KIDS FIRST! News

Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody’s slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they’re two worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “I absolutely love this film! It is funny, colorful, joyful and impeccably made. This sequel to Toy Story is not like the other ones.” Nathalia J. adds, “Do you ever look back at your first day of kindergarten? Well, that’s how Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the whole gang set off on their extremely enjoyable and wowing adventure.” Katherine S. adds, “It is so amazing that the Toy Story saga has been going on for 24 years and that so many of the main characters are voiced by the same actors as the previous movies including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Annie Potts.  The voices behind some of the new characters include Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks and Tony Hale.  We all thought that Toy Story 3 had the perfect ending, but this movie is even better.” Jada P. wraps it up with, “My favorite part of Toy Story 4 is definitely when Woody and Forky find their friendship through many changes of plans and difficulties… The plot, characters, and voice acting are all groundbreaking.” See their full reviews below.

Toy Story 4
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

My biggest shock of all was getting photo bombed by Tom Hanks while shooting my stand-up. I have to say that he is truly a very nice man.

This movie is the best Toy Story film yet! It has our favorite old characters, very funny new characters, a fun and emotional story line and a fantastic new director.

Toy Story 4 begins with Bonnie making a new friend in her kindergarten orientation and bringing it home. His name is Forky and, when he comes alive, all he knows is how to be trash.  Forky spends most of his time trying to escape and eventually does so from a moving RV when his family is on vacation. Our hero Woody is forced to go after Forky to make sure Bonnie is happy and to convince Forky that he is Bonnie’s toy.  During their travels they encounter several new toys and a few old ones as well.

It is so amazing that the Toy Story saga has been going on for 24 years and that so many of the main characters are voiced by the same actors from the previous movies including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Annie Potts.  The voices behind some of the new characters include Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks and Tony Hale.  We all thought that Toy Story 3 had the perfect ending, but this movie is even better. The director, Josh Cooley, is brilliant as he is able to pull out the best performance from all of the actors, to the point that you think that the toys are real people, not just animated characters. My favorite part is when Buzz finds his inner voice.

The message of Toy Story 4 is about transitioning from one situation to another through bravery, perseverance and friendship. You should know that there are a few risky things that kids might try to imitate such as jumping out of a RV, messing with a car and going under a carousel.

I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 15. Adults will love this movie as well.  This movie opens nationwide in theaters on June 20, 2019.

Toy Story 4
By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

I absolutely love this film! It is funny, colorful, joyful and impeccably made. The animation is a lot better too! This sequel to Toy Story is not like the other ones, which I like; so it does not repeat the first three. Toy Story 4 goes one step forward and closes the circle, sort of.  There will be always room for more toy adventures.

In this new film there are some awesome new and unique characters. And there is a transformation of an old character, but you need to see the movie to find out which one I mean!

The story is basically about a little girl, Bonnie, who gets all of Andy’s toys because he goes to university. Bonnie loves all her new (at least new for her) toys, but she doesn’t play with Woody often. He feels sad but doesn’t want to show it. Then one day comes, and it’s Bonnie’s first day of kindergarten. In class she feels lonely but Woody, breaking all laws (toys don’t go to school because they can get lost) comes in her backpack. Woody gets some material and Bonnie makes, literally, a new best friend: Forky. But there’s one problem: Forky thinks he’s made out of trash and consequently he has issues. When Bonnie’s family goes on a road trip, Forky feels he doesn’t belong—he gets lost, and from there the toys have to face multiple obstacles to rescue Forky.

The story is mainly focused on Forky and Woody and some new characters that you meet. What is interesting is that you don’t really see the the other group of old toys that much. Like every Toy Story film, the toys work together to help fix a conflict. But this film focuses on a completely different character, Bonnie, and not on Andy. Woody will go to infinity and beyond to rescue Forky. His sense of loyalty is contagious, and Forky is so funny with his issues. Completely different characters, brand new conflict and new frontiers make this film unique. 

