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Alita is a creation from an age of despair. Found by the mysterious Dr. Ido while trolling for cyborg parts, Alita becomes a lethal, dangerous being. She cannot remember who she is, or where she came from. But to Dr. Ido, the truth is all too clear. She is the one being who can break the cycle of death and destruction left behind from Tiphares. But to accomplish her true purpose, she must fight and kill. And that is where Alita’s true significance comes to bear. She is an angel from heaven. She is an angel of death. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rohan F. comments, “Alita Battle Angel is an epic, action-packed film. It has incredible CGI and accomplishes lots of world-building. It is based on the Manga series Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro.” Ivey H. adds, “This story empowers us young ladies.  She is brave, strong through rough times and proves people wrong. I really felt the emotions and turmoil of this coming of age tale of Alita.” Siaki S. sums it up with, “I really like this film because, even though Alita is a cyborg, that doesn’t stop from her from doing everything she can to make her discover who she actually is. Although she is a machine, she is still treated as if she is a human being.” See their full reviews below.

Alita: Battle Angel
Reviewed by Rohan F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Alita Battle Angel is an epic, action-packed film. It has incredible CGI and accomplishes lots of world-building. It is based on the Manga series Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro.

When Doctor Ido finds a living machine in the scrap yard, he takes it back and calls it Alita. When she wakes up she realizes all her memories have been lost. She finds herself in a crazy world in Pig City, beneath the last floating city.  She tries to restore her memory and makes some friends and even more enemies. While it’s an interesting story, I feel like it’s not the focus of the film. Instead, the focus appears to be the battle scenes, because there are lots of them. While being beautiful and entertaining, I feel many were unnecessary.

I really liked the fight scenes. The unique fighting style used by Alita makes them interesting to watch. The CGI is incredible. I almost forgot Alita is a CGI character because of all the facial detail.  The sport Motor Ball is unique and explained quite well. I found the ending left me wanting more. The character design in this film is wonderful. All the different androids are visually impressive. They are so unique. You can tell what they can do just by looking at them. The sets are also very well designed and stick to the theme. The floating city is very intriguing. I enjoyed how they explained little bits of it. However, this movie feels like a long setup for a sequel.

The moral of this film is to not stand by while people are being hurt – to speak up in the face of injustice. Unfortunately, although this message is spoken a few times, it isn’t communicated very well throughout the plot of the movie and seems a bit like an afterthought.

The music is great. I enjoyed it without being distracted by it. It varies in each scene but keeps to a coherent theme throughout the film.

My favorite scene is when Alita goes into the hunter-warrior bar and tries to recruit people. This scene is very entertaining to watch and is choreographed brilliantly. It also introduces a bunch of interesting hunter-warriors. They all have entirely different fighting styles which makes this scene interesting to watch. I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 11 through 16. It opens February 8, 2019 so look for it.

Alita: Battle Angel
By Ivey H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

This is an extraordinary animation film by James Cameron about a young girl who has forgotten her past and is trying to find herself.  This story empowers us young ladies.  She is brave, strong through rough times and proves people wrong. I really felt the emotions and turmoil of this coming of age tale of Alita. 

This story is set in the future, after terrible devastating world event. It is about two worlds, one above and one below. It is action packed with villains and heroes. Alita is found by a cyborg Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz) in a junkyard. He refurbishes her into a cyborg part-human and part-machine. The young Alita is trying to figure out her past. Meanwhile, she discovers her hidden abilities to transform into an elite fighter, athlete and warrior. She never looses heart, as she becomes a young woman and haves to deal with several conflicts. 

The film is directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by James Cameron, a creative genius who is known for many other films such as Titanic and Avatar. The lead character, Alita is played by Rosa Salazar. Rosa truly takes you through the emotions of her character.  Alita’s human sidekick, Hugo, is played by Keean Johnson. He is her teenage first love.  The villains are played by Mahershala Ali and Jennifer Connelley. Ed Norton makes a cameo appearance at the end which makes me believe there will be a part two and we will see more of him.

