KIDS FIRST! News

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose. Creed III is the third installment in the successful franchise and is Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Maica N. comments, “Creed III is a movie that is carried by its acting. With a combination of seasoned and up-and-coming actors, the scenes are more meaningful than ever. In his directorial debut, Michael B. Jordan stars in a movie that had me invested from the start, though to the very end.” Emma D. adds, “Creed III is a thrilling movie that lives up to expectations and definitely impressed me. However, due to its thrilling fight scenes and serious topics, it may be a difficult watch for younger kids.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

Creed III
|Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

Creed III is a movie that is carried by its acting. With a combination of seasoned and up-and-coming actors, the scenes are more meaningful than ever. In his directorial debut, Michael B. Jordan stars in a movie that had me invested from the start, though to the very end.

After officially retiring from boxing, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been focusing on his family and his career as a businessman. When he is greeted unexpectedly by his childhood friend Dame (Jonathan Majors), a former boxer who spent 18 years in prison, Adonis is also reminded of his tough past. Dame is insistent on getting another chance to box, enlisting Adonis for help. When Adonis realizes there is more to Dame’s plan than just boxing again, he is forced to face him in a battle that is more than just a fight.

Creed III focuses on its main plot and doesn’t rely on subplots to move the story forward. There are ideas introduced in the movie that could’ve become more significant elements such as Amara’s school situation, but instead, it sticks to the primary conflict, making it easy to follow along with the storyline. The dynamic between Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors creates a sense of tension within the movie and creates a much larger reaction when there are plot twists, which there are.

Adonis and Bianca’s (Tessa Thompson) daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent) is such a good addition to the storyline, and her character creates a feeling of love that is palpable. Having the entire family understanding sign language and using that to communicate brings them closer together, which translates to the audience.

Creed III is Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, and the setup of this movie conveys its message incredibly well. In the final fight scene, we see Adonis and Dame in the ring alone – symbolizing the two being together since their childhood, as brothers. Neither of them can believe their relationship has come to the point where they are here, against each other. This scene shows the vulnerability of both characters and provides both points of view. The fight choreography, the silence of the scene, the visual effects, and deeper meaning make the final fight one to remember.

The primary message of Creed III is that the only way to resolve a conflict is to face it, rather than run away from it. Even though Adonis is scared to face his past because of his guilt, he realizes that facing it is the only way to truly move on. There are some profanity and violent scenes within the movie, which explains its PG-13 rating.

Creed III gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can find Creed III in theaters on March 3, 2023. Make sure you check it out!

Creed III
By Emma D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Creed III is a thrilling movie that lives up to expectations and definitely impressed me. However, due to its thrilling fight scenes and serious topics, it may be a difficult watch for younger kids.

Creed III takes place seven years after Creed II and follows Adonis Creed (Michael B Jordan) as a retired boxer and a father to his daughter Amara (Mila Davis Kent). Everything changes when a childhood friend resurfaces and brings back problems from Adonis’s past, which makes Adonis question everything.

Michael B. Jordan is undoubtedly the best part of the movie. Creed III is his directorial debut and it’s a great start to what I believe will be an amazing directing career. Since I hadn’t seen the first two films in this series I was concerned that I wasn’t going to understand the plot, but Creed III stands on its own and references the first two films without giving anything away.

The movie is captivating and is beautifully shot. Jordan makes clear distinctions between good and bad with both costume design and cinematography. Kramer Morgenthau’s cinematography is beautiful, especially in the fight sequences. The relationship between Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) and Damien (Jonathan Majors) is super compelling, but a little predictable. One thing that is lacking is the backstory about why Damien went to jail, which made me wonder what really happened.  The movie is centered on boxing and can get a little violent. It’s actually a lot more violent than I expected and there were many times when I had to look away. 

Creed III promotes self-confidence and communicating with people you love. It also emphasizes not using physical violence in difficult situations, which is important in a movie that revolves around fighting.  There is a lot of profanity used and many violent and graphic fight scenes. The film also covers serious topics including death, abuse and prison.

I give Creed III 5 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters March 3, 2023.