I also love the colors which are beautiful. Something I find very interesting is that the animation is so well done that you sometimes forget that you’re watching an animated movie. I loved the new characters like Duke Caboom, and I think Keanu Reeves is the only person who could bring life to Caboom with a distinctive voice. I also like the character of Gabby Gabby; she was very interesting, intriguing and the more you find out about her the more you want to know.

The message of this film is be loyal, be the best you can be and listen to your inner voice, so that you can decide your own destiny.

I recommend watching other Toy Story movies before this one if you haven’t already. I love this film so I would give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-10 and adults as well.  Toy Story 4 opens in theatres June 21, 2019

Toy Story 4
By Nathalia J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

The toys are back on the big screen with an all-new adventure in Toy Story 4. Do you ever look back at your first day of kindergarten? Well, that’s how Woody(Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the whole gang set off on their extremely enjoyable and wowing adventure. That’s right, the whole gang is back with some new friendly faces. This animated, adventurous, fresh and amusing film is directed by Josh Cooley. Get ready for a treat, as it is nothing short of magical.

Toy Story 4 is a computer-animated comedy produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. The story follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang as they embark on a road trip with Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) and a new toy named Forky (Tony Hale). The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody’s slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts). As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon realize that they’re worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy. Get ready as the old and new friends reveal how big the world can be for a toy.

The lead characters in the film welcome both veteran and new voices, including Woody, Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), Forky, Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), Bo Peep, Buzz Lightyear, Rex (Wallace Shawn) and many more talented actors.  The animation is groundbreaking, bright and beautiful. I was taken back by all the colors and little details which make it so believable. For example, in one scene the gang is at an actual carnival. The rides and games seem to so real, I definitely felt as if I was part of the joy ride. 

My favorite character is undeniably Forky, because he brings excitement and laughter to the film. I love how Forky creates a plan and fails in a hilarious way, because Woody saves the day for Bonnie. If I could give Forky two character traits, it would be outrageous and funny.

My favorite scene from Toy Story 4 is when Woody encounters Bo Peep after ten years and he introduces himself to her new friends. When he tries to give her a hug, a motorized car skunk comes through with Bo Peep’s sheep controlling the car. Woody’s reaction is priceless. His eyebrows are up and his eyes are wide open.

There is some risky actions in this film that younger children might try to imitate, such as jumping out of a moving vehicle, popping the tires, going into a store when it’s closed and jumping across shelves. This film shares many important messages about friendship, helping others, love and most importantly, never leave a friend stranded.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 16, as well adults. Toy Story 4 opens in  theaters nationwide June 21, 2019. Make sure to check it out!

Toy Story 4
By Jada Pace, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I absolutely LOVE this film! Not only does Toy Story 4 contain hilarious humor, but also emotional scenes, which make the film well balanced with seriousness and laughter throughout and make an interesting storyline. I love the way the characters use their feelings and gut to help lead themselves throughout the story.

In the film, Bonnie makes a new toy out of recycled materials in kindergarten and instantly falls in love with it. But her new toy, Forky, feels like he is not meant to be a toy.  Instead, his heart’s desire is to belong to the trash. This results in Forky trying to escape to the trash at every chance he is given. Fortunately, Bonnie’s other toy, Woody, stops Forky from running away, but then the toys find themselves lost on the search for their beloved Bonnie. Will they fine Bonnie or stay lost in the woods for good? You will have to see the film to find out!

My favorite part of Toy Story 4 is definitely when Woody and Forky find their friendship through many changes of plans and difficulties. Their journey shows how things can change over time. I also really enjoyed the animation and how clear the voice actors voices are during the movie. The plot, characters, and voice acting are all groundbreaking.

The message of this film is to always follow your heart and do what your heart desires. It is always important to do what you feel is better for you.  I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12.  Toy Story 4 releases in theaters, June 21, 2019. Be sure to look for it!

