Animation
Animated movie reviews
Megamind Review
This is the story about Megamind (Will Ferrell), a brilliant but unsuccessful supervillain. Megamind wanted nothing more than to conquer Metor City, but failed at every attempt, because of his arch nemesis and superhero Metro Man (Brad Pitt). During one of Megaminds evil attempts to conquer the city, he actually kills Metro Man. Megamind’s dream has finally come true, but he realizes that not having a superhero to fight makes his life pointless and boring. So he decides to create a new opponent and hero. The only problem is that this new hero would rather be a villain than a good guy. So now Megamind has to decide how to handle his new creation.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: February 25, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
This is a fun entertaining movie with a lot of good messages. Megamind had a rough childhood, he was very unattractive, not popular, and he was always picked last in school sports. As an adult he started to think that the only thing he’d be good at would to become an evil villain, and conquer the world. He eventually realizes that none of that matters, and that, “You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.”
Another message that Roxanne (Tina Fay), the cute TV reporter says, “As long as there is evil, good will stand up to it.” She also said, “The bad guy never gets the girl.”
Megamind said, “We never know how good we have it, until it’s gone.”
Violent Content:
There are a lot of action scenes with many fights, and explosions. Megamind shrinks people to small cubes with a freeze-drying ray gun. He has some other scary looking weapons. This may frighten some kids.
Profanity:
No profanity, not even potty humor that are typically in animated films.
I didn’t like Brad Pitt in an animated movie, he’s better on the screen. However, Will Ferrell and Tina Fay were great.
I interviewed kids ages 3 to 5 after the movie. Some comments were; “It was awesome, I loved it, It was so funny.” A mom told me that she loved the messages in the movie.
To sum things up, parents laughed, kids were quiet, and Brad Pitt didn’t get the girl…..this was a good movie!
Mars Needs Moms Review
“My mom washes my clothes, my mom vacuums, my mom tucks me in.” That’s what nine year-old Milo (voice of Seth Green) said when he discovered that his mom was captured by Martians.It all started one night when Milo and his mom (voice of Joan Cusack) had an argument, (Milo didn’t eat his broccoli), and Milo said, “My life would be better if I didn’t have a mom at all.” Milo soon came to realize that he really did need his mom, however the Martians thought they needed her more, so they grabbed her, and off to Mars they went. Now it’s up to Milo to rescue his mom from Mars, and let her know how much she’s loved and needed in their home….something all mom’s want love to hear.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: August 9, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
See a clip of my review here!
Talking Points
This movie is absolutely adorable. It’s a heartwarming movie, one for the whole family, with a blatant message about the importance of love, and that, “Moms are great and family is essential.”
After Milo told his mom, that his life would be better if he didn’t have her; he felt awful and immediately wanted to apologize, though it was too late. This could spark a good parent/child discussion. It was cute to see how determined he was to try to save his mom.
This film was very fun, with likable characters: Gribble (voice of Dan Fogler), another human stranded on Mars, was funny, and had a lot of good one-liners. He was Milo’s “best bud,” and very tech-savvy, which helped Milo later in the movie.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
• Some Martians shoot lasers at Milo and his friends.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
• Words like “dummy” and “jerk” were used.
I laughed and I cried in this wonderful animated movie. Parents will love the messages about love and family, and kids will love the characters and storyline. Mars needs his moms, but don’t we all! Good for all ages!
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted Review
Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman have been traveling far too long; they’re ready to get back to their home town…New York! After leaving Africa they end up in Monte Carlo, where they find their gambling penguin buddies. So now they’re all ready to head back to the Big Apple, however things don’t go as planned. Capitaine Chantel DuBois, the evil French animal control officer, finds the animals, and desperately wants to capture Alex; hoping to add a lion’s head to her wall of captured animals. To escape the officer and get back home, they end up joining a traveling circus. Now Alex and the gang not only have to run from the evil officer, they also have to take part in helping a troubled traveling circus improve their show; with the ultimate goal of getting back to their beloved cages in the Central Park Zoo. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is a wonderful, animated film for kids!
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 8, 2012
MPAA Rating:PG
Best Age Group:5 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points
Not only is this a funny entertaining movie for kids, there are some great messages woven throughout the film. The animals continually try to help one other, by being supportive during their circus events, and trying to make it the best it can be.
Alex helps the circus’s animal leader overcome his fears. While giving him an inspirational talk, the Pomp and Circumstance march was playing in the background. This was a very motivating scene.
The 3D effects were very well done. Kids will like the vibrate colors in the film, and the fun circus acts.
The theater was packed; the kids were very attentive and laughed at the comedic parts of the film, however parents may get a little bored.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two of the animals flirt with each other, and fall in love. While flirting one says, “Ooh, you have a very hairy back. I like that in a woman.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Animals crash through a glass ceiling in Monte Carlo, causing mayhem in a casino.
- There are car chase scenes as the Capitaine tries to capture the animals. We see vehicles tumbled and blown up, thrown through buildings.
- The Capitaine uses her dart pistol at the animals.