The CGI and F/X in this film are so vivid and realistic. It is hard to tell animation from reality.  The cyborgs’ transformer bodies are so creative and the costumes really bring light to the characters. The music, lighting and scenes are enhanced by the 3D movie theater experience.

My favorite part is when Alita gets a new robotic body and is better than ever. It suits her. I also like when she decides to start a fighting league of her own. She signs up to be a bounty hunter,  then tries to rally other bounty hunters. They do not take her seriously, but they will soon learn she is a force to be reckoned with. The bounty hunter Zapan (Ed Skrein) and the bounty hunter that loves dogs are pretty cool characters.

The message in the film seems to never give up, even when the odds are against you. Never let anyone tell you who you are or who you should become. I really relate to the story line and it made me to want to be the best that I can.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18 due to adult language and violence content. Adults will also enjoy this film. This film opens in theaters February 14, 2019. Look for it.

Alita: Battle Angel
By Siaki Sii, KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, Age 15

I really like this film because, even though Alita is a cyborg, that doesn’t stop from her from doing everything she can to make her discover who she actually is. Although she is a machine, she is still treated as if she is a human being.

This amazing film is directed by Robert Rodriguez who also shoots, produces and scores many of his films in Mexico, as well as his home state, Texas. Rodriguez directed the 1992 action film El Mariachi, which was a huge commercial success.  The story line here follows the one and only Alita, who is found in the scrap yard and taken to a nearby clinic by Dr. Ido who repairs all cyborg visitors. As Alita awakes, she has no memory of what happened, where she is or even who she truly is. As she explores the world little by little, she has minor memory recall about who she really is.

The more Alita experiences her present life, she meets a lot of people who are just like her. Dr. Ido tries his best to keep her safe from any bad things coming into her life.

The main characters in the film are played by a veritable who’s who of talent: Alita is played by Rosa Salazar (Parenthood, American Horror Story). In Rosa’s portrayal of Alita, we see that she is more than just a machine; she is also a warrior. Hugo is played by Keean Johnson (Heritage Falls), who really portrays Hugo as being a really cool and trustworthy guy. Dr. Dyson Ido is played by Christoph Waltz (Spectre). Waltz really surprised me in this role which suits him well. Plus, even though he is older, he still has great moves. Chiren is played by Jennifer Connelly (Only the Brave, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Winter’s Tale). Connelly shows us what an interesting character Chiren is and contributes to the idea of how she doesn’t look bad, but actually is.  Mahershala Ali plays Vector. This character is quite different in how he communicates with the headmaster of Iron City, which is why people obey him. Ed Skrein plays Zapan as very intimidating, because of how he roams the streets as a big tough guy. You do not want to mess with him.

The sets are pretty cool. I like the set at the local plaza where Alita first learns to play the game motor ball. I also really love the music in this film because, depending on the scene, the music changes within it and drives the story line alone. The costumes are quite amazing and different. They aren’t like the usual bad guy costumes. They are enhanced with CGI, which makes them quite tremendous.

My favorite part of the film is when Dr. Ido comes to find Alita in a bar, where she is challenging hunter-warriors to fight with her if they lose. In between all of the chaos, Dr. Ido shouts “Stop it, Stop it right now!” Yet, no one listens to him until he says, “Or no one gets free repairs!” In less than a second, everyone releases each other from the chaos.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, as well as adults. I think that everyone watching this will enjoy all the good reaction parts as well as jump scares. It opens in theaters February 14, 2019 so look for it.

The citizens of Bricksburg face a dangerous new threat when LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. The battle to defeat the enemy and restore harmony to the LEGO universe takes Emmet, Lucy, Batman and the rest of their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds that test their courage and creativity. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Arjun N. comments, “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is a superb follow-up to the original film that lives up to the years’ worth of hype surrounding it.  Vibrant voice talent, including new standouts, and quippy writing make for a cartoon genre-defying blast.” Sahiba K. adds, “With all its clichés, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is as original as its predecessor! An intricately, well thought out plot steals the show along with jokes that hit my funny bone.” Zoe C. wraps it up with, “I loved that everything is still awesome! It’s dynamic, colorful and funny. While watching this film I saw how cool all the little LEGO figures look, because the animation is so well done that they look like they’re really moving and the amount of detail this film is incredible.” See their full reviews below.