Woody Harrelson stars in the hilarious and heartwarming story of a former minor-league basketball coach who, after a series of missteps, is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. He soon realizes that despite his doubts, together, this team can go further than they ever imagined. 

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mikells G. comments, “Champions is a heartwarming emotional film. Its inspiring story definitely is a tear-jerker, and makes me think twice about my future life choices.” Miguel C. adds, “Champions is a super funny movie, and I had a good time watching it. In this film you see a lot of inclusivity for people with disabilities and Down’s Syndrome.” See their full reviews below.

Champions
By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Champions is a heartwarming emotional film. Its inspiring story definitely is a tear-jerker, and makes me think twice about my future life choices.

The storyline of Champions revolves around the life of Marcus (Woody Harrelson) whose biggest dream is to become an NBA basketball coach. However, he can’t seem to get past the J leagues. After a continual tiring frustration, one night it really affects him and he foolishly drinks, drives and gets caught. Marcus is now stuck with 90 days of community service, where he is assigned to coach basketball to kids with disabilities. Throughout this process he learns what it’s really like to truly see people and connect with them.

Something that stands about this film is its storyline which is comedic, heartwarming and sentimental all in one. Although the film is very deep and moving, it still has a relaxed fun feeling to it. For instance all of the characters’ personalities are very calming and make you feel good. I really enjoyed the strong characters; each has its own unique personality and backstory while still coming together to tell the group’s story. Lastly, the message throughout the film is truly outstanding and moving. It not only teaches viewers the importance of what it really means to be a winner, but emphasizes how acceptance is extremely important. Moreover, the film highlights those with disabilities in ways that the average person might never see. It shows how they live in unison with us and that, in the end, we are all just humans with vulnerable hearts.

The message of Champions is that, in life winning doesn’t always mean coming in first place, and that there are many different meanings of winning. This film does include some inappropriate language and sexual content.

I give Champions 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Champions in theaters on March 10, 2023.

Champions
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Champions is a super funny movie, and I had a good time watching it. In this film you see a lot of inclusivity for people with disabilities and Down’s Syndrome.

The story begins with Marcus (Woody Harrelson) and Alex (Kaitlin Olson) spending the night together and we see Marcus watching a basketball game. Then we find out that Marcus works with a professional basketball team as the assistant to Coach Phil Perretti (Ernie Hudson). Marcus always wants the best for the team but when he tells the coach to change the positions, the coach says no, and Marcus gets physical. What happens next? You’ll have to see the film to find out. 

Champions uses a lot of dark toned colors, which makes it seem sad.  The actors are very strong; my favorite is Madison Tevlin for in how she plays the mean girl role as Consentino  — it makes everything way more fun. She has a way of coming off as mean but then steals your heart when you find out she always does it to help and give back to the team. We also see how united and like a family the team is.  What I really like about it this film is that they raise awareness for people with disabilities. The finale is very funny, too.

The message of this film is that we are all humans going through our own things, and yet, no matter what happens, we have to stick together. There is a lot of sexual talk and some heavy kissing scenes, so I would look out for that for younger children.  We also hear a lot of racial comments.

I give Champions 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Champions comes out on theaters March 10, 2023. 

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 [AW1]See the phone?

After losing the gold and fleeing the Outer Banks, Season 3 finds the Pogues washed ashore on a desert island that, for a brief moment, seems like an idyllic home. Officially deemed “Poguelandia,” the island’s newest residents spend their days fishing, swimming, and reveling in the carefree lifestyle of their temporary dwelling. But things quickly go south for John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and Cleo when they find themselves once again caught up in a race for the treasure, quite literally running for their lives. They’re broke and far from home, they can’t trust anyone, Ward and Rafe are hungry for revenge, and there’s a ruthless Caribbean Don who will stop at nothing to find the bounty. Was the treasure ever within their reach? Or was it all a trap to stop them once and for all? Either way, it’s the Pogues against the world – and the only way out is together.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “The third season of the teen (and adult) adventure series, Outer Banks, is back and even more action-packed! This season is filled with loads of treasure hunting, close escapes, daring rescues and romance. I love how much the plot and characters change from the previous seasons.” See her full review and Interview with  Chae Stokes and Rudy Pankow below.

