KIDS FIRST! News

From our friends at Walt Disney Animation comes Zootopia, the story about a city of anthropomorphic animals where a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop must work together to uncover a conspiracy. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mia A. comments, “I thoroughly enjoyed Disney’s Zootopia because the animation took me into a beautiful world just like ours, but completely filled with animals.” Tre’ana H. chimes in with, “I really adored this film because it is very different from any ordinary film. The characters belong to the zoo animals’ collection. It is hilarious because all the animals act like humans and engage in everyday, normal conversations like we do.” See their full reviews below.

Zootopia
By Mia A, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I thoroughly enjoyed Disney’s Zootopia because the animation took me into a beautiful world just like ours, but completely filled with animals.

Zootopia is about a bunny named Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) who grew up on a carrot farm.  Judy always wanted to be a cop when she grew up even though she is a bunny and bunnies do not become policemen.  She goes to police training and then becomes a cop in Zootopia.

Zootopia is a land where all different types of animals, prey and predators, live together in peace.  When Judy gets to Zootopia she is not taken seriously as a Bunny Cop, so Judy has to finish a case in 48 hours or else she resign.  She teams up with a fox named Nick (Jason Bateman) to help figure out the case.  Will she get taken seriously as a cop and finish the case? You’ll have to watch it to find out.

My favorite character in Zootopia is Nick, a clever, funny and mischievous fox.  Nick got lots of laughs from the audience and I learned to care about him after his back story was revealed.

My favorite scene is with the sloths.  Judy and Nick go to check a license plate and all the workers at the DMV are sloths.  The main sloth named Flash (Raymond S. Persi) says everything slowly. Judy is in a big rush and to make the process even slower, Nick tells Flash a joke.  This is one of the funniest scenes that got lots of laughs from the audience.

The film’s animation is incredible. It’s filled with lots of color and creative, minute details.  In one scene, Judy travels through the different zones of Zootopia and, in the rainforest zone, it starts raining and the rain hits the train.  This scene is filled with detailed colors and light.

Zootopia is a mystery movie, but it is also a comedy.  The mystery part of this movie could be scary to little kids because there are dark scenes with intense action and it shows some animals going savage.

There are a couple scenes with nude animals.  This isn’t that bad because it only shows animals without clothes on.  It is funny though because the animals freak out even though, in real life, animals are always “nude”.

I rate this movie a 4.5 out of 5 stars because there are some scenes little kids might find scary but everything has a reason even if it doesn’t seem important at the time.  Since this is a Disney movie, some parents might think it is good for all ages. But, I recommend it for kids age 6 to 15 because of the fear factor. If your kids like mysteries and dark scenes then, that won’t be a problem. Disney’s Zootopia is now available on DVD/Blu-ray/HD Digital so check it out.
Mia’s interview with Animation Supervisor Kira Lehtomaki follows.

Zootopia
By Tre’ana H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I really adored this film because it is very different from any ordinary film. The characters belong to the zoo animals’ collection. It is hilarious because all the animals act like humans and engage in everyday, normal conversations like we do. Directors, Byron Howard and Rich Moore have delivered a creative and amazing story filled with imagination.

In the city of Zootopia the animals live a diversified life. They all get along with each other until a plague hits some of the animals and they start to be aggressive with each other. A fugitive con artist / fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and a rookie bunny cop named Judy Hoops, (Ginnifer Godwin) work together to uncover the conspiracy that is taking over their city. You will not believe the deception that is taking place.

My most memorable scene is when the bunny first goes to Zootopia. I liked this part best because, when she is on the train, you see the entire city of Zootopia. It made me feel like I was part of the scene touring Zootopia with Judy. This section of the film shows each part of the city and reveals all the different scenery in each section. This is the coolest scene and is so beautifully detailed.

The setting of this story made me feel like I wanted to be a part of this world of Zootopia. The colors are very bright and it looks like an amusement park with plenty of animals.

