KIDS FIRST! News

Hollywood Stargirl is a sequel to the 2020 Disney+ hit about free spirit Stargirl Caraway, a silver-voiced teenager whose simple acts of kindness work magic in the lives of others, that follows Stargirl’s journey out of Mica, Arizona and into a bigger world of music, dreams and possibilities. When her mother Ana is hired as the costume designer on a movie, they relocate to L.A., where Stargirl quickly becomes involved with an eclectic assortment of characters. They include aspiring filmmaking brothers Evan and Terrell; Mr. Mitchell, one of Stargirl’s neighbors; and Roxanne Martel, a musician Stargirl admires and encounters on her journey.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Heather S. comments, “Hollywood Stargirl is the perfect sequel! We reunite with favorite characters from Stargirl and see how much they’ve grown. By the end of the film we are left wanting to see more of these characters—which is a good thing!” See her full review below.

Hollywood Stargirl 
By Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Hollywood Stargirl is the perfect sequel! We reunite with favorite characters from Stargirl and see how much they’ve grown. By the end of the film we are left wanting to see more of these characters—which is a good thing!

Hollywood Stargirl is very relatable and follows Stargirl (Grace VanderWaal) who has recently moved to Los Angeles. She meets new friends in her apartment building and begins filming a movie. In the first Stargirl film, Stargirl herself is incredibly free spirited and inspires others. In Hollywood Stargirl, she struggles with her emotions, living somewhere new, and wanting to make friends. Seeing a teen girl who is lost and isn’t quite sure where her place in the world is so comforting because it reminds young audiences that others feel the same way they do.  And it’s a good motivation to live life to the fullest.

Stargirl’s wardrobe is spectacular, and it encapsulates her character perfectly. Grace’s acting is magnificent, too, and how she shows Stargirl’s deepest emotions in quiet scenes is very engaging. Stand out scenes like Stargirl singing in her room and going to a club to watch singers perform are heartwarming—it’s wonderful to see her grow comfortable in herself and her music. Grace’s chemistry with her co-star Elijah Richardson, who plays Evan, is phenomenal. Two young actors bring comedy, friendship, and all awkward teenage emotions to the screen with such simple performances.  Hollywood Stargirl proves that contemporary cinema needs more movies like these. 

Stargirl learns several lessons throughout the film. She learns to communicate her feelings to her mom, to feel comfortable in her music and how to turn her life into an adventure. For the first time, Stargirl learns the importance of friendship and camaraderie. 

I give Hollywood Stargirl 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It begins streaming on Disney+ June 3, 2022.

Welcome back to Equestria, where pony magic is everywhere. With friends Zipp, Sunny, Izzy, Pipp and Hitch leading the way, adventure is sure to follow! The series will center on the adventures of Sunny Starscout and her friends after the events depicted in the film. Created with a dazzling 3D CG animation style evocative of the recent film, the special and series will follow the MANE 5 on a journey of self-discovery told through action-packed, hilarious, and heartfelt stories.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Giana N. comments, “My Little Pony: Make Your Mark is an entertaining, full-length episode that will have audiences counting the days until the release of the upcoming series. This show doesn’t really require you to watch the My Little Pony movie beforehand, and that is a good thing.” See her full review below.

My Little Pony: Make Your Mark
Giana N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

My Little Pony: Make Your Mark is an entertaining, full-length episode that will have audiences counting the days until the release of the upcoming series. This show doesn’t really require you to watch the My Little Pony movie beforehand, and that is a good thing. You’ll be entertained watching this show either way.

This show focuses on the new characters that were first presented in the previous movie, My Little Pony: A New Generation. In Maritime Bay, it’s now normal for Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi to interact with each other and to be friends. But lately things have been tense between some of the ponies, and their friendship has been off. Zipp Storm (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) has noticed this tension has caused the unity crystal’s power to fade. Now Zipp and her friends have to figure out a way to stop it before it gets out of hand.

In My Little Pony: Mark Your Mark I like that the five ponies’ friendship is so strong it’s the only thing needed to keep the power of the crystal from fading. They don’t do it individually—they do it together. My favorite characters in this show are Sunny (Jenna Warren) and Izzy (Ana Sani). I like Sunny and Izzy because they both have positive attitudes no matter the situation, and they are nice, genuine ponies. I think that was one of the key factors in saving Maritime Bay. I also like Zipp because she is funny and confident. Another thing I like about this show is that it includes everyone’s differences, which sends the message that even if you are different, you can still be friends and work together.