Max the terrier must cope with some major life changes when his owner gets married and has a baby. When the family takes a trip to the countryside, nervous Max has numerous run-ins with canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Selene W. comments, “Love, love, love this movie!  Can’t wait to see it again this Friday.  This film is absolutely hysterical. Both the audience and I laughed throughout the screening.  Everything about this film is dog-tastic, from the screenwriting to the art, animation, sound, special effects and characters.” KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. adds, “I absolutely love this family-friendly animated sequel. It has so many superstar voice actors and the animation is dramatic and ingenious. The creators introduce new zany and lovable characters.” Kendall M. wraps it up with, “The Secret Life of Pets 2 is a phenomenal, all-around fantastic movie. The film is enjoyable and puts a smile on your face. It’s a movie for everyone to enjoy with their friends and families. The movie has different aspects to it. It is also cool to see how the pets interact with each other and seeing how they work together as a team.” See their full reviews below.

The Secret Life of Pets 2
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Love, love, love this movie!  Can’t wait to see it again this Friday.  This film is absolutely hysterical. Both the audience and I laughed throughout the screening.  Everything about this film is dog-tastic, from the screenwriting to the art, animation, sound, special effects and characters.

Secret Life of Pets 2 continues with the story of Max and Duke, but this time Katie gets married and has a son named Liam. At first, Max doesn’t really like having Liam around, because he never leaves him alone. Then they start to bond. Max starts to really care about Liam and vows to protect him. Katie decides to take a family trip to a farm and this introduces a whole new cast of characters and funny situations on the farm.  Max meets Rooster, a brave dog who rules the farm and teaches Max how to handle a lot of his issues.  Meanwhile, back in New York City, all of Max and Duke’s pet friends continue with their crazy antics, including rescuing a white tiger from the circus and Chloe helps transforming Gidget into a cat, to get out of a messy situation.  My favorite character is Snowball, the white rabbit. His superhero scenes rescuing the tiger with his new pal Daisy are hysterical. 

Max’s voice is portrayed by Patton Oswalt and Duke is, once again, performed by Eric Stonestreet. The introduction of Rooster, voiced by Harrison Ford, adds a lot of depth and meaning to Max’s outlook and the film.  The animation is breathtaking, from the first scenes in Central Park, to the various scenes around the farm. The cast are all very talented portraying their various vocal roles. Brian Lynch’s screenplay pulls it all together, with amazing humor for every character.

The message of this film is to be brave and embrace change.  Max worries about the changes a baby will bring to his family, but learns to love Liam and become his best friend. Max continues to learn about changes at the farm and how to deal with them, as Rooster advises, “Some stuff happens and then it’s over.”  Accept and move on, because change can be positive.

I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 18, but adults will enjoy it as well as evidenced by all of the audience laughter.  This movie opens in theaters June 7, 2019. Look for it!

The Secret Life of Pets 2
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

I absolutely love this family-friendly animated sequel. It has so many superstar voice actors and the animation is dramatic and ingenious. The creators introduce new zany and lovable characters.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is about a bunch of New York city pets and their daily adventures – from parks to farms and more – while their owners are away at work. The writers are very creative.  They are successful intertwining different stories throughout the entire movie. For example, when Max and Duke get a new kid named Liam, they take a trip out to a farm where they meet a new character named Rooster. Snowball meets a darling new friend named Daisy and the two of them save a white tiger named Hu.  My favorite part is when Pops is doing puppy school.

The best thing about this film is that you don’t have to see the previous movie to enjoy the sequel. I think The Secret Life of Pets 2 blows The Secret Life of Pets out of the water with its incredible music and star-studded cast. The voice actors include Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Harrison Ford and Eric Stonestreet.

The messages in The Secret Life of Pets 2 are: It is okay to be afraid and 2. Teamwork is important. Note that it does have some mild violence, a couple fight scenes and some chase scenes. There are a few risky things that kids might try to imitate such as running into forests unsupervised, fighting wolfs and saving a wild animal. But, really, it’s pretty tame.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 15, as well as adults. I highly recommend this to all pet lovers. This film opens in theaters June 7, 2019 so look for it.

