{"id":11250,"date":"2023-10-09T04:17:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T11:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=11250"},"modified":"2023-10-12T15:26:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T22:26:55","slug":"little-heroes-hilarious-adventure-with-a-suspenseful-family-friendly-storyline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2023\/little-heroes-hilarious-adventure-with-a-suspenseful-family-friendly-storyline\/","title":{"rendered":"Little Heroes * Hilarious Adventure with A Suspenseful Family-Friendly Storyline"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Littleheroes.poster.jpg?resize=130%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11258\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:130px;height:170px\" width=\"130\" height=\"170\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A typical summer for four young friends becomes the adventure of a lifetime when they notice that something is amiss at their favorite swimming spot as their friends and family begin falling ill. \u00a0When they discover that the local factory is dumping harmful chemicals into the town&#8217;s water, they must expose the truth and figure out how to stop the pollution and save the town before it&#8217;s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, \u201cI really like the hilarious adventure film, <em>Little Heroes<\/em>. It has a suspenseful storyline that kept me engaged and is a wonderful comfort movie!\u201d Eshaan M. adds, \u201cThe casting of <em>Little Heroes <\/em>is a high point, as is its production quality. Coleman Christian as Robbie and Max Gerstenberg as Brewster are the stars of the cast; it\u2019s evident they paid attention to even the littlest nuances in playing their characters.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Heroes<br>By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FrlsAxFcr7M?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/LIttleheroes.a.png?resize=200%2C112&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11257\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:200px;height:112px\" width=\"200\" height=\"112\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I really like the hilarious adventure film, <em>Little Heroes<\/em>. It has a suspenseful storyline that kept me engaged and is a wonderful comfort movie!Th<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This film is about a group of friends attempting to save their whole town before a factory releases harmful chemicals into their favorite lake. Will it be too late to stop the corrupt factory?<br><br>The characters in the friend group are Robbie (Coleman Christian), Brewster (Max Gerstenberg), Grace (Ashtine Besteda), and Eric (Corban Jaaz). Other main characters are Diana (Alexa Feldman), Drew Brewster (Brian Stever), and Kerri Smithson (Brittany Goodwin). The characters&#8217; interactions are entertaining and they make me feel like I\u2019m in the scene with them. I really admire that despite hardships in their lives, Robbie, Brewster, Grace, and Eric always show up for each other. This is shown when Robbie has a deep conversation with Brewster about his dad working extra hours to make more money. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Littleheroes.c.png?resize=200%2C111&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11255\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:200px;height:111px\" width=\"200\" height=\"111\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Audiences could relate to this on a personal level. Robbie is a supportive friend, as are the others. I also like the diversity in the friend group. From interests to feminism, everyone in the audience is represented in some way in the group. They are all completely different but get along. Next, I applaud the director and writers, Brittany Goodwin, Doug Maddox, and Jeremiah Wiseblood. They created a suspenseful storyline with an interesting resolution (you\u2019ll have to wait and see!) The film is slow at times but it eventually picks up the pace. The camerawork is shaky when there\u2019s a lot of action, and closeups when the scene feels more intimate. The sets are well-made, too. I like their clubhouse because it looks like the perfect hangout place. The watering hole, town ice cream shop, and factory look realistic, as well. There\u2019s tension in the music when Brewster sneaks into the factory. All of these little details enhance the movie overall. My favorite part of the film is the characters Grace and Diana. They\u2019re both strong female leaders and I like their personalities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The message of this film is that community is the only thing that matters. Love comes before money, power, and success. Brewster\u2019s dad figures this out. Another message is that teamwork makes the dream work. Also, Robbie mentions to Brewster that he has \u201cfriends that love him,\u201d which is an important reminder.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>Little Heroes <\/em>4 out of 5 stars and recommend this for ages 8 to 12. <em>Little Heroes<\/em> comes out October 17, 2023 on VOD.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Little Heroes<br>By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CTLfASHiQ8Q?