KIDS FIRST! News

Raising Dion is an American superhero science fiction web television series that premiered October 4, 2019 on Netflix. It is based on the 2015 comic book and short film of the same name by Dennis Liu. Raising Dion follows the story of a woman who raises her son Dion after the death of her husband Mark. The normal dramas of raising a son as a single mom are amplified when Dion starts to manifest several magical, superhero-like abilities. Nicole must now keep her son’s gifts secret with the help of Mark’s best friend Pat, and protect Dion from antagonists out to exploit him while figuring out the origin of his abilities. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe C. comments, “The series is a mix of genres: drama, fantasy and sci-fi. Through the evolution of the series or each “issue” (what each episode is called), audiences learn more about Dion’s father and where his powers come from. The first episodes are more family-oriented, but the sci-fi elements and supernatural aspects increase toward the later episodes in the first season. Getting close to the end of season one is when it becomes really exciting.” See her full review below.

Raising Dion
By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

I really enjoyed Raising Dion because there are lots of themes about finding your place and bullying that are well represented. The story tries to deal with so many different elements that it loses focus, especially during the first episodes. Still, I’m curious to see what will happen in the second season, and that is a good thing because I ended up wanting to see more. 

Netflix delivers a TV series with a little bit of everything for the whole family: Raising Dion. As its name states, it’s about family. This is a story of a single mom, Nicole (Alisha Wainwright) raising her son Dion (Ja’shia Young) with superhero-like powers.  For Nicole, to be the mom of a kid with powers is a struggle, more than being just fun.  The series centers on Dion’s journey of adapting to a normal life. The series is produced by actor Michael B. Jordan who plays Marc, Dion’s father, a scientist who passed away tragically during a storm. Pat, Marc’s best friend, becomes a best friend for Nicole and Dion’s mentor. 

The series is a mix of genres: drama, fantasy and sci-fi. Through the evolution of the series or each “issue” (what each episode is called), audiences learn more about Dion’s father and where his powers come from. The first episodes are more family-oriented, but the sci-fi elements and supernatural aspects increase toward the later episodes in the first season. Getting close to the end of season one is when it becomes really exciting.

The series has a very realistic look, and the special effects are well done. I love the work of the actors:  their performances are natural. The kids’ acting is quite well done. Ja’shia Young makes Dion a very believable superhero. He is a good son and a good student and that will be very relatable for so many kids. Sammi Haney plays Esperanza, Dion’s best friend. She is smart and sweet, and she doesn’t feel “less than” because she in a wheelchair. In real life and in character Sammi has brittle bone disease, and supports awareness, acceptance and love for people with disabilities. Kudos to the creators of the show for including actors with disabilities.

Raising Dion is very good for young audiences. The message of the series is to find the powers within yourself, learn how to use them wisely and embrace them.

I rate Raising Dion 4 of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 10 to 18 and adults as well.  You can find it on Netflix.

The new series The Bravest Knight is breaking boundaries, featuring a household with two dads (Sir Cedric and Prince Andrew), making it one of the first children’s television series with an openly gay main character. Following the inspiring and perseverant former pumpkin farmer, Sir Cedric, now grown and married to the prince of his dreams, “The Bravest Knight” recounts personal tales of his journey. Sir Cedric shares his story with his adopted 10-year-old daughter Nia, on how he transformed from day-time farmer to full-fledged knight. Nia, who is training to become a brave knight herself, learns important values such as honor, justice and compassion; proving that knighthood is much more than slaying dragons. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calista B.  comments, “This show is incredibly charming, even though there are currently only five episodes available. It’s super cute and really fun.” Sahiba K. adds, “The Bravest Knight, directed by Shabnam Rezaei, is a perfect opportunity for younger audiences to learn important life lessons in adventurous ways! The fairytale setting, featuring knights and trolls, creates a fun and imaginative world for children to become immersed in. Each episode contains multiple messages that are explained as a short lesson at the end.” Will C. wraps it with, “The message of this series is summed up in the theme song: “Be the real you, be the true you, it’s the bravest thing you can do.” There are some positive messages about teamwork, caring for others and avoiding stereotypes.” See their full reviews below.

The Bravest Knight
By Calista B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

This show is incredibly charming, even though there are currently only five episodes available. It’s super cute and really fun.

The show follows a knight named Sir Cedric, who is retelling the story of how he became a knight to his daughter Nia, who wants to be a knight as well. The episodes focus on Cedric teaching Nia important morals and lessons about being a knight. While the main focus of the show seems to be teaching lessons, there is also an overarching story based on how Cedric became a knight.