The Secret Life of Pets 2
By Kendall M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is a phenomenal, all-around fantastic movie. The film is enjoyable and puts a smile on your face. It’s a movie for everyone to enjoy with their friends and families. The movie has different aspects to it. It is also cool to see how the pets interact with each other and seeing how they work together as a team.

The storyline is about different pets going on adventures and exploring New York City. The protagonist Max goes through changes in his life, when his owner gets married and has a child. On the other hand, a cute bunny named Snowball and a puppy Daisy go on a crazy adventure saving a tiger from an evil circus owner. The movie has crazy, funny jaw-dropping moments that you don’t want to miss.

Some of the highlights of this are the cast and storyline. Big ups to writer Brian Lynch for a great screenplay. The message of the film is to always look out for each other, not just family and friends, but others we may not know. In this movie, these pets always have each others’ backs and really look out for one another. As human beings, we should do a better job of that, especially in our society. It would make the world a better place.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to18, as well as adults. Note that it  has some rude humor. It opens in theaters nationwide June 7, 2019.

This is the story of one of the X-Men’s most beloved characters, Jean Grey, as she evolves into the iconic Dark Phoenix. During a life-threatening rescue mission in space, Jean is hit by a cosmic force that transforms her into one of the most powerful mutants of all. Wrestling with this increasingly unstable power as well as her own personal demons, Jean spirals out of control, tearing the X-Men family apart and threatening to destroy the very fabric of our planet. The film is the most intense and emotional X-Men movie ever made. It is the culmination of 20 years of X-Men movies, as the family of mutants that we’ve come to know and love must face their most devastating enemy yet — one of their own. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “I really like the moral of the movie: you never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Jean Grey needed to know how strong and powerful she is, because she doesn’t have a choice. Another message is about how family will always be there for you and will help you through tough times.” Will C. adds, “Dark Phoenix is an exciting, action-packed ending to the current series of X-Men films. The humor, special-effects and solid acting make this a great choice for a summer movie. If you’re not familiar with the most recent X-Men movies, you might want a refresher, before you see this one. I watched a quick recap on YouTube and it helped me become familiar with the characters.” Abraham F. chimes in with, “Dark Phoenix is a conclusion to the X-men franchise. The best aspect of this film is the actors. Sophie Turner, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender put up some great performances, as always. But, this film lacks the sort of intensity and depth that makes you want to care about the characters.” See their full reviews below.  

Dark Phoenix
By Ethan Persten, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

I really like this movie.  I love super hero movies, especially Marvel movies.  Unfortunately, I was a lot younger when I watched the previous X-Men movies, so I don’t remember them that well.  When I was watching Dark Phoenix, I was a little lost on the background of the characters.

Dark Phoenix is about the super hero team we all know as X-Men. The main character is the one and only Jean Grey portrayed by Sophie Turner who we also know as Sansa, The Queen of the North from Game of Thrones. The movie shows how Jean Grey meets Professor X (James McAvoy) after a fatal car accident and how she joins the X-Men team.  Professor X sends Jean and the X-Men team off on a rescue mission in space.  They have to rescue a group of NASA astronauts. During the rescue mission, Jean suffers an accident, causing her to start losing control of her emotions and power.  Her uncontrolled emotions are mostly anger and rage, which accounts for the title of the movie, Dark Phoenix, because you see a bit of the dark side of Jean Grey. The villains in the movie are a group of aliens that lost their planet in an explosion, so they come to planet Earth to kidnap Jean and acquire her powers.

Besides Sophie Turner and James McAvoy, this movie has another well-known actress, Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), who we know as Katniss Evergreen in The Hunger Games.  In this film, we see a different Mystique, showing her good side and her protectiveness for her team.  The sound and visual effects are amazing. My favorite scene is when the X-Men team rescue Jean and have to fight off the aliens. There are some sad parts such as the loss of some characters, which, of course, you need to watch the film in order to know which ones are gone.