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/LittleHeroes.e.png?resize=200%2C124&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11253\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:200px;height:124px\" width=\"200\" height=\"124\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With a simple but engaging story and strong casting, <em>Little Heroes<\/em> is the perfect film to culminate your summer with!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Little Heroes <\/em>takes place in a small town where four young friends \u2014 Robbie (Coleman Christian), Brewster (Max Gerstenberg), Eric (Corban Jazz) and Grace (Ashtine Besteda) \u2014 are enjoying their summer break. Brewster\u2019s father works in a factory which gets a contract with the town government. He soon finds out that the factory plans to expand their operations, and as a byproduct, is dumping hazardous chemicals into a lake where his son and his friends swim. The friend group catches wind of this and realizes they must use their wits to find a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Littleheroes.d.png?resize=200%2C136&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11254\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:200px;height:136px\" width=\"200\" height=\"136\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The casting of <em>Little Heroes <\/em>is a high point, as is its production quality. Coleman Christian as Robbie and Max Gerstenberg as Brewster are the stars of the cast; it\u2019s evident they paid attention to even the littlest nuances in playing their characters. Director and producer Brittany Goodwin has taken all the pains to ensure that every audiovisual element of the film is perfectly tuned. The score by Andrei Shulgach comes off a little bit like stock music, but it does suit the film. It&#8217;s similar with the costumes, which fit the film\u2019s eclectic characters but somehow seem snatched out of a children\u2019s book. My personal favorite is the set design by Jennifer Dopp, Donald Imm and Craig Weaver, and the editing and color-correction by Justin Moe and Cinegach Studios. The town in which <em>Little Heroes <\/em>takes place looks picture-perfect, and every frame is vibrant. I also enjoyed how the plot came together; sure, it is predictable at some points, but there are other plot points (including a romance!) that come out of nowhere. The script feels a little bit forced and the chemistry between Brewster and his father doesn\u2019t really work for me; their relationship feels unnatural.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Littleheroes.b.png?resize=200%2C115&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11256\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:200px;height:115px\" width=\"200\" height=\"115\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Little Heroes<\/em> promotes teamwork, caring for our environment, and friendship. It also shows that our individual talents are what help us most in times of crisis. It\u2019s a great film for young viewers interested in conservation and those who are fans of realistic fiction. Parents should know that the children do wander around on their own in the film and do risky things like jumping into a biohazardous lake. Also, one character nearly drowns.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give<em> Little Heroes <\/em>4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases on October 17, 2023 on demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uVos4bKsyZ8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A typical summer for four young friends becomes the adventure of a lifetime when they notice that something is amiss at their favorite swimming spot as their friends and family begin falling ill.  When they discover that the local factory is dumping harmful chemicals into the town&#8217;s water, they must expose the truth and figure out how to stop the pollution and save the town before it&#8217;s too late.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, \u201cI really like the hilarious adventure film, Little Heroes. It has a suspenseful storyline that kept me engaged and is a wonderful comfort movie!\u201d Eshaan M. adds, \u201cThe casting of Little Heroes is a high point, as is its production quality. Coleman Christian as Robbie and Max Gerstenberg as Brewster are the stars of the cast; it\u2019s evident they paid attention to even the littlest nuances in playing their characters.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4949,15],"tags":[1001,7015,7008,7024,7010,7019,1783,7022,7013,7025,7017,7009,7011,7012,291,7021,7014,7023,7020,7018,7016,1166,385,6807],"class_list":["post-11250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-adventure","tag-alexa-feldman","tag-andrei-shulgach","tag-biohazardous","tag-brian-stever","tag-brittany-goodwin","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-cinegach-studios","tag-coleman-christian","tag-community","tag-corban-jazz","tag-craig-weaver","tag-donald-imm","tag-doug-maddox","tag-environment","tag-heroes","tag-jennnifer-dopp","tag-jeremiah-wisebloocfriendship","tag-justin-moe","tag-little-heroes","tag-max-gerstenberg","tag-movie-reviews","tag-summer","tag-teamwork"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-2Vs","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11250"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11267,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11250\/revisions\/11267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}