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
By Arjun N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is a superb follow-up to the original film that lives up to the years’ worth of hype surrounding it.  Vibrant voice talent, including new standouts, and quippy writing make for a cartoon genre-defying blast. Any fans of the LEGO franchise must check this out.

The movie follows five years since “everything was awesome,” as the citizens of Bricksburg suffered irreparable damage from the forces of LEGO DUPLO invaders. Bricksburg descended into Apocolaypseburg, where the citizens brood. Luckily, Emmet (Chris Pratt) always retains hope, even when General Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz) captures many of his friends. This takes Emmet on a journey across multiple unexplored worlds, including a central DUPLO musical land, as the fate of the LEGO galaxy relies upon him.

The ensemble cast not only features one role from Chris Pratt as, of course Emmet, but also as Rex Dangervest. He continues to shine as Emmet, with the reluctant hero taken to deeper territories as his hope to regain his friends is tested. Rex Dangervest shines and is my favorite character, as he remains a charming presence and even mirrors many of Pratt’s roles in Hollywood. His relevance to the plot also provides for some mind-bending revelations. Elizabeth Banks, as Lucy/Wyldstyle, continues in her heartfelt buddy dynamic with Emmet, as she even wants him to do something more intimidating. This proves for an interesting drive in his quest to find Lucy. New additions from Stephanie Beatriz and Tiffany Haddish are welcome ones, with their unique DUPLO builds taking the spotlight. In particular, Tiffany Haddish as Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi, shines with her malicious intent and deceitful musical numbers. Will Arnett, Allison Brie and Charlie Day return from the previous movie and continue their signature work, with all even having a moment to shine amid this gigantic cast.

Mike Mitchell spectacularly directs the movie with a great mastery of unconventional animation found within, that pans out beautifully. Also, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller return with a script that might even be funnier and more meta than the original. My favorite scene is the musical number between Batman and Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi that is just a true showcase of this series’ unique sense of meta-commentary and humor. My problems with the movie do stem from the real world scenes. Even though the dynamics between siblings Finn (Jadon Sand) and Bianca (Brooklynn Prince) is a very touching and even humorous one, it just doesn’t lead to much and feels tacked on, with the time gap seeming like something of an afterthought.

The message of this film is that everything will not always be awesome, but in times like those, we must always let people in and help others as much as we can. I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18. The movie releases in theaters on February 8, 2019, so check it out.

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
By Sahiba K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

With all its clichés, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is as original as its predecessor, The LEGO Movie! An intricately, well thought out plot steals the show along with jokes that hit my funny bone. The two types of animation, stop motion and CGI, are used at appropriate times, connecting the LEGO world and our world to merge reality with imagination.

Starting right where The LEGO Movie ended, the story follows Emmet (Chris Pratt) and his best friend, Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) who are now living in a post-apocalyptic world. When Lucy and his other friends, Batman (Will Arnett), Unikitty (Alison Brie), MetalBeard (Nick Offerman) and Benny (Charlie Day) are kidnapped by General Mayhem, Emmet must embark on a dangerous quest to save them and unravel an evil plot.

Chris Pratt voices two characters, Emmet and Rex, who are disparate characters. Emmet is innocent and kind while Rex is more hardened and a typical action hero. It is evident that Chris Pratt voices Rex because of Chris Pratt’s experience in the role of the action hero, but the way that he is able to contrast that with the sweetness of Emmet is commendable. Tiffany Haddish has an abundance of personality in her voice that is necessary for her character, Queen Watevra Wa’nabi. The uniqueness of her voice is key in helping understand who she is. Her character has an ability to change shape, preventing us from viewing who she really is, so her voice tells us the most about her personality. 

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is surprisingly a bit of a musical, with original songs. Ironically, my favorite song is actually in the end credits, although it is hard to pick a favorite. Each songs’ lyrics are comedic and manage to have very catchy beats. By the time I finished watching the film, “The Catchy Song” was stuck in my head all day, but I honestly did not mind. It might even be my favorite soundtrack from a movie.