The message of My Little Pony: Mark Your Mark is that you have to do what is right and good for you and not what’s good for other people. Throughout the show, this is shown through Zipp’s character. She doesn’t know whether she wants to go back home and become a princess, or stay in Maritime Bay with her friends. In the end, she does what is right for her. My Little Pony: Mark Your Mark is family friendly and has a really good message that everyone, no matter who they are, will take away

I give My Little Pony: Make Your Mark 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8. You can watch this show on Netflix starting May 26, 2022. Be sure to check it out!

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”

Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jude A. comments, “As a movie that relies naturally on the technological advancements behind the aircraft used in the film, of course the Top Gun series progresses to new literal and figurative heights in its highly anticipated sequel.” Benjamin P. adds, “Top Gun: Maverick is nothing short of a miracle. This sequel to a movie from three decades ago is head and shoulders above its predecessors in sheer cinematic immersion and thematically has more on its mind: Legacy, family, love, loss, the ultimate costs of living like a maverick.” Katherine S. adds, “Top Gun: Maverick is a high octane, action-packed movie with secret missions, crazy “dogfighting,” and facing your fears. Given the spectacular cinematography, I highly recommend watching this on the biggest screen possible. If you really want to capture what it might feel like to fly in a naval fighter jet, watch it in IMAX 4DX, which is what I viewed it in.” Miguel C. wraps it up with, “The breathtaking film Top Gun: Maverick directed by Joseph Kosinski is absolutely stunning, from the actors to the set. It has a beautiful soundtrack by Lorne Balfe including Lady Gaga’s song, ‘Hold My Hand.’” See their full reviews below.

Top Gun: Maverick
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The breathtaking film Top Gun: Maverick directed by Joseph Kosinski is absolutely stunning, from the actors to the set. It has a beautiful soundtrack by Lorne Balfe including Lady Gaga’s song, “Hold My Hand.” The special effects and the different sounds that go with it make you think you’re actually there. I was definitely on the edge of my seat.  

The story features Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.  With 30 years under his belt as a top Navy aviator, Pete Mitchell is back.  Now he’s training the graduates for a very special and scary assignment in which no one knows if they will return home. Maverick must now confront many of his ghosts and fears, which means there will be sacrifices from those who he chooses to fly. 

Top Gun: Maverick is my official favorite movie—not only is one of the leading characters Tom Cruise, but the original Top Gun film was a phenomenon and number one in the world in 1986. The special effects in this sequel are absolutely everything.  l didn’t feel like I was watching a movie—I felt like I was part of it. The wonderful cast, the camera work, and everything else is very sharp. 

The message of this film is to not always think about the consequences of something, but instead to just do it. Kind of like: Go for it!  Don’t be scared—we have to live our lives to the fullest! Top Gun: Maverick has some sequences of intense action, and some strong language, but otherwise it doesn’t have anything to look out for. This is honestly a really good movie to watch all together with the family, but maybe not with the little ones. 

I give Top Gun: Maverick 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 18, plus adults. You can find it in theaters May 27, 2022. 

Top Gun: Maverick
By Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Top Gun: Maverick is nothing short of a miracle. This sequel to a movie from three decades ago is head and shoulders above its predecessors in sheer cinematic immersion and thematically has more on its mind: Legacy, family, love, loss, the ultimate costs of living like a maverick.

Top Gun: Maverick finds Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell (Tom Cruise) still living for the thrill of the flight, carrying the weight of a program that stands on the brink of being decommissioned with his daring unwillingness to be rendered extinct. Even as the very thing he loves doing puts him at risk every time he buckles into the cockpit, he hasn’t done anything else in the years since we last saw him. He’s sent back to Top Gun as an instructor by old pal Admiral ‘Iceman’ Kazansky (Val Kilmer), but his function is to teach pilots who’ve graduated the program to carry out a mission that forces to them use what they know and everything Maverick is there to teach them. There, he reignites a romance with an old flame (Jennifer Connolly) and reckons with the death of his best friend Goose by teaching his son Rooster (Miles Teller).