The third season of the teen (and adult) adventure series, Outer Banks, is back and even more action-packed!

Outer Banks: Season 3
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

This season is filled with loads of treasure hunting, close escapes, daring rescues and romance. I love how much the plot and characters change from the previous seasons.

The story of the Pogues continues as the show picks up right where it left off with John B (Chase Stokes), JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey), Sarah (Madelyn Cline) and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) stranded on an uninhabited island they’ve named “Poguelandia.”

But once they get rescued from the island, things go south. And the search for treasure isn’t nearly over yet.

Since this is the third season of Outer Banks, I highly recommend watching the previous seasons to things make sense.

Fans of previous seasons will love this as there are many high stakes chases and unexpected plot twists. This season doesn’t get old and keeps you very engaged.

The cast of this show is extremely talented. The best performances come from Chase Stokes (John B), Charles Hanford (Big John) and Andy McQueen (Mr. Singh). Chase Stokes’ character goes through a lot emotionally, especially in this season, and he makes it very believable and realistic.

We hadn’t seen very much of Charles Hanford as Big John in the first two seasons, so it is very entertaining and surprising to get to know him more and see what kind of person he is.

Mr. Singh is a new character this season, but his character fits in with the plot super well. Andy McQueen perfectly portrays him. I can really sense his background and feel what his past is even though we never see it.

The messages of this show, similar to seasons one and two, are that family can be chosen, change happens and should be accepted, and mistakes are okay because they are a part of life. Additionally it shows how powerful love from friends is. Be aware that there is some profanity, violence and many risky things the kids do that are dangerous.

Outer Banks: Season 3 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It comes out on Netflix February 23, 2023.

Rural Ireland 1981. A quiet, neglected girl is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. She blossoms in their care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Filled with pathos, The Quiet Girl is a beautiful film with a smartly-written screenplay and luminous cinematography. The story keeps you enthralled, and, by the end, audiences will understand that melancholy and silence don’t always go together.” Emma D. adds, “The Quiet Girl is, by far, one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. I commend the director, Colm Bairéad, for showcasing the dazzling scenery of Ireland. This film is mainly spoken in Gaelic and I had to rely on the subtitles to understand the plot, which made it a little hard to connect with at times.” See their full reviews below.

The Quiet Girl
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Filled with pathos, The Quiet Girl is a beautiful film with a smartly-written screenplay and luminous cinematography. The story keeps you enthralled, and, by the end, audiences will understand that melancholy and silence don’t always go together.

Set in rural Ireland and one of a dying breed of Irish-language films, The Quiet Girl is based on Claire Keegan’s short story “Foster” and a riff on the famous 1952 Oscar®-award-winning John Ford film The Quiet Man. Nine-year-old Cait (Catherine Clinch) is withdrawn; she lives with her neglectful parents, sisters, and baby brother. Her tired parents send her to the Cinnsealach family (her maternal aunt and uncle). Eibhlin and Sean Cinnsealach (Carrie Crowley and Andrew Bennett) differ in how they accept Cait, but both share a sense of compassion and yet deep loss, too. The film takes its time to reveal exactly what the root of this sense of loss is and does so elegantly. Through her time with the Cinnsealachs, Cait realizes the true meaning of family, kindness and care.

Director Colm Bairéad has achieved a commendable task by making nearly the whole film in Irish Gaelic, an endangered language that Bairéad wants to promote globally. The cast carry the film with their understated performances, which are, like everything else in the film “quiet” and subtle. Clinch’s honesty in her portrayal of the withdrawn, nuanced Cait shines through. I also have a soft spot for Carrie Crowley and Andrew Bennett. Crowley’s motherly kindness is like a tight hug for viewers. Bennett’s character is much colder than Crowley’s toward Cait initially, but Bennett uses his prowess to transform his character from an antagonist to a flawed supporting character easily. I love the cinematography and the film as well. The way the endless fields, slurry pit, and beaten country roads were filmed seems to emanate a sense of peace and has a unique luster. The music in the film is subtle, which also adds to the “quiet” feeling of the film, as does the laconic script, which focuses more on the characters’ bonds than the words coming out of their mouths, making for a deeply meaningful viewing experience.