The message of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is to never change who you are. I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, because the jokes are suited for all ages and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to check out The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part when it opens in theaters on February 8, 2019.

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
By Zoe C. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 

The LEGO Movie: The Second Part is fascinating and I loved that everything is still awesome! It’s dynamic, colorful and funny. While watching this film I saw how cool all the little LEGO figures look, because the animation is so well done that they look like they’re really moving and the amount of detail this film is incredible. 

This movie picks up where the first LEGO Movie ends and adds new exciting scenes. This film is about our hero Emmet (Chris Pratt) and his friend Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) battling in outer space. The Duplox LEGO blocks attack the regular LEGO world, specifically the citizens of Bricksburgh. Everyone tells Emmet he should grow up, because he thinks everything is always awesome and LEGOS are facing a terrible menace. We meet a new character named General Mayhem (Stephany Beatriz) whose identity is unknown and whose voice is very intriguing. She takes all of Emmet’s friends, including superhero Batman (Will Arnett) faraway for a strange ceremony. In this journey, they travel into galaxies and planets and they are part of several music episodes. While Emmet is sometimes insecure and Lucy is battle ready, they are forced into parallel adventures that lead them into a re-discovery of empathy and friendship.

I love how the movie uses all kinds of LEGO brands – LEGO Friends, regular and Duplox. There are many twists which make the movie a lot more interesting. At one point, you think the movie is over, but it’s really not. There are lots of new, fun characters and the jokes appeal to both kids and grown-ups. I also love that you can never really guess what is going to happen next, because there is always a twist. All the characters have very distinctive personalities. The work of the voice actors is fantastic, as they are in the first one. And, there are a lot of references to classic films.

In this film, human participation seems even bigger than in the first one. I like those scenes, because it makes it more evident that the story is told from the LEGO’s perspective. The rhythm is great and it is funny and touching at the same time. It’s awesome how the producers have created a world made of little, and not so little bricks, that is so engaging for all audiences.

Another thing I love about this film is how they took songs from the original movie and made them completely different. And, you don’t need to see the first movie to understand this one. This film proves that sequels can be awesome! 

The message of this film is that we don’t always need to grow up. Being mature does not mean that we lose our kindness, sweetness or imagination. I give this film 5 of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12 and adults as well. The Lego Movie: The Second Part opens February 8, 2019 and I totally recommend it! Be sure to watch our YouTube Channel for my videotaped review of this one.

Gloria finds a power she never knew she had when she is drawn into a dangerous world of cross-border crime. Surviving will require all of her cunning, inventiveness, and strength. Based on the Spanish-language film. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Lexi G. comments, “I definitely had some mixed feelings, but overall I enjoyed the story and found it fun and interesting. If you enjoy being misled through twists and turns, never knowing where the next scene will take you AND you like being scared along the way, you’ll love Miss Bala!” See her full review below.

Miss Bala
By Lexi G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

Miss Bala is quite a movie! From the friendship that led to a whirlwind of violence and manipulation, to the caring of others, that is the reason behind the storyline. Miss Bala has it all. While watching this film, I definitely had some mixed feelings, but overall I enjoyed the story and found it fun and interesting. If you enjoy being misled through twists and turns, never knowing where the next scene will take you AND you like being scared along the way, you’ll love Miss Bala! If you don’t like being scared or a fast-paced, violent movie, you may want to stay away.  

In this action-packed film, a young woman, Gloria (Gina Rodriguez), returns to her birthplace Tijuana, to visit a close friend. Little does she know that going to enjoy a fun night out would lead her down a path of constant trouble. Gloria gets pulled into a literal turf war between the gang La Estrellas and the Chief of Police (Damian Alcazar) when she witnesses a shooting where her friend also disappears. Luckily, Gloria survives the shooting, but in an effort to locate and rescue her friend, she experiences a number of mishaps with the gang, the DEA, the Police Chief and more.  Unbeknownst to Gloria, all of these men are using and manipulating her to get what they need. When all she needs is to find her best friend Suzu (Christina Rodio). Does she rescue her friend?  Does she escape the gang’s awful manipulations?  I guess you’ll have to watch it to find out!

