Quality Children's Entertainment Family Movie Reviews

Paddington in Peru * Beautifully Executed With Great Characters And Acting, Hilarious Timing, And A Heart-Warming Storyline

February 3rd, 2025

Full of Paddington’s signature blend of wit, charm, and laugh-out-loud humor, Paddington in Peru finds the beloved, marmalade-loving bear on an exciting, high-stakes adventure. When Paddington discovers his beloved Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the wilds of Peru to look for her, the only clue to her whereabouts a spot marked on an enigmatic map. Determined to solve the mystery, Paddington embarks on a thrilling quest through the rainforests of the Amazon to find his aunt…and may also uncover one of the world’s most legendary treasures.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “While sequels are often a letdown, Paddington in Peru is beautifully executed with great characters and acting, hilarious timing, and a heart-warming storyline – making it the best of the Paddington series to date!” Kyla C. adds, “This is an engaging, hilarious family-friendly film that easily lives up to its expectations. With relatable characters, colorful scenery, and a story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way, Paddington in Peru is a must-see for kids and families.” Tiana S. adds, “Paddington in Peru is full of action, adventure, and the sights of Peru. This film gives a sense of family, trust, and finding your tribe.” Ashleigh C. wraps it up with, “At its core, Paddington in Peru carries a powerful message about perseverance, kindness, and the importance of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we choose.” See their full reviews below.

Paddington in Peru
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Paddington in Peru is the third Paddington movie based on the classic children’s books written by Michael Bond. While sequels are often a letdown, Paddington in Peru is beautifully executed with great characters and acting, hilarious timing, and a heart-warming storyline – making it the best of the Paddington series to date!

Paddington in Peru is a story about Paddington going back to his homeland of Peru to see with his Aunt Lucy. Once he arrives, he finds out that she has disappeared. From there, Paddington and his adopted family, the Browns, go into the Amazonian jungle to save her. They encounter many interesting animals and people along the way.

Along with the Aunt Lucy adventure, this movie also shows us Paddington’s origin story – taking us back to when he was a cute baby bear who first finds Aunt Lucy. The animation used for the bears is so adorable and fun, especially when they mix it with the live action aspects. It blends in seamlessly and makes the movie fun for kids and adults. I enjoyed the various animation and filming effects, like early in the movie when Mrs. Brown makes a painting that comes to life to help tell the story of how the Brown family is changing as the kids become teenagers.

Paddington in Peru has some beautiful scenes of the Peruvian landscape and cool scenes in London that made me want to book trips to both places! Paddington in Peru has great characters who are expertly acted, including some new faces like Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and the Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) and favorites from the movies series Mrs. Brown (Emily Mortimer) and Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville). The amazing star power makes Paddington in Peru a surefire hit.

Oliva Coleman

The main themes of Paddington in Peru are to embrace who you are and that it’s okay to have many places you call home and many people you call family. This movie includes positive messages around the dangers of greed and the importance of teamwork and putting family first. Parents should note that this movie includes some scenes of peril for Paddington and his family and some mildly scary scenes in the forest.

I give Paddington in Peru 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Paddington in Peru releases in theaters on February 14, 2025.

Paddington in Peru
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the brand new Paddington in Peru! This is an engaging, hilarious family-friendly film that easily lives up to its expectations. With relatable characters, colorful scenery, and a story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way, Paddington in Peru is a must-see for kids and families.

This film picks up where the second one left off, with Paddington (Ben Whishaw) living with his adoptive family in London. However, an opportunity for adventure strikes when Paddington receives a letter saying that his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), from Peru, is missing him. The family decides to take a trip to visit, but are surprised to find Aunt Lucy gone when they arrive at her house. One thing leads to another, and Paddington is soon meeting many new characters whilst experiencing one of the wonders of the world firsthand, all in an attempt to find his aunt and reunite with her.

Antonio Banderas in PADDINGTON IN PERU.

