KIDS FIRST! News

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.

KIDS FIRST! wants to hear from you!

Does your child love movies and love to talk about them? Do you love free stuff?

In our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local campaign, your child can be a film critic too. Send us your child’s video review of Chasing Mavericks, Life of Pi or Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon and you will receive free movie tickets or a free skin for your favorite mobile device from Zing Revolution (while supplies last) – just for sending us your review!

Chasing Mavericks and Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon are out on DVD and Blu-ray on February 26, 2013 and Life of Pi is available on DVD, Blu-ray, HD and 3D on March 12, 2013. You can purchase any of these movies on Amazon.com, or at your favorite retailer.

Click here to visit our KIDS FIRST! Critics Go Local website and see the details and instructions for participating. We can’t wait to hear from you!