There are so many elements of this movie that make it awesome and entertaining! The funny comments, realistic music, beautiful sets and locations, and super cool special effects. Despite this being a live-action film with quite a bit of violence, there are actually some really funny parts and comments, too.  Plus, with the help of the music and the costumes, the story flows and makes sense. What I liked and appreciated the most was how perfectly the music changes and is paired to match the feelings of every scene!

The deeper message that this film displays is that we have to be careful with who we put our trust into. In Miss Bala, Gloria puts her trust into the gang and they end up doing things that are not okay and using her. Then, she trusts the DEA and just wait until you see how they treat her. These are not the kind of people we want to trust. Keep in mind that this is a pretty violent movie, even though it’s rated PG-13, it has lots of blood, guns and more scary stuff. Also, look out for some partial nudity and profanity. I definitely would never bring anyone under the age of 13 to this movie!

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. I’m not giving it 5 stars because I am not a big fan of scary and violent movies, so it was unsettling, for me.  I can see, however, that others would really love the action-packed sequences.  I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 and adults. That said, I wouldn’t even bring a sensitive 13 or 15-year-old who scares easily. This film opens February 1, 2019 all over the USA. If you like action, drama and thrillers, check it out. You’ll enjoy it!!!

Photos © Columbia Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Adventure and learning await in these heart-warming tales based on the award-winning book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. Join Llama Llama, Nelly Gnu, Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Sheep and Gilroy Goat as they explore their safe, friendly hometown and make childhood memories. On this DVD, watch Llama Llama at his first sleepover with friends! Learn how to share on a play date with Nelly Gnu! Discover what makes Llama Llama’s red pajamas so lucky and so much more! Learn and play with Llama Llama and pals! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ava L. comments, “Wow, this series is so adorable and imaginative because the characters are so curious and always find a new adventure! Llama himself is very, very curious.” Milika L. adds, “based on the book by Anna Dewdney is cute, relatable and playful. You get to meet llama llama’s adorable friends such as the adventurous Nelly Ngu, the fashionable Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Genius sheep and the Bully who becomes a friend of Gilroy the Goat. I love how these friends become closer through service, sleepovers and playdates!” Nathalia J. comments, “This kid- friendly, adventurous, funny and teachable series, created by Anna Dewdney, will have you laughing and giggling throughout most of the episodes. It is  intriguing, attractive, hysterical and mirthful.” Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror adds, “I like that there are different types of stories and not all based on the same theme. The characters are unique because – well, how many cartoons feature llamas? I especially like Mama Llama because she is easy to relate to and is a good mom character.” See their full reviews below.

Llama Llama Red Pajama
By Ava L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

Wow, this series is so adorable and imaginative because the characters are so curious and always find a new adventure! Llama himself is very, very curious.

The series is about Llama, his mama (Mama Llama) and one of Llama’s best friends, his favorite stuffed animal Fuzzy! In each episode, the characters face a problem and always seem to find a way to get around them! Llama loves his friends and cares about them a lot. Llama and his friends go through almost everything together. Llama and his friends are inseparable!

I like the way Noelle Wright wrote this series! It has a good plot, a very curious Llama which kids love and finds a way to put humor into the story. I also really like the intro music. It gets me in the mood! My favorite part of each episode is when Llama finds a problem because it gets me more into the story or scene.

This series is perfect for kids and has no bad actions or bad language. The message this show is trying to teach is that whenever there is a problem, you can get past it. Also, it reminds you that you can do anything if you put your mind to it!

I give this 4 out of 5 stars, because I like the lesson they are teaching. I wish there had more challenges for Llama and his friends though. I recommend this series for kids ages 2 to 18. It is available on DVD January 29, 2019, so look for it!