First off, Paddington in Peru has a very engaging storyline. I constantly wondered what would happen next and was excited to discover answers to the many mysteries. There are many newly introduced characters that add even more mystery and curiosity. It’s unclear who could be working for the other side, which keeps intensity and suspense throughout the film. It’s very exciting to use details and clues to determine which characters are suspicious. Similar to Paddington’s first movies, this one has plenty of humor to keep up laughs and smiles in the midst of the adventure. The Brown family’s banter, random jokes and sarcasm add a comical side to the film, which captivated me even further. The characters are relatable and entertaining, making this movie an even more pleasurable experience. This aspect of authenticity allowed me to connect with the characters and care about what happens to them. Paddington in Peru has a beautiful appearance as a film.

Taking place primarily in the jungle of Peru, the camera shots are magnificent and add so much to the viewing experience. Paddington visits Machu Picchu, which is a stunning location. The combination of Paddington’s animation along with the live action actors and scenery is seamless. They appear to clearly be there together and living in the same world, making the film even funnier and more engaging.

The theme of Paddington in Peru is that putting family and those you care about should always come first. Paddington drops everything to help Aunt Lucy in a time of need, showing true dedication and loyalty for someone he cares about. The film also highlights the importance of kindness and having a home. Be aware that there is some mild violence, including use of a gun. There is also a frightening large spider that appears on screen briefly.

I give Paddington in Peru 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. You can view Paddington in Peru in theaters beginning February 14, 2025. Be sure to stay for the credits – there’s a fun surprise at the end!

Paddington in Peru
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Paddington in Peru  is a bear-y new and interesting film to the Paddington Franchise. It is full of action, adventure, and the sights of Peru. This film gives a sense of family, trust, and finding your tribe.

Paddington in Peru follows Paddington (Ben Whishaw) and the Browns on their journey to Peru. Paddington receives a letter that says Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the retired Bears’ home. So, he and the Browns travel to Peru trying to find her. After figuring out their travels, they go to El Dorado where they are faced with the gold-hungry Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) who is also looking for the rich city. It’s up to Paddington to reach El Dorado and save Aunt Lucy before anyone can stop him.

The main characters are Paddington, the Browns, Hunter Cabot, and Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman). I like all the references to the past two films such as, Paddington doing the hard stare or referencing the Prison scene of Paddington 2. This movie is certainly different from the other Paddington films. Besides the film taking place in Peru, they definitely made this more of a grown hero film for Paddington. They kind of changed Paddington’s character to where he is more mature and adventurous than usual. With that in mine, it is lacking in action and has mostly soft or filler moments. I like that we get to explore Peru and see where Paddington lived before going to London, but action movies need action. Still, this is a cute film that sheds new light on Paddington and builds his character. Plus, it answers some questions fans have been curious about since the first two movies.

The message of this movie is about family. Paddington is looking to find Aunt Lucy and more about the place where he grew up and came from. But along the journey with the Browns, Paddington looks back and realizes that, while Peru is part of his roots and who he is, the Browns are now his home and family.

I give Paddington in Peru 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Paddington in Peru in theaters on February 14, 2025.

Paddington in Peru
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 20

Paddington in Peru is a heartwarming and adventurous tale that delivers all the charm, humor, and warmth that fans of the franchise have come to love.

This delightful sequel takes audiences on an exciting journey filled with mystery, friendship, and a touch of magic, all wrapped in stunning visuals and engaging storytelling.

The story follows Paddington (Ben Whishaw) as he sets off on a thrilling adventure to the jungles of Peru after discovering that his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family by his side, Paddington embarks on a journey through the Amazon rainforest, uncovering hidden secrets and stumbling upon a legendary treasure along the way.

As the Paddington and his entourage navigate the lush landscapes and face unexpected challenges, Paddington’s signature kindness and optimism shine through. Ben Whishaw once again brings Paddington to life with his endearing voice performance, capturing the bear’s innocence and unwavering spirit. The Brown family, portrayed by Hugh Bonneville, Samuel Joslin, Emily Mortimer, and Madeleine Harris and the rest of the talented cast add warmth and humor to the story. The breathtaking cinematography showcases the vibrant and lush beauty of Peru, making the film visually captivating. The use of practical effects and CGI seamlessly blend to create a world that feels both whimsical and immersive. My favorite part of the film is Paddington’s heartfelt reunion with Aunt Lucy. The emotional depth in this moment is beautifully handled, reinforcing the film’s central themes of love and family. The adventure sequences, infused with humor and thrilling moments, kept me engaged, while the touching relationships make the story deeply resonant.

