{"id":11471,"date":"2023-11-22T02:21:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T09:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=11471"},"modified":"2023-11-27T16:21:54","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T23:21:54","slug":"leo-a-coming-of-age-story-seen-through-the-eyes-of-a-schools-class-pet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2023\/leo-a-coming-of-age-story-seen-through-the-eyes-of-a-schools-class-pet\/","title":{"rendered":"Leo * A Coming-Of-Age Story, Seen Through The Eyes Of A School\u2019s Class Pet"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"135\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/EN-US_LEO_Teaser_BreakingOut_Vertical_27x40_sRGB_PRE.jpg?resize=135%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11472\" style=\"width:121px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Actor and comedian Adam Sandler (Hotel Transylvania, The Wedding Singer) delivers signature laughs in this coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school \u2013 as seen through the eyes of a class pet. Jaded 74-year-old lizard&nbsp;Leo&nbsp;(Sandler) has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle (Bill Burr). When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students \u2014 including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Madeleine H. comments, \u201cI love the movie&nbsp;<em>Leo<\/em>&nbsp;\u2014it is funny and relatable. Leo is a coming-of-age story, seen through the eyes of a school\u2019s class pet, as much as it is a coming-to-terms with aging story.\u201d See her full review and interviews below. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leo<br>By\u00a0Madeleine H.K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11<\/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\/hOySTsc1his?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\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_055_48_08_11.png?resize=300%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11476\" style=\"width:222px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_055_48_08_11.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_055_48_08_11.png?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I love the movie\u00a0<em>Leo<\/em>\u00a0\u2014it is funny and relatable. Leo is a coming-of-age story, seen through the eyes of a school\u2019s class pet, as much as it is a coming-to-terms with aging story.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The story features Leonardo (Adam Sandler) and Squirtle (Bill Burr) who are quick witted, full of jokes and the best classroom pets ever.\u00a0 Leonardo, Leo for short, overhears a parent saying that lizards live up to 75; at age 74, Leo decides it is time to escape and live his life to the fullest.\u00a0 In comes strict \u201cold school\u201d substitute teacher Ms. Malkin (Cecily Strong) who wants to teach the 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0graders responsibility by taking turns to care for the classroom pets over the weekend.\u00a0 Each reluctant 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0grader who takes Leo home discovers his secret, along with wisdom about who they are and how they can better fit in the world.\u00a0 Every student returns Leo to the classroom and Squirtle is his biggest fan, boosting Leo\u2019s spirits and outlook on his caged life.\u00a0 When his secret is revealed, jealousy and distrust seeps in and Ms. Malkin, who feels the most threatened, takes Leo away.\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\/LzDrN99d-S4?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=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_053_27_22_02-1.png?resize=300%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11474\" style=\"width:222px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_053_27_22_02-1.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_053_27_22_02-1.png?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Each 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0grader experiences positive change after their time with Leo and, in return, Leo experiences living like he never has before.\u00a0 The animation is colorful and realistic, from the background scenery to the small details like how a\u00a0 caterpillar is depicted.\u00a0 Each of the actors who play the 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0graders fits their character from their personality to their hair and body type. I especially liked Summer (Sunny Sandler) with her fast-talking, super sweet kindness, as well as the overly \u201cgreat\u201d and popular Jayda (Sadie Sandler).\u00a0 The little balls of energy that represent the kindergardners are on point.\u00a0 And from the overprotected, super-safe, drone-watched home of Eli (Roey Smigel) to the over-the -top, mega-great mansion of Jayda\u2019s family, it is easy to get a sense of each character from their surroundings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The musical element of\u00a0<em>Leo\u00a0<\/em>propels the characters into songs that tell of their struggles, hopes and dreams while moving the story along in a beautiful way. I like the opening song that expresses how the last year of elementary school is about being on top and the melancholy song toward the end of the film each 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0grader sings about when they were younger.<\/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\/jxUspsd5qOo?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\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_57_24_29_21.png?resize=300%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11473\" style=\"width:222px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_57_24_29_21.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/LEO_Unit_57_24_29_21.png?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While facing his mortality, Leo learns the important lesson that he has a lot of life experience to share. He is transformed from a grumpy old lizard with nothing to show for his 74 years to beloved friend and confidant who discovers he has many more years ahead of him.\u00a0 Another theme of<em>\u00a0Leo<\/em>\u00a0 is in the significance of not underestimating yourself and the film delivers the message to live an authentic life by sharing your talents and being true.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give\u00a0<em>Leo<\/em>\u00a05 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults.\u00a0<em>Leo<\/em>\u00a0releases on Netflix November 21, 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The animated musical comedy &#8220;Leo&#8221; features Adam Sandler as a 74-year-old pet lizard facing his last year of life in a Florida elementary school. However, instead of escaping his terrarium to experience life, he gets entangled in his anxious students\u2019 problems. The film is a relatable coming-of-age story and also about coming to terms with aging, receiving a 5 out of 5 rating from KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. The movie releases on Netflix on November 21, 2023.<\/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":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4949,15],"tags":[6413,7201,7203,3077,1841,22,7195,7202,1783,7199,7209,7207,7206,7208,7196,7197,7194,7198,7193,1166,547,346,7205,7204,7200],"class_list":["post-11471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-adam-sandler","tag-adam-sandler-thanksgiving-song","tag-allison-strong","tag-animated-movie","tag-animated-movies","tag-animation","tag-bill-burr","tag-bill-burr-podcast","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-cecily-strong","tag-corey-skelton","tag-coulter-ibanez","tag-david-wachtenheim","tag-gloria-manning","tag-happy-madison","tag-kids-movie","tag-leo","tag-leo-movie-2023","tag-leo-on-netflix","tag-movie-reviews","tag-netflix","tag-pixar","tag-robert-marianetti","tag-robert-smigel","tag-roey-smigel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-2Z1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11471","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=11471"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11478,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11471\/revisions\/11478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}