Llama Llama Red Pajama
By Milika Lomu, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Llama Llama Red Pajama, based on the book by Anna Dewdney is cute, relatable and playful. You get to meet llama llama’s adorable friends such as the adventurous Nelly Ngu, the fashionable Luna Giraffe, Euclid the Genius sheep and the Bully who becomes a friend of Gilroy the Goat. I love how these friends become closer through service, sleepovers and playdates!

In the episode “Noisy Neighbor,” Llama Llama and his friends take up community service where they have to clean up the yard of a scary neighbor. They are interrupted several times by the neighbor and can’t finish their work. Eventually, they figure out who the scary neighbor really is. To find out who the neighbor is you’ve got to watch this DVD.

I have so many favorite parts, but if i had to pick one, it would be from the episode “Time to Share.” Nelly Ngu accidentally rips off Llama Llama’s favorite teddy bear’s arm. Mama Llama saves the day by sewing the arm back on and their friendship is saved. In that moment, they realize that sharing is really caring. Luna the Giraffe is my favorite character. Besides the fact that she’s so fashionable, she’s also silly and crafty. In the episode “Lucky Pajama,” Luna helps Llama Llama spread the luck with their friends. She does this by making accessories out of the red lucky pajamas. The music is lighthearted and made me feel like I wanted to be apart of their town. Llama Llama lives in a little peaceful town where he bike rides almost everywhere with Mama Llama. In this little town everyone knows each other.

There are many messages that I took away from this, but the most important is to be kind, practice patience and realize that your actions can effect others in a positive and negative way.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. This DVD is available January 29, 2019 so look for it.

Llama Llama Red Pajama
By Nathalia J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

Are you ready to join the adventurous characters Llama Llama, Luna Giraffe, Nelly Gnu, Euclid the sheep, Gilroy Goat, Mama Llama and more? This kid- friendly, adventurous, funny and teachable series, created by Anna Dewdney, will have you laughing and giggling throughout most of the episodes. It is  intriguing, attractive, hysterical and mirthful.

Adventure and learning awaits in these heart-warming tales based on the award-winning book series. The stories follows Llama Llama and his five friends as they explore their friendly hometown and make childhood memories. They face different problems, but always find a way to get around them. You get to see Llama Llama’s get-go sleep-over with three of his friends. You also get to watch Llama Llama as he learns to share at his play-date with Nelly Gnu, which involve his new car his grandparents give him.  

My favorite part is when Llama Llama learns how to be separated from his adorable bear named Fuzzy Llama, who is his best friend and who he can’t sleep without. I love this part because it’s unquestionably relatable. Fun Fact: I also have my very own Fuzzy Llama, who I can’t bear being separated from. When I’m away from home, it’s my bear CJ and my blanket Cozy.

My favorite character is Mama Llama, because she is such a kind, peaceful and loving mother and definitely proves that throughout the series. This DVD’s message teaches you valuable life experiences. It is fantastic for kids and has no bad actions or bad language. 

I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 through 10. It is available January 29, 2019. So, look for it!  

Llama Llama red pajama
Denise Bloomfield

I found this DVD quite appealing. I like Llama and the other characters, especially Mama Llama. As a mom, even though my son is now a teenager, the first episode on the DVD brought back memories about a young child not wanting to go to bed. I also like the catchy rhyming. It’s a fun series of shows. There are eight different episodes on the DVD featuring Llama Llama and his mama and friends. All are engaging and have different storylines and are appropriate for young children and some may even teach children how to share.

I like the story lines because they are fun to watch. They are engaging with likable characters and perfect for preschoolers. The shows are all animated with bright colors and different scenes. I like that there are different types of stories and not all based on the same theme. The characters are unique because – well, how many cartoons feature llamas? I especially like Mama Llama because she is easy to relate to and is a good mom character. The costumes fit with the characters. Most of the scenes take place where in Llama and Mama’s neighborhood and in their house. They may not be memorable per se, but they fit the story lines. The music sticks out, especially the theme song which is catchy. I can imagine young children singing along.

There is a message to the shows about being kind to others and learning how to share and be a friend. Young children will learn things such as being a friend and how to share. I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5 years old. It is available on DVD now from NCircle Entertainment so look for it.

