’s also great characters and terrific performances.
The storyline follows Sunny Haze (Brad Pitt), a veteran driver who suffered an injury early in his career, which halted his chances of going professional. Now, given the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage, he mentors the newest prodigy.
I really love the opening scene because it immediately sets the tone for the film and its overall theme. You can basically anticipate the whole film from the opening scene, which is foreshadowing.
The cinematography is outstanding; I love all the different shots, especially the point of view from inside the driver’s seat which lets you experience what it’s like to be in a Formula 1 race car.
I enjoyed all the characters and performances of the actors. Sunny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is the heart of this film and Pitt gives a well-rounded performance. Javier Barden is a great addition to the cast as Ruben and he brings a funny tone to the movie but also a serious one where he sets the stakes for the entire story. The standout performance for me is Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris).
He makes you hate his character for a while, and then also makes you like him. I liked every moment he was on screen, but that could be biased because he is one of my favorite actors. But his character goes through a great arc throughout the film.
The film’s message is that without teamwork you cannot accomplish anything. Teamwork matters in car racing as you need to rely on your pit crew and other drivers to help you succeed. You can’t do it all by yourself.
I give F1® The Movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters on June 27, 2025.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast, defies centuries of traditional dragon-fighting practice when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.
This film grabbed my attention and held it from the get go – the action and suspense of the battle scenes, the trials of flight and the intense training to be dragon slayer are all intense. Every character is lovable, from Hiccup, who is just the right amount of dorky and funny, to Astrid (Nico Parker), who is a total girl boss and one hundred percent ready to fight anyone that prevents her from becoming number one. The supporting characters all have endearing qualities such as Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), who knows every fact and detail about dragons and can’t wait to share it all — even if it means his hair is burnt-off; to the twins, Tuffnut (Harry Trevaldwyn) and Ruffnut (Bronwen James), who boast more than they should and constantly bicker. The eternal approval-seeking Snotlought (Gabriel Howell) strives for his father’s attention, as well as, winning over Astrid to numerous hilarious outcomes.
I like this live action re-adaptation of the original How to Train Your Dragon and how it combines action and humor.
Actor Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup, gets a special shout out for interacting with Toothless, the mythical creature who isn’t there. That’s acting!
My favorite character, Astrid (Nico Parker), is fierce, ambitious, and loyal and brings a new dimension to this important role. I have to mention the great performance of the village blacksmith, Gobber (Nick Frost), who is Hiccup’s mentor as he brings such humor, insight and compassion to his role. Cinematographer Bill Pope brings this amazing world to life along with fantastic costume design, production design, sound, animation and, of course, the visual and special effects throughout the film. I am thrilled that composer John Powell also reprised his role in creating the soundtrack for this live action adventure of How to Train Your Dragon. The film has an impressive website 
The film’s message is that you shouldn’t pretend to be someone that you’re not. Hiccup makes his journey of self-discovery through his bond with Toothless and together they come to learn that friendship can overcome many obstacles. They both defy the expectations of their social norms and learn to challenge and change those norms together. United they both accomplish things that would have been impossible alone. Be aware that younger children might be frightened by some of the scenes.
Toothless is brought to life through amazing CGI and his expressions, movements, and personality make him feel like a real creature that I could easily empathize with. The connection between Hiccup and Toothless is powerful, and I felt no gap between the real people and the CGI world. Gerard Butler returns as Stoick, Hiccup’s father, and brings extra strength to the character. I could clearly see his emotions deepen and mature as the story progressed. Nico Parker plays Astrid with confidence and charms, making her feel like more than just a secondary character. The flying scenes are absolutely breathtaking, especially when paired with John Powell’s sweeping musical score. The visuals — shot in Northern Ireland — add to the epic, adventurous feeling of the story. One of my favorite scenes is Hiccup and Toothless’s first flight together. It’s magical, filled with wonder, and shows just how much they trust each other.
The film’s message is about empathy, courage, and challenging the ideas we are taught. It reminds us that, just because something has always been done a certain way, doesn’t that mean it’s right. The film promotes positive behavior and strong values without feeling overly intentional. There is some action and fighting, but nothing is too intense or inappropriate for kids.
