Musicals
Musicals
The Book Of Life-Kids Movie Review
Who will Maria (voice of Zoe Saldana) marry? Manolo (voice of Diego Luna), a sensitive guitar player whose family wants him to be a ruthless bullfighter, or Joaquin (voice of Channing Tatum) Manolo’s best friend. Both men are madly in love with Maria, however things dramatically change when Manolo is bitten by a poisonous snake. He travels through the underworld on a Mexican holiday called The Day of the Dead. This is a magical day when the spirits of the departed return to earth to receive gifts from living family members. Now Manolo sees a whole new world, but the only thing he really wants is to return to his true love and win her heart. Narrated by a museum tour guide, The Book of Life is an animated film about death, the afterlife and true love.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 17, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids? No
Talking Point:
- The characters are good people who strive to do right thing. One character says that true hero’s are selfless. The story highlights the importance friendship and love.
- The animation is great with cute and colorful characters.
- With the mature and deep subject matter of death and the afterlife of the Mexican culture, kids may get bored. There’s also a romantic element to the story, which may not appeal to kids.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two couples kiss.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Though this is a story about death, we only see on person die.
- We see characters pounded and beaten.
- We see prayers for the dead, skeletons, afterlife worlds, and a godlike Candle Maker. Though animated, parts may scare young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking wine.
- A stumbling character says he was at four different bars.
Will it Appeal to kids? No
- This is an animated film with an adult storyline. Overall I don’t think it will appeal most kids.
Rio 2-Kids Movie Reviews
“Happy wife, happy life,” a well known phrase and a motto that Blu (voice of Jesse Eisenberg) tries to live by. In this sequel to the 2011 film Rio, the beloved birds Blu, Jewel and their three kids leave the city of Rio de Janeiro and journey to the Amazon rainforest. On there way they come across many adventures as they run into Blu and Jewel’s former nemesis, Nigel the cockatoo; who wants to seek revenge on the Macaws. Things get even more complicated upon their arrival when they see Jewel’s father. Now Blu not only has to deal with vengeful Nigel, but even worse he must try to fit in with his father-in-law…which isn’t easy. Rio 2 is a fun adventurous animated movie for kids of all ages.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5
Release Date: July 15, 2014
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes
Talking Points:
The film stresses the importance of family and friendships.
The colorful scenery, fun songs and entertaining characters will appeal to young kids. Having said that teens and adults may get bored.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
- We see huge tractors trying to run over two characters; fortunately they escape.
- Dynamite is attached to a number of trees. Blu cuts the explosives and flies them away before they detonate.
- Nigel, Blu’s nemesis, threatens to use poisonous excretions to seek revenge.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Potty words such as “poop,” and “pooping,” were used; which the youngsters found very humorous.
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Characters drink champagne.
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes
Overall this is a fun and entertaining film for kids of all ages.
Muppets Most Wanted-Kids Movie Review
Berlin, Madrid, Dublin and London…the Muppets take their tour to a whole new level, they travel overseas!! Things are going well as their concerts are selling out all over the world. However the beloved Muppets get involved with an international crime caper, who happens to be a Kermit the Frog look a-like. Things get complicated for Kermit and company as Kermit is mistaken for this evil criminal. Muppets Most Wanted is a sequel to the 2011 movie The Muppets. It’s an entertaining film with fun music and wonderful characters.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: August 12, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes
Talking Points:
The importance of family and friends are woven through the film. Kermit’s gang eventually realize how much they miss Kermit’s loving and endearing qualities.
Kids will be entertained by the fun loving character’s and catchy tunes, while adults will enjoy the comedy and well known actors.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- There is a lot of slapstick violence. We see the evil frog using his karate skills on human guards.
- A character has a bomb, we see several explosions.
- A large freezer flattens Fozzie Bear into a bear rug.
- Miss Piggy grabs Constantine and throws him around.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will it Appeal to kids? Yes
Overall this is a cute entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the moderate slapstick violence throughout the film.
Frozen-Kids Movie Reviews
Princess Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), soon to be Queen, and Princess Anna (Kristen Bell), are not only sisters, but best friends. Though things gradually change as Elsa developes secret powers. She has the ability to create snow and ice, with a simple touch or even a thought. When her powers get out of hand, their entire kingdom of Arendelle is cast into eternal winter, so Elsa goes into hiding to be alone. Now Anna is on a mission to find her sister and save their kingdom before it is too late. Frozen is a wonderful animated film, one the whole family will enjoy.
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: March 18, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
What is love? That’s the premise of the film. One character says that love is putting another’s needs before your own. We see sacrificial love demonstrated throughout the film; with Anna sacrificing her life for her sister, the snowman sacrifices his life to help Anna, and the ice salesman, Kristoff, sacrifices his life for Anna.
There are great messages woven throughout the film, a character said that “People make bad choices if they’re mad, or scared, or stressed.” “True love brings out the best.”
In addition to the wonderful messages, the film is fun and entertaining with great music.
The theater was filled with young kids, teenagers and adults. I interviewed people after the movie, they all loved it!!
Sexual Content: Mild
- Character’s are shown kissing.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Characters get hit, thrown around, and even fall off a cliff.
- We saw sword and icicle fights. One character was almost impaled by an icicle.
- Characters were attacked by wolves.
- There’s a large snow monster that may frighten young kids. However he’s only in a few scenes, not the whole film.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking champagne at a ball.
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall Frozen is an entertaining, heartwarming film. Depending on the child, I recommend this movie for kids ages 5 and up. Parents need to be aware of some of the moderate violent scenes in the film.
Step Up Revolution Review
Emily Anderson (Kathryn McCormick), a beautiful women in her twenties, has had a life long dream of becoming a professional dancer. When her wealthy father temporarily moves to Miami for business, Emily comes along to audition for the prestigious Winwood Dance Academy. Things don’t go as planned; Emily falls in love with Sean (Ryan Guzman), a local Miami boy who happens to lead a dance crew called “The MOB.” This crew was practicing their dance moves to win a You Tube contest, where they can win $100,000. Problems arise when Emily’s father threatens to develop The Mob’s historic neighborhood with luxury hotels and prestigious shops, which will displace thousands of people. Now Emily must decide if she should be a loyal and supportive daughter, or join Sean and The Mob as they protest to save their neighborhood. Step Up Revolution is the fourth installment of the Step Up movie series.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: November 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The dancing is amazing! I especially liked Emily’s classical dancing.
Emily and her father have their differences, though they communicate with each other, and have a healthy, loving relationship.
The Mob often ‘breaks the rules,” a motto they frequently use when trying to find various dance locations. ( Not a great example for kids).
The film is a little corny, and very predictable. There’s not much to the plot; it’s really about the dancing, and that’s what makes the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- Set in Miami, we see characters in skimpy bikinis and formfitting outfits.
- Emily and Sean kiss several times.
- There are several sexual dance moves.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Sean and his friend get into a fist fight.
- There are violent dance scenes. In one scene the dancers are dressed as policemen and gang members; they mimic shooting each other, and have explosive sound effects.
- In one dance scene, the mob throws smoke grenades while wearing gas masks. “REVENGE” flashes on the screen. This is a creepy, intense scene that may scare kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “A–,” “h–,” “d–n,” and “b–ch” are said two or three times each.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Young adults are shown drinking beer, wine and mixed drinks throughout the film.
Overall this is an entertaining dance movie. It’s a “step up” from the previous films with the addition of the classical dances.Parents need to be aware of some of the inappropriate sexual and violent and dances. I feel this film is appropriate for kids ages 12 and up.