Enjoy the first volume of the third season of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! The award-winning television show follows the adventures of 6-year-old best friends, Sally and Nick, as they’re whisked off on amazing voyages of scientific discovery with the Cat in the Hat. Thanks to the Thinga-ma-jigger and our friends, exploring has never been more exciting! In this volume set, kids will learn how accidents and mistakes can lead to discovery, how the shape of an object impacts the way it bounces, and how changing the direction of a force can make heavier things easier to move. But the discoveries don’t end there! We learn how mirrors reflect and bounce images, how to change the volume and pitch of a sound, and much, much more! So let’s go, go, go, go on an adventure – we’re flying with The Cat in the Hat today! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic SaniyaRain F. comments, “The Cat in the Hat is superb! I love the Cat in the Hat because he makes me laugh with his made up words and his corny jokes.” Alejandra G. adds, “This series is very enjoyable for kids to watch since the plots are well prepared in a way that kids can both understand and relate to.” KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jordan M. adds, “I like how this show talks about realistic concepts, but it’s done in a creative way that still ties in the magic of Dr. Seuss. The show engages kids with scientific concepts and encourages them to begin observing their surroundings.” KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Kimberly M. wraps it up with, “The Cat in the Hat is voiced by well-known comedian Martin Short. The segments are short enough to hold the attention of the target age group. Children will most likely want to see more than one story at a time. Thus, they can absorb science information in an exciting way.” See their full reviews below.

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That! Season 3, Volume 1
By SaniyaRain Fowler, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The second episode is called “Play Ball.” It is a funny story about Sally getting a new ball and a boy loses it when he throws it up and it gets caught in the tree branches. Cat then takes them to a really cool ball palace with lots and lots of cool balls. They try to find the right bouncy ball for Sally. Cat gives her a tool that helps her look closely to see if the balls bounce. They finally find a ball she likes. Sometimes, things can be replaced and sometimes they can’t. One thing is for sure, we will always lose stuff, even people. We have friends and sometimes they might lose our belongings and we get mad. Sometimes friends do stuff to hurt our feelings. We have to decide if the object is more important than our friend or is our friend more important. Losing anything is not fun, but it happens.

The third episode is “Gravity Drop.” This is my second favorite episode. It is about a boy getting his plane stuck in a tree. They go to a valley that allows you to have more or less gravity. It looks fun because they are floating through the air when there is less gravity. It reminds me of going on a rollercoaster and going up into the air and then getting dropped back down. This is like a learning video because it teaches the viewer about gravity.

The last episode, “Design Time” is my favorite of all. It is my favorite because Sally makes a vase for her mom and the boy makes a robot for his dad. Sally has trouble making the vase so Cat takes them to blueprintia where they learn how to create blueprints of what they want to make. They learn that they must have a plan in order to do something correctly. That is like life, too. You have to have a plan. You have to think before you do something or make something. If you want things to go right, plan it first. I give this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. This is available on DVD now so, be sure to look for it. Reviewed by SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Season 3, Volume 1
By Alejandra Garcia, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Cat in the Hat is superb! I love the Cat in the Hat because he makes me laugh with his made up words and his corny jokes. The first episode that I watched was about Sarah the Inventor. This series has been around since 2010, but every time I watch it, I see something new. I think it is for everyone. The family can learn lots of lessons from each show. Sarah is an inventor like me. I create masterpieces on canvas, but Sarah invented the paint fall. When Sally hits the paint fall, all the colors get mixed up and start forming a color that one of the characters needs for his mountain. This episode is called “Accidents Happen if You’re Lucky.” As we get older, we learn that sometimes the things we plan don’t go the way we want them to, but can still have a good outcome. Different doesn’t always mean better and that is something we should understand about people. All people do not look alike, but we are all important in our own ways.

To start off, I want to comment on how The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Season 3, Volume 1 and the rest of this series impacts children in a positive way due to the vocabulary and other lessons taught in each episode. This series is very enjoyable for kids to watch since the plots are well prepared in a way that kids can both understand and relate to. I didn’t follow The Cat in the Hat when I was younger, but I feel it is very attracted to its target audience. The way the show is made, with all the colorful objects and the plots that draw you in is quite interesting.