At its core, Paddington in Peru carries a powerful message about perseverance, kindness, and the importance of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we choose. The film encourages viewers to embrace curiosity and compassion, making it a positive and uplifting experience for all ages. There is no inappropriate language or concerning behavior, making it a perfect choice for young audiences.

I give Paddington in Peru 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, with adults sure to enjoy it as well. This film will be out in theaters on Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2025.

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Dog Man * All The Fun And Crazy Characters Of Dav Pilkey’s Comics Brought To Animated Life

January 31st, 2025

When a police officer and his faithful police dog get injured in the line of duty, a harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together — and Dog Man is born. As Dog Man learns to embrace his new identity, he must stop feline supervillain Petey the Cat from cloning himself and going on a crime spree.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Juliana S. comments, “Dog Man is such an amazing film! The movie provides messages about how sometimes, no matter how evil one is, all a person (or cat, dog, or fish) needs is a little bit of love. Dog Man has fun, comic-like animation and a musical score that always matches the scene.”  IvyJoy C. adds, “I really love the film Dog Man. Not that I’m surprised, I just knew I would. If you, like me, are a fan of the Captain Underpants and Cat Kid comic books, then this is definitely a film you will enjoy as much as I did. It has all the fun and crazy characters of Dav Pilkey’s comics brought to animated life.”  IvyJoy C. adds, “I really love the film Dog Man. Not that I’m surprised, I just knew I would. If you, like me, are a fan of the Captain Underpants and Cat Kid comic books, then this is definitely a film you will enjoy as much as I did. It has all the fun and crazy characters of Dav Pilkey’s comics brought to animated life.” See their full reviews and Chase L.’s interview with the creator and star below.

Dog Man
By Juliana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Dog Man is such an amazing film! The movie provides messages about how sometimes, no matter how evil one is, all a person (or cat, dog, or fish) needs is a little bit of love. Dog Man has fun, comic-like animation and a musical score that always matches the scene.

The storyline is about a highly ranked officer (Peter Hastings) and his dog, who have an unfortunate accident while trying to detain a very evil cat (Pete Davidson) and must be combined into one being. Newly formed Dog Man has to learn how to live a life meant for both humans and animals, while also trying to impress the police chief (Lil Rel Howery). As time goes on, Petey, the evil cat, creates a clone of itself, Lil Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon), who ends up playing a crucial part in showing how love is important, no matter who it’s for.

 

The animation in this film immediately stands out – it looks like a 3-D comic book, but moves. These images are created by an entire team of people, including Paul Phippen and Aymeric Arnaud, the lead DMP artists. What makes this animation so amazing is that it includes certain features that would normally be seen in print comic books such as a pencil-like stroke, or words coming out of a person’s mouth. These features truly strike the movie as an adaptation of an incredible comic book franchise. Of course, the animation is perfectly paired with the music, which is another thing that is noticeable to the audience.

(from left) Dog Man (Peter Hastings), Doctor (Rahnuma Panthaky), Nurse (Maggie Wheeler) and Officer Knight (Peter Hastings) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.

The orchestra, led by Jill Streater, is wonderful at conveying emotional scenes and leads the audience to feel deeply for the characters. The music was created by Tom Howe, and he nailed it. When a scene is sad, the orchestra is quiet and somber; when the characters are happy or excited, the music is upbeat and fast. These carefully thought out music choices make Dog Man all the more better.

The film’s message is that no matter how evil one can be, a little bit of love goes a long way. Dog Man is very successful in leading others to be more empathetic to those who might need extra care.

I give Dog Man 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. Dog Man can be found in theatres beginning January 31, 2025.

Dog Man
By IvyJoy C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I really love the film Dog Man. Not that I’m surprised, I just knew I would. If you, like me, are a fan of the Captain Underpants and Cat Kid comic books, then this is definitely a film you will enjoy as much as I did. It has all the fun and crazy characters of Dav Pilkey’s comics brought to animated life.

Dog Man starts with a police dog named Greg and his human partner, Officer Knight (Peter Hastings) who are dedicated to keeping their community safe. All is normal until an accident occurs where the two must go through a wacky surgery, which fuses them together to create the amazing Dog Man! While showing off his classic dog skills, such as playing fetch, Dog Man must also protect the city from Petey the Cat (Pete Davison), who hatches a sneaky cloning scheme.