- A group of cute little dogs turns out to be a pack of mongrels. We see them fight with each other while threatening others.
- Knives are thrown
- The animals fight with the Capitaine. In one scene the bear hits her with a motorcycle wheel, she’s smashed between two elephants and falls unconscious off a raised platform.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Poopy,” and “heck” are said.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- When referring to a circus company, an animal says,” the members are drunk from their maple syrup.”
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is a fun animated movie for kids. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 5 and up. Parents need to be aware of the slapstick moderate violence.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Review
In the beginning of the movie we see a recap of the 1st movie(how Alex is separated from his family, he goes from Africa to Central Park Zoo). When the story starts the four main characters are in Madagascar ready to board a broken down plane to New York. They don’t make it far, end up in the plains of Africa,( in the middle of an animal reserve where Alex’s mom and dad live). Many surprises happen there, good and bad.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: February 6, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Like the first one, the movie highlights the importance of friendship. I read a review by David Schwimmer(voice of Giraffe). He said a question that was being raised throughout the film was: “What is the definition of home? Is it Manhattan? Is it Africa? Is it Madagascar?” Home for those guys is each other. They’re loyal to each other. They have each other, that’s what counts.
After Alex is reunited with his mom and dad they discover how little he and his dad have in common. His dad learns to appreciate and respect his son. Alex is a dancer not a fighter. Main point is: value who you are, follow your dreams and be proud of who you are.
The four main characters have their own story(subplot).
Lion-(Alex) is trying to prove himself to his dad. Alex is named heir to the throne- if he can prove himself in a rite of passage that involves fighting another lion, he assumes it’s a dance contest.
Zebra-(Marty) Trying to find his individuality among a herd of zebras.
Hippo-(Gloria) looking for love. She meets Motto, Motto, which means hot, hot.
Giraffe(Melman) is in love with Gloria.
Sexual Content: Mild
- King Julian makes sexual comments such as “I’m a lady, which of you is attracted to me?’” (He’s wearing a coconut bra and skirt).
- Gloria says she wants to sign up for the breeding program. She and Moto Moto talk in low and sexy voices with each other.
Violent Content: Mild
- Lions battling each other.
- Humans are also stranded in Africa. A tough granny punches Alex, he steals her cell phone. Penguins attack the grandma.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Jeez, “heck,” darn” and “oh snap” are used in the movie. There’s name calling such as: “loser” and “stupid.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Gloria drinks wine, there are champagne glasses on the plane.
Overall there is good music, with colorful and vivid landscapes. A lot of detail in the animals, which kids will enjoy!
Kung Fu Panda 2 Review
My dad used to say, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” In this sequel to Kung Fu Panda, we see our favorite Panda, Po, going through a tough time, and eventually learning how to deal with it. Po (voice of Jack Black) is now a Dragon Warrior; which means that he, along with his kung fu friends, The Furious Five, are to protect the Valley of Peace. Initially things are great, and they are enjoying their new life, until they found out an evil villain named Shen (voice of Gary Oldman) plans to use a secret weapon to conquer China and ban martial arts. Now it’s up to Po and his friends to seek out this villain, and save Kung Fu. This is an entertaining, fun movie for the whole family.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 26, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points
Po and Shen (the evil villain) both have some insecurities from their past of which they are both dealing with. I don’t want to give too much of the story away, however, there are some lessons in the movie which could spark some great parent/ child conversations. To name a couple:
• In this movie, we’re told that your story may not have a happy beginning, (like Po’s), but it’s who you choose to be. Po learns a lot about how to handle certain hardships, and eventually says, “You gotta let go of that stuff from the past, because it just doesn’t matter.” A good reminder for kids as well as their parents.
• Po doesn’t have any special powers or strengths, he’s just a regular guy who is a good friend and a good son; he wants to do the right thing.
Po is an adorable, likable character, one that kids will be entertained by. Po see’s disturbing visions of his past. We see him as a crying baby, being abandoned by his parents. This was sad, and may also disturb some kids.
Sexual Content: Mild
• Parents be prepared for some questions. In one scene, Po asks his dad, (who’s a goose), where he came from. His dad tells him that geese come from eggs, and then says, “Don’t ask where the egg comes from.”
Violent Content: Moderate
There is a lot of violence in this PG movie. One reviewer compared this movie to a Road Runner cartoon, and then comments; “You get the idea of the level and kind of violence we’re talking about here.” I couldn’t agree more. The violence consists of:
• Characters being punched, kicked and hit, while doing a lot of kung fu moves.
• There are fireballs and cannonballs used in many scenes.
• There is a lot of slapstick violence, similar to cartoons.
Crude and Profane Language: Mild
• Words such as “idiot” and “fool” are used.
Overall I think most kids will enjoy this animated action comedy, which is geared towards kids. However, parents may get a little bored. One man was snoring in the theater. With the fun characters and light humor, this is a good movie for kids ages 5 and up. Having said that, I feel that parents need to know that if their kids are sensitive to violent scenes, it might not be for them.