The moral message of this film is that you should never let anyone bring you down or stop you from being the person you want to be. People may try to break you down, but you can’t let them.  You can be whatever you want to be in this world of freedom.

I recommend Zootopia for ages 6 to 18 and I give it 5 out of 5 Stars because it is child friendly, hilarious, exciting and everyone will enjoy it. Disney’s Zootopia is now available on DVD/Blu-ray/HD Digital so check it out.

Video editing by Miles DeVesty

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is a French CGI action/adventure animated series produced by Zagtoon and Method Animation. The series features two Parisian teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who transform into the superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir, respectively, to protect the city from super villains. Set in modern-day Paris, the series focuses on teenage Marinette Dupain-Cheng and her classmate and crush Adrien Agreste. When evil arises, Marinette transforms into her secret superhero persona Ladybug, while Adrien transforms into his superhero persona Cat Noir, using powerful objects known as the Miraculous. Oblivious to each others’ true identities, the two work together to protect Paris from the mysterious villain Hawk Moth, who covets and attempts to steal their powers by using his akuma, butterflies infused with black energy, to influence and transform everyday citizens into supervillains.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir

By Morgan B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 11

What do a Ladybug, black cat and a hawk moth all have in common?  This new French cartoon is creative, funny, gender-friendly and visually adorable. I enjoyed it so much that I watched all seven episodes back to back. Each episode has a new villain and a creative story line. You will be totally entertained trying to guess what the new character is and what it will look like.

Cristina Valenzuela is the voice of a regular teenager Marinette Dupain. She has a ladybug in an earring and, when things go wrong and evil appears, she uses her ladybug Tikki to change into a half human and half ladybug. This new super hero, my favorite character, is adorable. Everyone loves ladybugs. Black and red might be my new favorite colors. She encompasses the virtues of saving people, helping people and compassion. As a ladybug, she is allowed one lucky charm which gives her one gadget. Then she sees in red and black which zeroes in on the different things she needs to do with the gadget to defeat the villains.

Cat Noir has super powers with the help of a ring that change him into a black cat that is Ladybug’s side kick. Of course, there a few crushes going on. Our superheroes have great best friends that help them in real life. After all, they are both shy until they become Ladybug and Cat Noir.

These two teenagers are believable, every day teens. I found this endearing since it makes them both easily relatable. The other characters are regular teens that all have issues such as jealousy, unfair treatment, anger and things we all go through. Then there is a super villain named Hawk Moth who covets and attempts to steal their powers by using his akuma, butterflies infused with black energy, to influence and transform everyday citizens into supervillains. There are a lot of messages in this film which help everyone to see how easy it is to get upset but, once you chill and think about it, it will all work out.

Time breaker is my favorite episode because this supervillain can turn back time which would be handy. We are humans and make mistakes and it would be a great to get a redo and fix them.

I found the dialogue to be realistic and amusing. It is quick witted and yet has a few clichés which will have you laughing. There is a touch of anime in the graphics and writing.  The CG animation is crisp and all the scenes pop. If it was not a cartoon, you could easily see how this could be a real world. It found it enjoyable to watch.

Ladybug and Cat Nori are high school students, but I think that younger people would love watching this so I recommend it for ages 6 to 15. Super heroes, lady bugs, cats and villains appeal to a broad range of people. There are many anime fans who would love viewing this to.  I give this series 5 out of 5 Tikki spots on! Tahdah! Ladybug stars. This DVD collection of seven episodes is brought to you by Shout! Factory and is in stores now.

Based on the book by Lewis Carroll, Disney brings us Alice Through the Looking Glass directed by James Bobin and produced by Tim Burton. The story follows Alice who returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Clayton P. comments, “Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass is a magical fantasy adventure film in the great Tim Burton tradition.  It is also a refreshing, feminist take on the classic Lewis Carroll story.” See his full review below

Alice Through The Looking Glass
By Clayton Pickard, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass is a magical fantasy adventure film in the great Tim Burton tradition.  It is also a refreshing, feminist take on the classic Lewis Carroll story. This sequel to 2010’s blockbuster, Alice in Wonderland, again stars Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as Iracebeth (Queen of Hearts) and Anne Hathaway as Mirana. New to the cast is Sasha Baron Cohen as “Time.”