(from left) Dog Man (Peter Hastings) and Realtor (Melissa Villaseñor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.

With all the craziness, we meet the lovable and adorable Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) who forms a surprisingly amazing friendship with Dog Man. Eventually, a new common enemy makes Dog Man and Petey realize they must team up, setting aside their differences to tackle the challenges ahead.

Loving the Dav Pilkey books the way I do, I adore how the art style and the script of this film – they capture the wackiness of the books. I commend the director, Peter Hastings, for his outstanding work and also for Dog Man himself. The film truly is designed in such a way to appeal to the target audience, fans of the original books.

Dog Man (Peter Hastings) in DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, directed by Peter Hastings.

It really holds true to the comic book series and its goofy nature. My favorite part is when Li’l Petey is taken hostage by the surprise villain known as Flippy the Fish (Ricky Gervais), which leads to Petey the Cat unlocking his inner good and teaming up with Dog Man. I also like when Petey buys a cloning machine off the internet and has a bunch of silly problems that lead to the creation of Li’l Petey.

The film’s message is that everyone has good in them; it just needs the right person, or kitten, to be unlocked. This film contains very slight profanity, but is otherwise okay.

I give Dog Man 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. You can find it in theaters on January 31, 2025.

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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man * Fantastic Return To Form For The Spider-Man Universe

January 29th, 2025

This animated series follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a compelling new series on the early life of Peter Parker. It is created in a classic comic book animation style, making it something old that new fans can enjoy.

The music is perfectly in sync with the story at every crazy twist and turn in this fantastic return to form for the Spider-Man Universe.” See his full review below.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
By Jackson N, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Hudson Thames) and Harry Osborn (Zeno Robinson) in Marvel Animation’s   Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man exclusively on Disney+. Courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a compelling new series on the early life of Peter Parker. It is created in a classic comic book animation style, making it something old that new fans can enjoy.

The music is perfectly in sync with the story at every crazy twist and turn in this fantastic return to form for the Spider-Man Universe.

This ten episode series follows Peter Parker as “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” cruising the streets and teaching the villains that he encounters what happens when you mess with his hometown of New York City.

However, when teaching these lessons, he gets caught up in some shady business that leads him to come into contact with his first big villain. The show has a legendary finale you don’t want to miss!

Spider-Man/Peter Parker in Marvel Animation’s YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

 

The show’s music, by Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson, is enough on its own to make it a must watch. When you add the great storyline and characters, such as Harry Osborn (Colman Domingo), The Scorpions, and the mysterious inventor (Hugh Dancy), to the mix you get something timeless. The actor who voices Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) is terrific at taking this well-loved character and making it his own. The show incorporates characters from the early comic series in new and interesting ways – which kept me, an avid fan, on my toes. Spider-Man without comedy is unheard of, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is no different. It has great comedic timing and one liners that make it an instant classic.

Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Hudson Thames) and Norman Osborn (Colman Domingo) in YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.

 

The main message of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is to always be yourself and push yourself to do your best. The series shows the importance of friendship, standing up for yourself, and working hard. Parents should note that this show has minimal gore and includes infrequent, but noticeable, cursing.

I give Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.

The series debuts with its first two episodes on Disney+ on January 29, 2025, with the remaining eight episodes being released weekly in groups of two or three until February 19, 2025.

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Eva the Owlet: Season 2 * Imaginative And Family Centered * I May Even Start To Journal

January 24th, 2025

“Eva the Owlet” stars Eva, a creative, cheeky owlet who lives next door to her best friend Lucy in the woodland world of Treetopington. With big ideas and an even bigger personality, Eva goes on high-flying adventures, expressing herself in her diary along the way!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Luna C. comments, “Eva the Owlet is a cute series for younger kids and I am excited to talk about Season 2 because I like this show a lot. It is imaginative and centered towards family which makes it endearing to watch.” See her full review and interview below.

Eva the Owlet: Season 2
By Luna C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

Eva the Owlet is a cute series for younger kids and I am excited to talk about Season 2 because I like this show a lot. It is imaginative and centered towards family which makes it endearing to watch.