I really like the moral of the movie: you never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Jean Grey needed to know how strong and powerful she is, because she doesn’t have a choice. Another message is about how family will always be there for you and will help you through tough times. The X-Men and Professor X are Jean Grey’s family.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults.  I don’t recall any profanity in the film, but there is a far amount of graphic, bloody death scenes.  The film opens nationwide in theaters June 7, 2019.

Dark Phoenix
By Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

Dark Phoenix is an exciting, action-packed ending to the current series of X-Men films. The humor, special-effects and solid acting make this a great choice for a summer movie. If you’re not familiar with the most recent X-Men movies, you might want a refresher, before you see this one. I watched a quick recap on YouTube and it helped me become familiar with the characters. Even though I haven’t seen any of the previous films, it wasn’t as confusing as I thought it would be, and I still understood enough to enjoy it.

Dark Phoenix is in the same timeline as X-Men: Days of Future Past and X-Men: Apocalypse. It centers on the powerful mutant, Jean Grey. In 1992, the X-Men are sent on a space mission to retrieve a crew from a solar flare. Jean Grey, a.k.a. Phoenix, saves them by going inside and closing up the holes. While doing this, she absorbs a cosmic force and becomes Dark Phoenix. Some aliens find out that their source of power was absorbed and taken to Earth, so they morph into the shape of humans and start doing normal bad guy stuff – they want to take over the world, destroy the world, which is basically all any of the bad guys want to do in these comic book movies!

My favorite thing about this movie is definitely the incredibly awesome fight scenes! The special effects are very impressive and I love how they show all the mutants using their abilities together. There’s a scene on a train where my favorite character, Nightcrawler, uses his powers of teleportation to fend off the aliens. I was looking forward to seeing Quicksilver, but he actually isn’t in the film much. I’m disappointed because he really could’ve helped the storyline along.

Parents should know that there’s plenty of violence and some blood, and a main character meets a distressing end. There’s not a lot of bad language, but there is one big, dramatic F-bomb that kids might be tempted to imitate. The message of this film is that you should be prepared to face the consequences of your actions. Charles Xavier is presented as a flawed hero who makes choices both good and bad, so if you’re looking for a movie where the main characters do no wrong, this might not be for you!

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Adults who like comic book movies should enjoy it too. Dark Phoenix opens in theaters everywhere Friday June 7, 2019.

Dark Phoenix
By Abraham Finer, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Dark Phoenix is a conclusion to the X-men franchise. The best aspect of this film is the actors. Sophie Turner, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender put up some great performances, as always. But, this film lacks the sort of intensity and depth that makes you want to care about the characters. Also, the visual effects are lackluster. It has the most exposition by one character, which is so constant that you feel like you’re having the entire movie spoon fed to you.

Dark Phoenix follows Jean Grey, an X-man. She is infused with what is thought to be a solar flare. When Hank runs a test on her, the stats are off the charts, even though she was exposed to the solar flare. She fights with her emotions to prevent hurting her friends and people she loves. She figures out a repressed secret about herself and goes to Eric for guidance, only to be rejected.

My favorite scene is the train fight scene, because it provides some great action and develops the story a bit. It shows the teamwork between the X-men. We see the baddies crawling over the train, trying to reach Jean, with all of the mutants holding them back. I have an issue with this scene though. When Nightcrawler lets a guard die, he gets infuriated and releases his anger on the bad guys. This scene bothers me, because Nightcrawler is generally pretty passive and, because he lets one person die, he turns into Azazel, a villain in X-men: First Class.

This movie has some great stars. Sophie Turner who plays Jean Grey / Phoenix is easily recognizable for her role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones. Co-star James McAvoy who plays Professor Charles Xavier is known for his past performances as the Professor in the previous X-man films. Michael Fassbender plays Magneto/Erik Lehnsherr and is well-known for his role in the Alien films and the Steve Jobs biopic.