In the real world of 18th century England, Alice Kingsleigh is a captain of an English merchant ship.  She is about to lose her commission when she re-enters Wonderland for the second time. She is given a warm welcome by all her old friends: the White Rabbit, TweedleDee and TweedleDum, the Cheshire Cat and Mirana. She learns that her best friend, The Mad Hatter, is depressed because he misses his parents and his siblings. She decides that the only way to help him is to find his family. They are presumed dead, but the Hatter doesn’t believe so. She then goes in search of the chronosphere, a time travel device located at Time’s castle. What follows is an epic journey in search of “The Hatter’s” parents.

Alice Through the Looking Glass is very creative and colorful. Tim Burton is one of the producers, so this is not surprising. The costumes and the makeup are top notch. The special effects are inventive, especially the sequence at Time’s castle. Time has an amazing castle, which is run by a group of creatures called “seconds,” which are made of nuts, bolts and gears. These “seconds” can combine to make even bigger creatures called “minutes.” These “minutes” can combine to make a enormous, transformer-like creature called “hours.”

There is a lot of smart wordplay based on the character Time. Think of all the puns having to do with time and they are all in the movie. Sasha Baron Cohen as Time steals the whole film. He is very funny, exciting and works well with this great ensemble cast. My favorite line of the film is when The Mad Hatter exclaims “dream or reality – who’s to say which is which.” This sums up the message of the movie and the magic in all Tim Burton movies.

Alice Through The Looking Glass is an enchanting adventure/fairy tale for the whole family. It is appropriate for ages 8 to 18. I rate this film 4.5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by Clayton P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

X-Men: Apocalypse comes out May 27 and, according to our reporters, is worth the wait. The storyline follows Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe who has amassed the powers of many other mutants, becomes immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven with the help of Professor X must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Morgan B. comments, “There are so many eye candy moments and graphics that are truly some of best that I have ever seen. I need to watch this movie again just to catch them all. They are so amazing. Every minute is shock and awe.” See her full review below.

X-Men: Apocalypse
By Morgan Bertsch, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Marvel has come out with another astonishing film, X-Men: Apocalypse. After the first five minutes of the movie, I wanted to yell, “Rewind it!” I want to see that again.

There are so many eye candy moments and graphics that are truly some of best that I have ever seen. I need to watch this movie again just to catch them all. They are so amazing. Every minute is shock and awe. The stunts are fabulous and make all the mutants’ super powers come to life.  Mind boggling graphics and mouth dropping stunts, now that is what I call a movie.

The story line starts in ancient Egypt when the first-ever mutant thinks he is a God because he possesses super strong powers. Apocalypse thinks he is the ruler of the world. He can transfer his conscience into other mutants and gain their powers, which enable him to live forever. He believes that the world that is ruled by the weak should be ruled by the strong. This is why he decides that he will start an apocalypse and the weak will die and the strong will live.  Apocalypse plans to rule the entire world.

My favorite character and scene is the moment when Quicksilver saves as many students as he can from death using his power of super-fast speed. I laughed during this scene because he ate pizza at the same time he was rescuing them.  And, of course, the slow motion graphics are stupendous.

My favorite character, because I am a girl and believe in girl power, has to be Jennifer Lawrence who plays Mystique. Her costume is awesomely cool. Her character is a strong, believable leader who stands by her principles. She also has my favorite super power, transforming herself into other people.