Top Gun: Maverick’s highs are rooted in the sensory experience of watching this movie. This isn’t a movie you watch, this is a movie that happens to you. Its technology and narrative are in harmony. Without the vision behind the way these flight sequences were brought to the screen, this movie wouldn’t be as compelling as it is. You’ll feel like your seat becomes the cockpit of an F-18. It’s that closeness we have to the pilots that makes all the in-flight action all the more engaging. You feel every dive, every turn, every maneuver because director Joseph Kosinski’s camera puts you right there. And the story on the ground is unexpected and moving. In what can sometimes feel like a deja-vu fest of direct callbacks to the original, and it works: Top Gun: Maverick uses that quality to its advantage. Maverick feels those same pangs of familiarity. We see him standing at a bar, watching his students size each other up, hoping to figure out the pilot hierarchy, knowing that decades before, he was doing the same thing as they are. He’s stuck in these cycles of his own making. And by being asked back to Top Gun, he finds another. Ultimately, Maverick lives for the flying, but not its accompanying sacrifices, and in this film he has too much in his life to lose it all. How they made Maverick such a richly-textured figure of regret and the promise of second chances is exciting to see.

The lesson of Top Gun: Maverick is to not be afraid to forgive and grow. Maverick stands on the precipice of true closure, but it’s his own pride and unwillingness to try that keeps him from patching up his fraught relationship with Rooster. Maverick can’t rectify his past until he puts pettiness aside and work to earn Goose’s forgiveness.

I give Top Gun: Maverick 5 out of 5 stars and can’t recommend it enough. And I give It an age rating of 10 to 18, plus adults, for some foul language and tense moments of aerial combat. The rumble of an F-18 engine complemented by the thawing of estranged bonds and the warmth of seeing old friends. That is the magic of Top Gun: Maverick—it flies into theaters May 27, 2022.

Top Gun: Maverick
By Jude A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

After years of delays, Top Gun: Maverick finally flies onto screens better than ever. “Better than ever,” as in, possibly greater than its predecessor in 1986. As a movie that relies naturally on the technological advancements behind the aircraft used in the film, of course the Top Gun series progresses to new literal and figurative heights in its highly anticipated sequel. The film perfectly evokes a sense of nostalgia,without getting distracted by the past. In addition, it gives us a lot to focus on in the runway ahead. Tom Cruise promised if he ever made a Top Gun sequel, the flying of F/A-18 aircrafts (the primary aircraft used in the film) would be completely real. Mr. Cruise completely delivered on that promise to new boundaries the viewers aren’t ready for.

Following the events from Top Gun in 1986, Top Gun: Maverick picks up with the iconic characters 36 years later. The story starts with Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) as his career flying planes has slowed down. He no longer works with the Top Gun academy, and helps a local Navy facility test advanced aircraft. When his charisma impedes his judgment (like always), Maverick destroys a highly expensive government aircraft. Soon after, Maverick is given an ultimatum; he can either be grounded by the Navy and never fly again, or he can go back to the Top Gun academy and teach a group of young pilots how to complete a highly dangerous mission. Later he goes toe to toe with his greatest challenge, providing closure to the son of his deceased best friend Goose.

In present day Hollywood, every film is trying to perfect the art of CGI and make it look as real as it could be. The beauty behind Top Gun: Maverick is the actual lack of CGI itself. The film doesn’t need to “look” real, because it already is real. Tom Cruise is known for completing his own stunts, and 100% upped his game by having the entire cast do theirs as well. Every actor playing a pilot went through months of diligent training, learning the ins and outs of flying F/A-18 aircrafts. The amount of effort provided by the actors to master aviation for the film is quite possibly unlike anything any actor has done before.

With a film that consistently performs death-defying stunts, it can be inferred that Top Gun: Maverick is incredibly intense. To add on to the layer of intensity, the film often engages with long action sequences (involving cursing and heavy violence.)  Comedic relief often pops up at random times to lighten mood, which creates a nice blend of thrills and humor. Since a large part of the story is about Maverick’s relationship with the son of his deceased friend Goose, a theme of closure is prominent throughout the film. The film also provides the moral that relationships can be repaired no matter the wall between them.