The message in this movie is that even though everyone around you is saying you’re bad, doesn’t mean you are. I recommend this movie to people that liked the previous X-men films or other action films. There is not much risk in this film. I recommend it for ages 14 to 18, as well as adults and give it 2 out of 5 stars. It opens in theaters nationwide June 7, 2019. Check it out.    

Some friendships transcend lifetimes. In A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the heartwarming global hit A Dog’s Purpose, beloved dog Bailey finds his new destiny and forms an unbreakable bond that will lead him, and the people he loves, to places they never imagined.

Bailey (voiced again by Josh Gad) is living the good life on the Michigan farm of his “boy,” Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Ethan’s wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). He even has a new playmate: Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter, CJ. The problem is that CJ’s mom, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), decides to take CJ away. As Bailey’s soul prepares to leave this life for a new one, he makes a promise to Ethan to find CJ and protect her at any cost.

Thus begins Bailey’s adventure through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion as he, CJ (Kathryn Prescott), and CJ’s best friend Trent (Henry Lau) experience joy and heartbreak, music and laughter, and few really good belly rubs. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Will C. comments, “A Dog’s Journey is my second-favorite reincarnating dog movie. This sweet, but unoriginal sequel to 2017’s A Dog’s Purpose is much like the first one, with plenty of cute doggy screen time and butt-sniffing jokes.” Selene W. adds, “I absolutely love the emotional journey that Bailey takes in this film! Bailey’s sense of humor shines throughout the film as he tries to make sense of the actions of his various owners and his meaning in life.” Raquel Y. wraps it up with, “The film A Dog’s Journey, directed by Gail Mancuso, is the most heartwarming, tear-jerking, wholesome film yet to hit the theaters. This movie (the sequel to A Dog’s Purpose directed by Lasse Hallström) is much better than the original film, because it incorporates characters from the previous film and adds a whole new plot.” See their full reviews below. 

A Dog’s Journey
By Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

For a movie for dog lovers, this one sure shows a lot of dog deaths! As the movie begins, loyal dog Bailey is living with Ethan and Hannah as an old Saint Bernard on their farm in Michigan. As Bailey draws his last breaths, Ethan orders the dog’s spirit to watch over his granddaughter CJ throughout her life. That’s exactly what the reincarnating dog does, first as a puppy named Mollie, who helps CJ as a child, then as a terrier named Max, who helps teen and adult CJ (Kathryn Prescott).

Josh Gad is back as the perfect dog voice, which stays the same regardless of the breed his spirit is currently inhabiting. Director Gail Mancuso has made a real tearjerker for dog fans, aided by Mark Isham’s strings-heavy score.

This movie has fewer adult themes than the book it’s based on. Aside from the dog deaths, there are a few other things that might upset younger children. One character gets very sick and another is stalked by an ex-boyfriend. There’s also an upsetting car crash and some alcohol and drug use at a party.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, but adults will like it too, if they really love dog movies. You can find A Dog’s Journey in theaters everywhere starting May 17, 2019.

The message of this film is that you can persevere to overcome the bad things that happen to you in life. And, you should surround yourself with people who care about you.

A Dog’s Journey
By Selene Weiss, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

I absolutely love the emotional journey that Bailey takes in this film! Bailey’s sense of humor shines throughout the film as he tries to make sense of the actions of his various owners and his meaning in life.  He balances his purpose with his love for bacon and all disgusting smells. 

A Dog’s Journey continues with the story of Bailey and the humans in his life.  His relationship continues with Ethan on the farm until Ethan gives him a new purpose which is to protect Ethan’s granddaughter, C. J.  Bailey goes through many changes and continues to be puzzled by humans.  He protects C. J. at any cost from the time she is a toddler through her adult experiences.  Some of my favorite scenes are those where he deliberately misbehaves or manipulates to get rid of her boyfriend Barry. Bailey gathers people into his human packs and eliminates others that don’t belong.