On the other hand, I do love Even Peters who plays Quicksilver who is absolutely dreamy. I have a huge crush on this humorous, adorable, dreamy gamer. He is a snazzy dresser. Kudos to the custom designers and make-up artists who help bring his character credibility. Magneto is at his best when he is angry and we gain insight into just how deep his issues go. Ben Hardy as The Angel is simply stunning. I want his wings, both sets. They are simply amazing. In this film, we meet some new characters and an abundance of super powers, which makes you wonder which one would be right for you. There are guest appearances, which brought applause and cheers from the audience at my screening. Sorry, no spoilers. I can’t tell you more than that.

The story line answers many questions about the origin of the X-Men and how they became who they are. It answers many questions, which have arisen from previous X-Men movies.

I recommend this film for ages 10 to 18 because the story line is too complicated for younger audiences and there is a fair amount of scary violence. Oftentimes the characters are in great peril and danger. I rate this film give 5 out of 5 ever changing mutant stars.  It opens in theaters May 27 so, if you like action and adventure, comic-book based films, be sure to check it out.

This all new TV show/DVD features Mack, a lovable, moose-like lummox, and Moxy, a feisty whirlwind of a raccoon/fox go-getter, on four exciting adventures! Together with a helpful Trooper, Mack & Moxy set out to rescue another Great Helpee in a far off mystical place called HelpeeLand. Along the way, Mack & Moxy meet a new Friend in Need who ends up teaching us a new important cause. Guest celebrity, Josh Duhamel (Transformers, All My Children), helps the Heroes’ mission in support of Save the Children, providing quality preschool programs to underserved children around the world since 1932. In this DVD, Mack & Moxy introduce us to Save the Children, American Red Cross, Feeding America and World Wildlife Fund. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Abigail Zoe L. comments, “I learned a lot about different ways to care for others, compassion, important causes and the joy of helping others. In short, I learned what it is to be a humanitarian.” See her full review below.

Mack & Moxy: The Great Helpee Heroes
By Abigail Zoe Lewis, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 8

The Mack & Moxy: The Great Helpee Heroes DVD is great! It is as entertaining as it is educational. I learned a lot about different ways to care for others, compassion, important causes and the joy of helping others. In short, I learned what it is to be a humanitarian.

This DVD features four different episodes from the new children’s TV show, Mack & Moxy. In each episode the main characters go to HelpeeLand to save a “Great Helpee” from evil Shelfish Sheldon. This greedy character wants to steal all the happiness in the world just for himself.

On their journey, they always meet a friend in need who introduces them to a new and important cause. For example, in “Feeding Rainbow” we learn about the charity organization, “Feeding America” that provides hunger-relief through food banks/pantries for those who can’t afford to purchase their own food. In the episode “Always be Prepared,” we learn the importance of Emergency Preparedness and about the American Red Cross organization. Basically, we learn  things about what to do in scary situations such as, if there is a fire, we should not grab a thing, “get low and go” and have a plan of action.

My favorite episode is a “Ty-Grrrr’s Tale” because it is about saving tigers and I love animals. We also learn about the World Wildlife Fund that helps raise awareness and money to help and protect animals.

I love that each episode has a special celebrity guest. My favorite actor on this DVD is, Josh Duhamel who plays the Admirable in the episode, “Save The Children.” He reminds us the importance of early education. I really like Josh because he’s funny and entertaining.
The message of this DVD, like the show, is about inspiring children to become great humanitarians.

I actually had an opportunity to visit a live taping of the show and interview both the creator of the show, Brahm Wenger and Kelly McQuinn, the Co-Executive Producer. One of the things they shared was that the show teaches children in the language that they know. They explained that this is done with the show’s bright colored characters, fun music, songs, dance and awesome stories that teach humanitarian lessons. They also shared how excited they are to be part of America’s first kid’s TV show about causes.

I believe 3 to 8-year-olds will really like this DVD and TV show with its adventurous stories, fun music and lively characters. I give the show five out of five stars, or should I say humanitarian stars.  Finally, I hope that you too will find a cause from this DVD or in your own life that inspires you to become one of the next generation’s great humanitarians. This DVD is available in stores on May 24, 2016 so be sure to check it out.