KIDS FIRST! News

Life of Pi received rave reviews in the theaters, nothing new for the multiple award-winning director Ang Lee, but part of the credit goes to advances in technology that enable the film’s special effects.

According to KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Brianna Hope Beaton, age 13, “The visual effects are amazing.” KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, says “The special effect of the tiger is the best part. It seems so real, I thought that the tiger is actually in the boat with Pi.” Click here to see Brianna and Cheyenne’s video review!

Experience the thrill and beauty of Life of Pi all over again! Now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Enter our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local Campaign, by submitting your review of Life of Pi and win free movie tickets or a free skin for your favorite mobile device. Go here for details.

Life of Pi

Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton

This is truly an amazing story, with a great adventure that is hard to believe.

Pi (Suraj Sharma), an Indian boy, is on a ship with his family who is moving to Canada. One night, there is a terrible storm that sinks the ship and only Pi, a hyena, zebra, orangutan and a Bengal tiger whose name is Richard Parker survive. They are all in one of the small lifeboats trying to stay alive. After a while, it becomes only Pi and Richard Parker who are adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Pi is now trying to survive, but is in fear of Richard Parker.

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, this adventure is created in 3-D and is one of my new favorites. The visual effects are amazing and capture the marine life really well, with all its beautiful colors. I like the way this film is set up like someone is telling it as a story; this really keeps my attention. One of my favorite scenes is when a big whale comes out of the ocean; it is so big and pretty to see. It is incredible. I also like the way we learn how the tiger is named Richard Parker. It is somewhat funny and unusual.

I would love to know how director Ang Lee directs all the animals in this film; it is truly amazing how they act. David Magee (screenplay writer) does a remarkable job transforming a great novel into an amazing script. Other members of the cast in Life of Pi include Vibish Sivakumar (Ravi Patel) and Rafe Spall (The Writer).

A big message I found is to never lose hope no matter where you are in life. Pi is in the middle of the ocean for many, many days with a big storm and a tiger, but through it all he never loses hope to be rescued.

I recommend this film for ages 8 to adults. Younger ages may be a little frightened when they see some of the animal scenes, but other than that, this is a must-see. You can enjoy it with your family and friends.

I give Life of Pi five out of five stars. I love the message and the visual effects. This is a great story of hope and determination. Believe the unbelievable and see the amazing adventure in Life of Pi.

Life of Pi

Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen

Life of Pi is the most amazing 3-D-quality movie that shows underwater footage and sea life.

Life of Pi is based on a popular novel by Yann Martel that sold over 7 million copies. It’s about a boy name Piscine Patel, known as Pi (Suraj Sharma). He has a good life growing up in his father’s zoo in Pondicherry, a French colony. Due to hard times, they have to close down the zoo and move some of the animals to Canada with them.

The move to Canada is in a big Japanese cargo ship, and all the animals are at the bottom of the ship. The big storm hits the ship and sinks the ship. The survivors are Pi, the tiger (Richard Parker), zebra, hyena, orangutan and a rat. They are all in a small lifeboat from the cargo ship. After several days, the only two survivors are Pi and Richard Parker. They are afraid of each other but need each other to survive.

There are so many scenes with great cinematography. The most memorable ones are the underwater footage, and the sinking of the cargo ship is so real and clear. The 3-D brings out the glowing of the jelly fish and the blue whale vividly.

The special effect of the tiger is the best part. It seems so real, I thought that the tiger is actually in the boat with Pi.

The part I did not like is when the animals are fighting each other. It’s too hard to watch the survival of the fittest.

The acting in this movie is so great. Suraj shows a lot of emotions with his eyes, and he stays in his character, and the audience can feel his emotions. It’s so amazing to see his weight loss as the days go by at sea.

My favorite character is Richard Parker. He helps Pi survive the shipwreck and at times he seems more human than creature.

The lesson in this movie is anything is possible. Pi survives over seven months in the Pacific Ocean with just faith and Richard Parker.

I rank this movie four out of five stars. I give this movie an age range of 8 and up.

Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang return to solve another mystery! In this feature length release, Scooby-Doo! Mask Of The Blue Falcon, Brianna Hope Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, explains that the characters are true to classic Scooby-Doo form, but just a bit more updated. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Cheyenne Nguyen, calls this “a great mystery and a surprise ending. Just released on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultraviolet from the folks at Warner Home Video.

Check out this great video review by Cheyenne Nguyen!

Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon

Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton

Click here for Brianna’s full video review!

This animated film is very comical; action packed and is good to watch with the whole family.

Scooby-Doo (Frank Welker-voice) and the gang are out on another adventure. They all go to a comic convention that is held in California to see the Blue Falcon and the Dog Wonder. But while there they come under attack by Mr. Hyde, who is Blue Falcon’s arch enemy. He keeps appearing, disappearing, reappearing and creating destruction all over town. The gang has to solve another mystery. Will they discover who the crook really is or will they come up empty handed?

I absolutely love this film because I love Scooby-Doo. The animation and the cinematography are very lively and colorful with great detail. I like how the previous voices of the past Scooby-Doo films are included in this production. My favorite character in this film, and all the other Scooby-Doo films, is Scooby-Doo. I like him because he is funny, he speaks his mind and he is the one that usually finds the hardest clues.

Michael Ryan, wrote an amazing script with great humor and mystery. Characters Velma (Mindy Cohn), Shaggy and Scooby are right on with the classic Scooby-Doo films but more up-to-date. Director, Michael Goguen does a very good job on making this film possible and directing it.

A message that I found in this film is that the person inside of you is what really matters. Not what you wear, who you are around or what you have. Also, you can be anything you want to be no matter what people say or do. Just work hard and put your mind to it.

I recommend Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon to ages 7 to 15. This is also a great film for the family to get together and watch. People who love Scooby-Doo mysteries, will definitely love and adore this film.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. It really has a great story line that flows smoothly and has me smiling and laughing a lot. I truly love watching this great mystery film.

Long awaited, The Croods hits theaters nationally on March 22, 2013. KIDS FIRST! Film Critics catch a first look at this film and found it to be a funny and emotional family friendly film. Cheyenne Nguyen, age 9, says it “made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again.”

The Croods

Reveiwed by Cheyenne Nguyen

Click here to see Cheyenne’s full video review!

This movie is about a family adventure that gave me tears and joy.

A caveman and his family are forced to change because the earth is changing. The Croods are the last prehistoric family left to fend for themselves against the animals and elements. Everyone in the family goes by the simple rule “Fear keeps us Alive.” The family hunts for food, including the super hyper 4-year-old Sandy.

Grug (Nicolas Cage) is the father and his job is to take care and protect his family. Eep (Emma Stone) is the teenage daughter who always wants to be free to roam around. One day she sneaks out at night to follow the light and meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who is really skinny and super smart. Guy will forever change the Croods’ lives.

The plot in this movie made me laugh, think, cry and laugh again. I like the way they make Eep look like a normal healthy girl instead of a skinny princess-like girly look. They make Guy a super skinny dude who needs belt to hold up his pants. My favorite part of the movie is when the family escapes from danger – Grug always counts and makes sure everybody is safe. He likes to stop at 4 but Gran always come out alive as number 5.

The special effects in this movie are so great. You can see the landscape, rocks and lava as if they are real. The 3-D effects makes everything so close that you want to reach out your hands to touch it.

The cinematography shows how beautiful the earth is. It is filled with rocks, beautiful bright flowers, lush jungle, bright stars and the sun. There are so many different animals in this movie. All the animals are so detailed with colors, feathers, stripes and they are all so cute, even the dangerous ones.

The only part I did not like is when the creatures are trying to catch the family for food. This part with 3-D effects seems too real with all the sharp teeth and claws. I was so scared when the claws come out so sharp and so close to you.

The message in this movie is to face fear and accept changes.

My favorite character is Sandy. She is a hyperactive creature in this very cute baby body. She’s a great hunter and so cute.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18.