Karate Kid: Legends unites the iconic martial arts masters of one of the most beloved film franchises of all time to tell a completely new story full of action and heart. When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.
Karate Kid: Legends is a fast-paced adventurous drama that I believe is one of the breakout movies of the year. Some key highlights are the witty humor, incredible acting, and great production values.
All the actors bring their characters to life and made me laugh out loud. The acting throughout the movie is good, particularly Ben Wang who gives Li depth and personality. Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprise their former roles so well. However, Sadie Stanley, Li’s friend in the film, comes off as a bit forced at times.
This film’s message is: when life knocks you down, remember to always get back up. This message is explored when Li confronts his past and doesn’t let that affect his future. Be forewarned that it has mild cursing and violence.
Karate Kid: Legends is a heartfelt and exciting addition to the Karate Kid franchise. It mixes adventure and humor with both new characters and some favorite returning characters! However, some parts are a bit repetitive, especially the constant focus on the two branches of martial arts.
The comedy in this film really brings it together. The humor is scattered throughout in random, unexpected moments, which keeps the audience engaged and entertained. I also really enjoyed the action scenes — they are well-executed, which definitely add suspension to the fighting. For instance, when Victor and Li are surrounded in a dark alley, the fight scenes are performed beautifully. A heartbeat sound effect adds another level of reality to the scene. Due to the length of the film, it’s hard to grasp the background of each character, making it difficult to understand their motivations. I found it difficult to empathize with the characters for the most part.
However, the idea of the two types of martial arts is repetitive. Mr. Han’s kung fu and Daniel Larusso’s karate teaching methods clash. This exact situation happens in the series Cobra Kai, when Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence wrestle over which style of karate is better. The concept has been overused and it seems as if the creators are stretching it in this film a bit too much. My favorite part is the championship match. It’s set on top of a skyscraper, which is a neat addition. Without spoiling, the championship is thrilling and filled with anticipation.
Karate Kid: Legends is an incredible film that showcases action and bravery. I love how the setting changes from a beautiful quiet city to a loud and big city. It shows how much of a change it is for the characters.
Everyone that works there starts to mess with him because they don’t sell stuffed crust. After that happens, the people that worked there call him “stuffed crust” and his fighting name is Li Fong Stuffed Crust. Another favorite part is when Li is teaching Victor (Joshua Jackson) how to do Kung Fu and to box so he could win a boxing match. Li and Victor need to win so they can keep the pizza shop open and, in the process, they become good friends.
Though they might have their ups and downs, in the end everything works out and they are all friends again.
After wandering the desert for 40 years, Joshua leads the Israelites to the Promised Land. Confronted by the formidable walls of the fortress Jericho, they carry out God’s improbable plan — seven days of marching, culminating in a miracle.
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is an action-packed Biblical animated film with very detailed graphics that provide an excellent visual representation of the story of the Battle of Jericho. Although it was hard to watch, at times, due to some very detailed fight scenes, I enjoyed this inspiring film.
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is powerful with images that made this Bible story come to life. The close-ups of the evil Amorites gave me chills with their evil, mesmerizing eyes. I even had to look away during the numerous bloody fight scenes. The animation made me feel like I had front seats to the historical event of the fall of Jericho. It was overwhelming watching the walls crash down as the Israelites stomped and screamed. The sound effects also add to the experience. Every sword fight has sounds that made me feel like I was in the fight. I kept expecting comic book words to pop-up like, “Pow!” and “Wham!” Another thing I like is how God is shown as a shining pink light. This helps with visualizing God’s presence and his strength. He is truly fighting along with the Israelites to destroy evil.
The film’s message is to be strong when your faith is being tested. Beliefs are powerful and can lead you to finding your best life. Be forewarned that this show has a lot of violence and bloody scenes. There are also some hints at activities that are inappropriate for younger audiences.
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is a brand-new way to see the Bible. Bright colors, vivid graphics, and a compelling narrative create a thrilling quest from the sands of Egypt, to the banks of the Jordan, and everything in between.