Top Gun: Maverick soars far past all expectations, really redefining the definition of stunts in present day Hollywood. I give Top Gun: Maverick 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. You can find Top Gun: Maverick flying onto your local theater on May 27, 2022. Buckle up!

Top Gun: Maverick
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Top Gun: Maverick is a high octane, action-packed movie with secret missions, crazy “dogfighting,” and facing your fears. Given the spectacular cinematography, I would highly recommend watching this on the biggest screen possible. And if you really want to capture what it might feel like to fly in a naval fighter jet, watch it in IMAX 4DX, which is what I viewed it in.

The second movie in the Top Gun franchise takes places more 30 years later, and Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is a test pilot for the Navy, that is, until he goes too far and gets grounded. But after his old frenemy, “Iceman” (Val Kilmer), pulls some strings, he doesn’t get discharged and instead teaches a team of twelve of the most skilled pilots – all graduates of Top Gun training school – to go on a high stakes mission to save the country. Because this movie is a sequel to Top Gun, I would recommend seeing that one first, as the characters, their backstories, as well as the plot, are an integral part of this movie.

If you thought the cinematography for the first Top Gun was insane, your mind will be blown during this one. The reason the film looks so realistic is because the actors are actually flying in the planes! The fight scenes are so astonishing to watch as the planes toss, turn, spin and dive. The movie has some serious moments but also has the perfect amount of subtle humor to lighten it a bit. Top Gun: Maverick demonstrates an on-screen presence of diversity with representation from people of all walks of life and ethnicities. The entire cast had strong performances, but my favorite come from Miles Teller (Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw) and Tom Cruise (Pete “Maverick” Mitchell). The beef and chemistry between Miles and Tom feels like it comes from such a real place, which is what makes both of their performances stand out the most.

The messages of Top Gun: Maverick are you need to work as a team to achieve your goals and, sometimes, you need to remember: “don’t think, just do”. This movie has violence, explosions, and death, as well as some profanity. I gained a lot of respect for people who work for the Navy from this movie.

I give Top Gun: Maverick 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults—especially fans of the original movie. It comes out in theaters May 27, 2022.

Top Gun: Maverick
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The breathtaking film Top Gun: Maverick directed by Joseph Kosinski is absolutely stunning, from the actors to the set. It has a beautiful soundtrack by Lorne Balfe including Lady Gaga’s song, “Hold My Hand.” The special effects and the different sounds that go with it make you think you’re actually there. I was definitely on the edge of my seat.  

The story features Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.  With 30 years under his belt as a top Navy aviator, Pete Mitchell is back.  Now he’s training the graduates for a very special and scary assignment in which no one knows if they will return home. Maverick must now confront many of his ghosts and fears, which means there will be sacrifices from those who he chooses to fly. 

Top Gun: Maverick is my official favorite movie—not only is one of the leading characters Tom Cruise, but the original Top Gun film was a phenomenon and number one in the world in 1986. The special effects in this sequel are absolutely everything.  l didn’t feel like I was watching a movie—I felt like I was part of it. The wonderful cast, the camera work, and everything else is very sharp. 

The message of this film is to not always think about the consequences of something, but instead to just do it. Kind of like: Go for it!  Don’t be scared—we have to live our lives to the fullest! Top Gun: Maverick has some sequences of intense action, and some strong language, but otherwise it doesn’t have anything to look out for. This is honestly a really good movie to watch all together with the family, but maybe not with the little ones. 

I give Top Gun: Maverick 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 18, plus adults. You can find it in theaters May 27, 2022. 

Experience the wonders of our world like never before in this epic docuseries from Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Prehistoric Planet combines award-winning wildlife filmmaking, the latest paleontology learnings and state-of-the-art technology to unveil the spectacular habitats and inhabitants of ancient Earth for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. The series is produced by the world-renowned team at BBC Studios Natural History Unit with support from the photorealistic visual effects of MPC (The Lion King, The Jungle Book) applied to concept art created by Jellyfish Pictures (The Book of Boba Fett, Spirit: Untamed). Prehistoric Planet presents little-known and surprising facts of dinosaur life set against the backdrop of the environments of Cretaceous times, including coasts, deserts, freshwater, ice worlds and forests. Travel back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and extraordinary creatures roamed the lands, seas and skies.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Madeleine H. comments, “I love this series!  The scenery in the docu-series Prehistoric Planet is breathtaking and majestic with a musical score composed by Hans Zimmer to match.  The rich narration by Sir David Attenborough tells the stories about dinosaur life based on the latest discoveries from paleontologists.” See her full review and talent interviews below.  