The animation in this series is very simplistic, but very adorable. The style gives me the vibe of a children’s book. Which fits the fairy tale theme and overall tone. There really isn’t much else I have to say about the animation other than I really enjoy it.

Now arguably the most notable aspect of this show so far is the representation. On the surface it seems like a simple enough kids show, however I was excited to learn about the amazing diversity in the cast. I mentioned that Cedric has a daughter. Well it turns out that Cedric is married to another man and Nia is his adopted daughter. Not only that but Cedric’s husband Prince Andrew and their daughter are both people of color. While Andrew and Nia are the major examples of representation, there does appear to be themes of discrimination with the troll characters. Cedric’s companion on his quest is a troll named Grunt and there are two instances where other characters assume the worst or are rude to Grunt because he’s a troll. I think the theme of discrimination is presented really well and in a subtle way. I’m a firm believer that children are able to handle complicated subjects in media, so I always get kind of happy when I see media treating kids as smarter than most people give them credit for.

However, the representation is not all there is to this show. After all, this show is not mainly about the diversity. Although I must say, I think the characters so far are really fun and likeable. Nia is adorable and fun while Prince Andrew, who kind of plays the role of the straight man to balance out Nia and Cedric rounds out the central trio very nicely. Cedric is a bit of a basic protagonist but it’s clear he’ll develop as the series goes on, which is always a good sign.

I give this show 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. And episodes are currently premiering on Hulu.

The Bravest Knight
By Sahiba D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17

The Bravest Knight, directed by Shabnam Rezaei, is a perfect opportunity for younger audiences to learn important life lessons in adventurous ways! The fairy tale setting, featuring knights and trolls, creates a fun and imaginative world for children to become immersed in. Each episode contains multiple messages that are explained as a short lesson at the end.

The story follows Nia (Storm Reid), a “not-yet-knight,” who strives to learn the skills to become a real knight. Her father, Sir Cedric (T. R. Knight) teaches her lessons that are necessary to achieve knighthood. Through his tutelage, Cedric tells Nia stories of his own childhood with his best friend Grunt (Chance Hurstfield). These stories often follow tales of when Sir Cedric was a “not-yet-knight” and the adventures he faced.

The animation made me feel as if I was in a pop-up fairy tale book. In the beginning of each episode, trees or hills appear to move in such a way that the focus on Nia or their home becomes clear. The animation resembles the way that pop-up story books become clear when the page flips. This illusion continues throughout the episode as the characters are drawn simplistically. However, the background is more detailed with a wide variety of colors and ornamentation wherever Cedric and Nia’s adventures take them.

My favorite part is how there is an overarching story that continues throughout several episodes. In Cedric’s stories, young Cedric is determined to help Grunt find the troll who ousted Grunt from his bridge. Every episode contains a clue that brings them closer to achieving this goal. This form of storytelling intrigued me and made me want to watch the next episode. In contrast, there are elements of the screenplay that made me lose interest at times. Grunt and Nia have personalities that separate them from the other characters in the show. Cedric, the main character, lacks such a personality and he is less compelling to watch. Nevertheless, Grunt and Nia’s characters make up for this downside and it will not be noticed by younger audiences.

The messages of the series are about not giving up and that things are not always what they seem. I give The Bravest Knight 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8. Be sure to check out The Bravest Knight on Hulu when it launches June 21, 2019.

The Bravest Knight
By Will C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

The Bravest Knight is a sweet and fun animated series for younger kids. Each 12 minute episode is funny and entertaining and held my interest even though I’m a little older than the target audience.

The Bravest Knight is about Sir Cedric and Prince Andrew and their adopted daughter Nia. Nia really wants to be a knight like her dad, each episode has a story Sir Cedric tells her about when he was also a “not-yet knight.” Young Cedric has a troll friend named Grunt who accompanies him on his adventures. Together, they save people from a witch, enter a jousting tournament and escape a giant’s vault in the clouds.

My favorite part of this show is the character Grunt, the troll. He gets the best lines and got a few laughs out of me. The animation uses nice colors that will appeal to kids and the music really fits the style of the show. The voice actors, both young and old, are great at bringing their characters to life.

The message of this series is summed up in the theme song: “Be the real you, be the true you, it’s the bravest thing you can do.” There are some positive messages about teamwork, caring for others and avoiding stereotypes. There’s a bearded fairy named Lucy who replies that names belong to people, not genders, when Grunt the troll asks if he has a girl’s name.

I give this series 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. Adults probably won’t mind watching it with their kids if they ask them to. The Bravest Knight is available for streaming on Hulu starting June 21, 2019.