The episodes on this DVD contain different stories and plots, but the format and the meaning are consistent. All the adventures have different plots and all the characters are inquisitive and enthusiastic about learning. This motivates kids’ curiosity about the natural world and encourages them to follow the positive examples.

My favorite scene is at the end of when episode when The Cat in the Hat, his cat cousins, Nick, Sally, Fish and all his family gather together for a great musical finale where they are celebrated as true adventurers. I like this scene because it is a very creative with great songs and how the it is organized. It definitely gets children’s attention in every way possible.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Season 3, Volume 1
By Jordan Millar, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

These imaginative episodes from the popular television series are incredibly animated and provide a unique take on Dr. Seuss’s classic storybook characters. In fact, when I was younger, I used to watch this show on a regular basis, so it is nice to bring back that sense of nostalgia.

Episodes follow the miraculous adventures of young friends Sally and Nick. Every day, they join the whimsical Cat in the Hat, who guides them on magical, scientific explorations. Fans of Dr. Seuss will also recognize their favorite characters like Fish, Thing One and Thing Two. In this volume, kids are be able to learn many different things, such as how boats are able to float, how bridges are built and how certain accidents can lead to new discoveries.

In each episode, Sally, Nick and The Cat in the Hat test things out and run different experiments to draw conclusions. It is very interactive with characters always asking questions that help viewers think. At the end of each episode, they also provide experiments that kids can do at home. Visually the series is just like the places in Dr. Seuss’s original books. I like the elaborate and artistic scenery, the quirky dialogue and fun songs.

I like how this show talks about realistic concepts, but it’s done in a creative way that still ties in the magic of Dr. Seuss. The show engages kids with scientific concepts and encourages them to begin observing their surroundings. Although there is no primary lesson, there are multiple things you can learn by watching every episode!

I rate this production 4 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7, but it is great for the entire family. You can find it on DVD now so look for it. 

The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That: Season 3, Volume 1
By Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

In this DVD, the Cat in the Hat, along with 6-year-old best friends Sally and Nick, Thing #1 and Thing #2 and Fish go on numerous adventures dealing with scientific discoveries. The separate stories include dealing with the phenomenon of shadows and how they are made, why a slide loses friction, why accidents can be a positive thing and why some magnets attract and others do the exact opposite. The stories are approximately 15 minutes each. The set consists of two discs and is approximately 220 minutes long.

The important message that this show teaches is in encouraging kids’ curiosity about the natural world. The series answers questions about natural science in a kid-friendly way. They learn about the seasons, animal behavior, habitats and more – learning to appreciate the wonder of exploration and discovery. The day and night concept, animals, plants, planets, gravity and a lot more are taught in fun ways and make kids catch it fast. I recommend this for ages 5 to 8 and give it 4 out of 5 stars.  

The DVD consists of 20 episodes plus a bonus section with five snippets around two to three minutes each, all of which reinforce the scientific facts in the stories. Also available is a Spanish language sub-title option. The Cat in the Hat is voiced by well-known comedian Martin Short.

The segments are short enough to hold the attention of the target age group. Children will most likely want to see more than one story at a time. Thus, they can absorb science information in an exciting way. I like the separate adventures that deal with science facts. I could relate to the story about the children’s slide because I recall being at a popular amusement park as a child, where one of the popular attractions was a gigantic slide. When I was younger, I was able to slide down gracefully. Years later, as a pre-teen, I was not able to slide down the slide without becoming stuck at some point because of the friction issues. This was probably because of the bumpiness in the aging attraction. After many complaints, it was dismantled. Another story segment I found interesting was the opposites magnets attracting. I enjoyed when they were streaming down the river in red and blue boats and have to match the color of the boat with the same color of the oncoming rock in order to keep from crashing into it.

I recommend this DVD for ages 5 to 9 and give it a 5 out of 5 stars. It is available on DVD now, so check it out!