The one thing that stands out the most is the animation. It’s quite an innovative style, much like anime or a comic book, and its color scheme is one to be proud of. However, there are a few issues. In many of the battle scenes, fighting sequences are reused, giving a sense of unoriginality at times when it’s needed most. The fighting itself is quite well executed, but the repeated scenes take away from the flair and significance. It makes up for this, in some regard, with the banter and conversations between the characters. These are often thoroughly and completely spoken, and showcase the events that happened in their time, whether it is the people of Jericho scheming on how to remove the Israelites from their lands, negotiations with kings, or Joshua discussing how to best approach an uncertain attack.
The voice cast for this film is exceptionally well done. Xander Bailey perfectly portrays the persona of Moses, capturing the kind, yet firm, emotions of the Israelite leader. Mac Rogers does the same with Joshua, showing his determination and bravery in the face of tyrants like the king of Jericho (Hayes Dunlap). As a whole, this film faithfully recreates the land of Canaan long ago, and the journey the Israelites took to get there.
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is an inspiring tale about family, perseverance and staying true to your faith, filled to the brim with action and adventure that had me holding my breath! I enjoyed the intensity of the battle scenes, which are backed by a powerful original soundtrack.
As Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho is comprised mostly of scenes depicting battles, the precision of the animation is among the first things I noticed. Every inch of the screen is filled with action, and having the characters designed with sharp lines, bright colors and strongly expressive features adds to the impression of pandemonium. But even during the most chaotic conflicts, there is no confusion created – it is clear who is winning and who is losing. A clever way the animators convey this is through the use of symbols. Sickles, for example, serve as an identifying factor for the Israelites and distinguish them from their enemies. This clarity is especially helpful during the louder, swifter scenes. The sound effects are also worth mentioning. I like the way the pitch deepens to foreshadow upcoming wars, as if a storm is brewing, and increases to match the cries of battle and further intensify the clashes.
Between the seamlessness of the animation and the strong background music, I was fully immersed and felt like I was standing right in the middle of the action. Finally, I like that the film features a female protagonist who is portrayed not only as a paragon of courage, but as a kind and generous person – Rahab’s introduction displays her giving gold coins to a poor family, and she risks her life more than once to stand up for and help the Israelites. She is a living message that a character is defined by more than the way they choose to live (Rahab was once the king’s most favored courtesan).
Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho ignites a spark in me to chase my dreams, no matter how crazy and out-of-reach they may seem – at the end of the day, you won’t win the battle if you don’t fight it. The film reminds me that determination and staying true to who you are or what you believe in can go a long way. Finding a cause you truly believe in and an army of people to back you up makes you a force to be reckoned with, whether or not you come out on top. Audiences should be aware that the film contains many scenes of war that feature animated blood and gore, two scenes containing domestic violence, one instance of alcohol use and several references to prostitution (Rahab mentions her former status as a courtesan), including one scene involving an animated dance for a king by multiple female escorts. There is no full nudity displayed in this film.
I like The Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho because of its historical, faith-based storyline and how Joshua displays such bravery and fearlessness when faced with challenging situations. However, l did not like that there is so much violence and was disappointed with the graphics.
The main characters are Joshua (Mac Rogers), Moses (Xander Baily) and Rahab (Merri Jamison). Joshua stands out, because he sets a good example of how a leader ought to be brave, stand strong and trust God when facing challenges, and difficult situations. The scene that caught my eye is when Moses passes on his leadership role to Joshua. I like how Joshua is so calm – he doesn’t brag, nor is he prideful; he is calm. I like how Moses leads the Israelites to the Promised Land. He remains calm even when they don’t have any food – believing that God will somehow provide for them.
Rahab is remarkable; she shows kindness and courage as she helps the spies that Joshua sends secretly to scout the city of Jericho. I also love how she tells her family about God. The production is quite well done, although I am not a fan of the look of the animation and how the characters are portrayed. Nevertheless, I like how the story rolls out. One of my favorite scenes is when they march around the Walls of Jericho and the walls collapse with mere shouts as the Ark of the Covenant leads them. The images of this part are cool.
Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