If you missed Chasing Mavericks when it was recently in the theater, or just can’t get enough of those awesome surfing scenes, you are in luck. Released to DVD and Blu-ray on February 26, 2013 by Twentieth Century Fox, you can now bring the excitement and inspiration – not to mention a bit of the beach – to your own living room!

Enter our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local Campaign, by submitting your review of Chasing Mavericks and win free movie tickets or a free skin for your favorite mobile device. Go here for details.

Chasing Mavericks

Reviewed by Cheyenne Nguyen

Click here to see Cheyenne’s full video review!

This movie is based on a true story that will inspire the audience. Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston) is raised by a single mom (Elizabeth Shue) who is never around. He almost died of drowning when he was younger and Frosty Hesson (the local surfing legend) saved him.

Since that day, Jay follows Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler) and notices that Frosty often goes out very early in the morning. One day, Jay follow Frosty to see what he’s doing out so early in the morning. On this trip Jay discovers the secret place where some of the local surfer legends surf. Frosty tells him that the biggest wave will come to this spot one day. He asks Frosty to help him train to ride the biggest waves. During the training process many life events happen and it turns out that Jay is helping Frosty as much as Frosty is helping him. They build a father and son bond.

This movie has so many different emotions. There are the relationships between a Jay and his mom, Jay and his first crush, Jay and his best friend and Jay and his father-figure neighbor. There is so much awesome footage of the waves and the surfing culture that the audience can really enjoy watching while learning. The music is so perfect for all the scenes, especially with the skateboarders and surfers. The sceneries of the 80’s and the small town lifestyle is awesome to see. The special effects in this movie are above average. The big wipe out captured is like no other picture I’ve seen.

The message in this movie is never give up. Sometimes it is so much work to achieve your goals, but if you practice everyday, you will be better than yesterday. My favorite characters are Jay and Frosty. Jay is so friendly and never hold grudges; he always forgives. Frosty is a great surfer with a big heart.

I rank this movie 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this for ages 7 and up.

Listen to the KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions Radio Show on Voice America Kids. Airing soon, our film critics interview the real Frosty Hesson,  who is played by Gerard Butler in the film.

Take heart DC Comics and Graphic Novel fans, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is out on DVD and Blu-ray. Released on January 29, 2013, this graphic and violent PG-13 film packs a real punch with its realistic animation style and twists on the classic Batman theme. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Juliana Noone, who doesn’t much care for violent films, found herself on the edge of her seat, “intrigued to continue watching.”

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2

Reviewed by Julianna Noone

Click here to see Julianna’s full video review!

Mark Twain once said, “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” Well, this rings true in the animated move, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 which is adapted from the graphic novel written by Frank Miller. Let me just say, this film is very graphic and mature in its presentation. This film has voice overs by Arielle Winter as Robin, Michael Emerson as The Joker, Mark Valley as Superman and Peter Weller as Batman.

This film is about Batman’s return from his self-imposed exile and how he is forced to deal with the Joker and his robot children. He also must face his greatest opponent yet, Superman himself. This film picks up where part 1 left off and Gotham City is in very dark time where crime is rampant and the city is in fear of the criminals. The Joker has been locked up for many years and while he seems lost and harmless, he is biding his time to make his escape and take control of Gotham. Batman’s quest is none other than to save Gotham and once again make the city a safe place to live at any and all costs.

My favorite character is Robin, as I like the spin of Robin being female in this film. I like how, although she is a girl, she is still very tough and courageous. My favorite scene is the ending but you’ll have to watch the movie to see what happens then. Is Batman gone for good? Time will only tell.

The animation in this film is very good and so well done that it seems very real. As I stated earlier – for an animated film, this is extremely graphic with many violent and bloody scenes that you don’t normally expect in an animated file.

This is a film geared towards teenage boys, ages 13 and up, due to violence and graphic details. Because of this, I rate this movie 3 out of 5 stars. However, the visual presentation is done well, and the music matches so well with the scenes that you are intrigued to continue watching. Graphic novel and DC Comic fans will love this film.