The Quiet Girl promotes kindness, acceptance and the power of silence. In terms of parental warnings, Cait runs off a few times in the film but always returns to the Cinnsealach home.

I give The Quiet Girl 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Quiet Girl releases in theaters nationwide on February 24, 2023.

The Quiet Girl
By Emma Defot, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Quiet Girl is a beautiful film with amazing cinematography that surely captivated me. Although the movie is beautiful, due to it plot and language it may be a difficult watch for younger kids.

The film is set in rural Ireland in the early 1980s and follows the story of Cait (Catherine Clinch), a nine-year-old girl, who is sent away from her dysfunctional family for the summer. Her family is overcrowded and poor, which results in Cait trying to hide in plain site from those around her. When she arrives at a distant relative’s house for the summer, she thrives under their car and, overtime discovers one painful truth, which may change everything.

The Quiet Girl is, by far, one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. I commend the director, Colm Bairéad, for showcasing the dazzling scenery of Ireland. This film is mainly spoken in Gaelic and I had to rely on the subtitles to understand the plot, which made it a little hard to connect with at times. Catherine Clinch gives an amazing and heart-moving performance, and is definitely the highlight of the film. The best parts are definitely the parts with Sean (Andrew Bennett), Cait’s foster father, and Cait which are heartwarming and a contrast to Cait’s relationship with her father. The relationship takes longer to develop than Cait’s relationship with her stepmother and thus comes across as more meaningful. The movie is a bit slow at times, but still captured me.

The Quiet Girl shows the importance of love and warmth from others, in adults and especially in kids. You should know that the film covers many serious topics such as abuse and death, which make it unsuitable for younger audiences.

I give The Quiet Girl 3 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters February 24, 2023.

The discovery that their house is haunted by a ghost named Ernest makes Kevin’s family a social media sensation. But when Kevin and Ernest get to the bottom of the mystery of Ernest’s past, they become targets of the CIA.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Nathalia J. Comments, “The adventure/comedy film We Have a Ghost, directed by Christopher Landon, is thrilling, captivating and engaging. I like how this film balances elements of comedy and drama, while still maintaining a suspenseful plot.” See her full review and interview with director, Christoher Landon below.

We Have A Ghost
By Nathalia J. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The adventure/comedy film We Have a Ghost, directed by Christopher Landon, is thrilling, captivating and engaging. I like how this film balances elements of comedy and drama, while still maintaining a suspenseful plot.

Based on the short story, “Ernest,” by Geoff Manaugh, this film follows the Presley family as they embark on a mission to find a new home. The home they hope to make lifelong memories in, is haunted by a ghost named Ernest who quickly comes to be known as nothing other than misunderstood. Since  Ernest has no recollection of how or why he died, his soul is unable to fully leave earth. Eventually, the youngest child of the Presley family, Kevin, makes it his life mission to find this out and with that, the family gains fame.

My favorite character is most-definitely Ernest (David Harbour). Wonderful performance! Considering that David Harbour had zero previous experience with a character such as Ernest, he portrays the role magnificently. He is able to gain pity from the viewers, which is extremely rare for ghosts in films. Ernest’s character development evolves perfectly, allowing viewers to grasp the moments of importance responsible for changing Ernest’s perspective on life. It allows us to think of Ernest as a misunderstood, confused and helpless soul rather than an angry and malicious ghost. The spectrum of emotions that Ernest experiences do not feel rushed, but are perfectly timed out and displayed.

My favorite aspect of this film is how it differs from previous adventure or horror-based films. In most cases, the threat (Ernest) will not associate with the victims – the Presley Family — in any way other than causing them harm. However, We Have a Ghost offers a fresh dynamic of friendship and cooperation, allowing viewers to not get stuck in the same thriller film cycle. Instead of expecting certain scenes or character motives to take place, I loved seeing something fresh in this film genre. I commend Director Christopher Landon for incorporating new and unexpected ideas to this film.

This film’s message is to appreciate, value and love the people in your life. Appreciate the littlest moments, because at any given time, those moments can turn into only memories –live life to the very fullest.

I give We Have A Ghost 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases on Netflix February 24, 2023. Enjoy!