Eva, a little owl with a big family, lives within the woodland world of Treetopinton. She is lucky enough to live next door to her best friend, Lucy and together they go on adventures, take care of her baby brother, and make notes about all of it in her journal, which encourages young viewers to follow along.

The second season follows Eva, the middle child of the Owl family. Eva is voiced by Viviane Rutherford, a young actress whose voice inflection conveys emotion perfectly. This cheeky Owlet reflects on her days by writing in her diary where she contemplates the importance of friendship, happiness, and sharing feelings with someone or something. One of my favorite things about the second series is that there are tiny projects Eva does that are totally doable with your own family – like making superhero acorns or moon wishes for summer solstice.

The show’s message, which comes from the original books, book series, is about how doing good for others makes you happy. There is a lot of focus on helping others, appreciating your family, and being creative with your friends. It inspired me to do those tiny bits of good that make a big difference to someone else. Maybe I will even start to journal!

Eva the Owlet: Season 2 gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 2 to 5 or anyone young at heart. Eva the Owlet: Season 2 premieres on Apple TV January 24, 2025. Until then, catch up on the now available season one.

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Autumn and the Black Jaguar * A Passionate Tale Of Friendship That Surpasses Human Boundaries

January 17th, 2025

Growing up in the Amazon rainforest gave Autumn the rarest of friendships — a lost jaguar cub she discovers named Hope. When a tragic event forces Autumn to leave Hope for the unknowns of New York City, she dreams for years of going back to the rainforest and her friend. Aged 14, and having grown accustomed to city life, Autumn discovers her childhood village is under threat from animal traffickers and decides she must return to the Amazon to her beloved jaguar. Anja (Emily Bett Rickards) — Autumn’s endearingly clumsy biology teacher — unsuccessfully tries to dissuade her from this reckless plan. Joined by Anja, Autumn embarks on a journey to reunite with Hope and save her from those who seek to destroy the rainforest and its wildlife.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ruhi K. comments, “Autumn and the Black Jaguar is Told through a combination of flashbacks and present-day scenes, it shows how one girl, on a quest to save a jaguar, changes the mindset of an entire community.” See her full review below.

Autumn and the Black Jaguar
By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Autumn and the Black Jaguar is told through a combination of flashbacks and present-day scenes, it shows how one girl, on a quest to save a jaguar, changes the mindset of an entire community.

The film follows Autumn (Lumi Pollack), a teen girl who loves animals but has none of her own. Autumn lives in New York City with her single father (Paul Greene), who moved them out of their former home in the forest after the murder of Autumn’s mother (Eva Avila) by animal poachers. When Autumn learns that Hope, the jaguar who was her childhood best friend, is in danger, she makes the journey to the Amazon rainforest to save her, trailed by her agoraphobic biology teacher (Emily Bett Rickards) and her hedgehog.

One of the most impressive aspects of Autumn and the Black Jaguar is the character development of multiple people. Almost every character undergoes some kind of transformation. Autumn learns to ask for help when she needs it, and that, while she should trust her instincts, being careful is just as important as activism. Autumn’s father learns to let people in instead of pushing them away. Her teacher opens up and is forced to reenter the world and make friends. Even Autumn’s uncle Oré (Wayne Charles Baker) learns to take a stand when something is wrong, rather than sitting still.

The cinematography is also worth mentioning – Autumn and the Black Jaguar takes place in a rainforest and we see many breathtakingly beautiful shots of the Amazon jungle and its wildlife, rivers and waterfalls. Finally, the chemistry between Lumi Pollack and the real jaguar used for the film blows my mind. Before filming for Autumn and the Black Jaguar began, Pollack spent one year bonding with the jaguar, which is very apparent when they are on-screen together. Their interactions are very natural, and Pollack displays no fear or tension around the jaguar (which is really saying something, considering its size!). I was greatly moved by this touching story of one girl’s unwavering bond with an animal and how she uses it to make a change.

Autumn’s inspiring journey is a reminder to stand up for those who would do the same for you in your time of need – animals as well as people. Be there for those who have been there for you, because one day you could be depending on them to save you. Autumn and the Black Jaguar also highlights the importance of perseverance. Determination can be the difference between failing and making an impact, even when it seems like the cards are stacked against you.

I give Autumn and the Black Jaguar 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The film releases to theaters nationwide on January 17, 2025.

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