Bailey’s voice is portrayed by Josh Gad who has a brilliant sense of comedic timing and he adds so much humor and depth to Bailey’s character.  W. Bruce Cameron who wrote the book, also worked on the screenplay.  Dennis Quaid returns to the role of Ethan and the movie just wouldn’t be the same without him.  Casting is by John Papsidera and the entire cast is talented and works together seamlessly in their humorous and very touching roles under the guidance of Director Gail Mancuso. 

The message of this film is to find meaning in your life experiences.  In all of Bailey’s lives he learns things which fulfill his purpose and allow him to find meaning in his actions with his humans.  It is an emotional roller coaster filled with laughter, joy, love, tears and bacon.

I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 18, but of course adults will definitely enjoy it too. This movie opens nationwide in theaters May 17, 2019.  

A Dog’s Journey
By Raquel Y., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

The film A Dog’s Journey, directed by Gail Mancuso, is the most heartwarming, tear-jerking, wholesome film yet to hit the theaters. This movie (the sequel to A Dog’s Purpose directed by Lasse Hallström) is much better than the original film, because it incorporates characters from the previous film and adds a whole new plot. The film is about a dog (Josh Gad) named Bailey (initially) and the many lives he experiences while trying to help and protect toddler Clarity Kathryn Prescott) from unnecessary hardships.

My favorite part is when Bailey does a major chase throughout a neighborhood in New York City in order to reunite with Clarity for the second time. The tension as well as the suspense of Bailey being lost for even just a split second, and then the progression of Bailey’s character conveyed through his determination to make it to Clarity ties the movie together. This event effortlessly launches us into the next plot twist which is a key detail that I love even though it is a small event (timewise).

My least favorite thing about the film is the slow-paced beginning. I was so excited to finally get a sequel to the amazing original film, but the beginning is unnecessarily lengthy. A movie that good doesn’t need the cushion of a background story, especially since we already have the previous film to refer to.

I give A Dog’s Journey 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, although adults are sure to love this movie as well.  You can catch this movie in theaters near you starting May 17, 2019.

The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient superspecies, thought to be mere myths, rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Arjun N. comments, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a one of kind slamfest, despite some bland plot points and characters. The excellent cinematography and special effects really immerse the audience into the ring.” Will C. adds, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters is over two hours of non-stop monster action! I loved watching the extraordinary action scenes where giant monsters battle each other. The best part of this movie is definitely the special effects, which are amazing!” Ethan P., wraps it up with, “I love this movie so much because of the cool creatures that lurk in this make believe world.  This is one of the best movies I have ever seen.” See their full reviews below.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters
By Arjun Nair, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a one of kind slamfest, despite some bland plot points and characters. The excellent cinematography and special effects really immerse the audience into the ring.  All fans of summer monster movies or just summer blockbusters, in general, must check this out on the biggest screen possible.

The film follows secret agency Monarch as its members face off against a battalion of god-sized monsters, or kaiju, including Mothra, Rodan and the ultimate mastermind – the three-headed Ghidorah. These threats leave humanity’s very existence teetering towards impending apocalypse. But sometimes, one must fight fire with fire. Their only hope relies in the mighty kaiju Godzilla, who anyways intends to kill these monsters for dominance.

The ensemble cast of Monarch includes many A-list actors including Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Bradley Whitford and Sally Hawkins. All of them give their best, but mediocre a screenplay really gives the human scenes a somewhat lethargic feel. The family drama between Kyle Chandler’s Mark Russell and Vera Farmiga’s Emma Russell feels out of place, and it really just adds nothing to the overall plot. Thankfully, Milly Bobby Brown adds a complex perspective with expressive acting and a signature defiant attitude. Bradley Whitford is the most memorable character here, with his wit and well-timed comic relief. Charles Dance, as Jonah Alan, is a great addition as the veteran actor gives his all as this menacing new threat. It’s really all in the kaiju here, with their unique designs and characteristics. I quite enjoyed Ghidorah’s banter between each of his three heads.