Prehistoric Planet
Madeleine H. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

I love this series!  The scenery in the docu-series Prehistoric Planet is breathtaking and majestic with a musical score composed by Hans Zimmer to match.  The rich narration by Sir David Attenborough tells the stories about dinosaur life based on the latest discoveries from paleontologists.

One could say Prehistoric Planet is “natural history meets wildlife adventure meets stunning visual effects” in a story about the inhabitants of our planet 66 million years ago.  The wildlife adventure takes place over five episodes featuring five regions of our planet in prehistoric times. You get to see dinosaurs living in their natural habitats, tending to their young, finding food and water and fighting for survival.  You will learn about these ancient relatives of creatures that exist today and how they interacted with each other and their stunning environments: coasts, deserts, freshwater, ice worlds and forests. You will discover your “new” favorite dinosaur each episode as they come to life with expression and emotion in a way you have never seen them do.

Producer Jon Favreau brings to Prehistoric Planet his talent for visual effects from such films as The Lion King and The Jungle Book, together with pioneering stories about the natural world from Mike Gunton, a producer at BBC Natural History, along with the talents of adventure and wildlife filmmaker Tim Walker.  It’s an immersive series that draws you in with its beautiful scenery and life-like dinosaurs, giving you a view of how they lived on Earth.  I had to remind myself that the dinosaurs are animated. 

With each episode we learn so many fascinating facts about dinosaurs, grow to love new ones and not like the behaviors of others.  Just like wildlife, there are prey and predators.  Yet each is majestic in its own way.  As with many wildlife natural history films there are scenes of aggression and violence that may be difficult for some audiences.

I give Prehistoric Planet series 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  Prehistoric Planet debuts globally on Apple TV+ from Monday, May 23 through Friday, May 27, 2022 with a new episode each day.

From award-winning creator Julian Fellowes comes the motion picture event Downton Abbey: A New Era. The much-anticipated cinematic return of the global phenomenon reunites the beloved cast as they go on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Heather S., comments, “It’s so incredible to return to the Downton Abbey era and the Crawley family. Each one is out of their comfort zone in this new movie, which is absolutely hilarious. It’s beautiful to see how much the characters have changed since the first time we met them in 2010. This movie focuses on relationships and characters that we haven’t seen that often.” See her full review and talent interviews below.

Downton Abbey: A New Era
By Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Crawley family returns once more! Downton Abbey: A New Era brings all our favorite characters together again in interesting circumstances. Fans will love what’s in store in this new film. 

Downton Abbey: A New Era focuses on the secret past of the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith). She comes into possession of a property in the South of France. Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and his family head to France to investigate why the villa was given to his mother. Meanwhile back at Downton, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) hosts a crew of filmmakers and actors who use the estate as a set for their new film. 

It’s so incredible to return to the Downton Abbey era and the Crawley family. Each one is out of their comfort zone in this new movie, which is absolutely hilarious. Lady Mary becomes a voice actress temporarily and seeing Robert hate the film crew for taking over his property is as funny as possible. The Crawleys have seen the times change and preparing for cinema to take over is amazing. It makes audiences realize how this generation saw life change so rapidly.

Tom Branson (Allen Leech) is happily married and some new couples flourish in the film too. It’s beautiful to see how much the characters have changed since the first time we met them in 2010. This movie focuses on relationships and characters that we haven’t seen that often. It’s refreshing to watch the pure relationship Daisy (Sophia McShera) and Andrew (Michael Fox) have and I loved watching fan-favorite Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) chase her love. The wardrobe is as spectacular as ever, even adding some Victorian pieces for the film being made at Downton. The comedy is brilliant and cunning, reminding us why we love Violet as much as we do.

There are many messages to take away here. Lady Mary learns to embrace the new era of filmmaking and life as she gets out of her comfort zone and realizes that it’s okay to try new things. Lord Grantham learns that, even though being Earl and having property is a big part of his life, it is not everything. He realizes how important his family is to him.

I give Downton Abbey: A New Era 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. It releases in theaters May 20, 2022.