Michael Dougherty spectacularly directs with great roaring fights and exploration of lore. He pays homage to the best of the old Gojira movies. However, I miss the more small-scale feel of Godzilla (2014). Gareth Evans really added something new to the monster movie genre with that. But, there are tons more fights here, which should alleviate fans’ complaints about the lack of fights and monster screen time in the previous movie. The soundtrack helmed by Bear McCreary roars, paying respect to the original themes that started it all. My favorite scene is a climatic moment, and that I can’t spoil. It explains most of the surrounding lore and contains one truly chilling scene from Ken Watanabe’s excellent acting. McCreary’s track elevates this to one of the best scenes this year overall.

The message of this film is about the commitment to family, whether from the Russells or between fellow Monarch crewmates. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, due to intense monster fights and language. The movie releases in theaters on May 3, 2019, so check it out.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters
By Will Chuhta, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is over two hours of non-stop monster action! I loved watching the extraordinary action scenes where giant monsters battle each other. The best part of this movie is definitely the special effects, which are amazing!

The action starts with a flashback to the previous Godzilla movie from 2014, but you don’t need to have seen that film to enjoy this one. The plot revolves around a new communication technology that allows scientists to control ancient monsters such as Mothra, Rodan and of course, Godzilla. Unfortunately, some bad guys steal this technology and try to release the monsters from captivity to destroy the planet, including the terrifying Monster Zero. The good guys have to decide if they want to take the risk of helping Godzilla defeat Monster Zero, potentially making him stronger than ever before.

My favorite part of this movie is a hilarious joke about a fortune cookie, delivered by my favorite character, Dr. Ishiro Serizawa. He’s played by Ken Watanabe, who continues his role from the previous movie. Millie Bobby Brown, who you may recognize from Stranger Things, gives an excellent performance as the daughter of two of the scientists who built the technology that communicates with the monsters. There are lots of exotic locations, including Antarctica, but the special effects are the most important part of this movie, particularly the monsters and especially Godzilla, who frequently shoots something like a giant blue laser beam from his mouth.

Parents should know that there’s a lot of bad language, and lots of people are killed in various battles, so younger kids are advised to stay away. Also, be warned that there’s a very scary preview for the movie IT Chapter Two that plays before the film. So if you don’t want your kids to see Pennywise the evil clown, make sure to come just as the movie is starting. Godzilla: King of the Monsters doesn’t really have a strong message, it’s mainly action, action, action! Don’t forget to stick around for the post-credits scene that sets things up for the next film in the franchise: Godzilla vs. Kong.

I give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Some adults will like it too, although my dad didn’t think it was very good. Godzilla: King of the Monsters opens in theaters nationwide Friday May 31, 2019.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

I love this movie so much because of the cool creatures that lurk in this make believe world.  This is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is about a family trying to save the world from creatures called The Titans. Godzilla is the main Titan in this film. The movie focuses on the wife, Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) and her ex-husband Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler).  Both of them are trying to save the world, but the villain veteran Jonah Alan (Charles Dance) tricks Dr. Russell into unleashing all of the Titans. She unleashes one of the oldest and strongest, a three-headed monster named King Ghidorah. King Ghidorah and the rest of the Titans that are awakened destroy numerous countries. It is Godzilla’s duty to stop them.

Something cool that I like is that famous actress, Millie Bobby Brown, from Stranger Things, plays Madison Russell who is Emma’s and Mark’s daughter. She has a very important role in this movie as she tries to fix what her mom did wrong. The special effects and sound effects are so good that it feels as if you are actually there, live, and can see everything. Watching Godzilla fight with King Ghidorah kept everyone in the movie theater on the edge of their seats. At the end of the fight, one of the Titans has a special connection with Godzilla and something very interesting happens. 

The moral of this movie is that Godzilla is the one and only Boss! Also, it reminds us that family comes first and the monsters second, because Dr. Russell does not really pay attention to Madison when she becomes too fascinated with the Titans.       

I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Know that there are some curse words and some scenes with strong content unsuitable for little children. It opens nationwide in theaters May 31, 2019.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures