Animation
Animated movie reviews
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.
Monster’s University-Kids Movie Review
Kids typically have dreams of what they want to be when they grow up, or have a dream college they want to attend. Monster, Michael “Mike” Wazowski, dreams of being a scarer, a monster who is able to make kids scream. Mike eventually attends the Scare Program at Monster’s University, and that’s where he meets James “Sulley” P. Sullivan. The two monster’s have different strengths and weaknesses. Mike is an ambitious hard working monster, though not very scary, and Sulley is a natural scarer (he comes from a family of talented scarers), however he doesn’t have the best work ethic.Together the two monsters face various trials and tribulations, but they learn to work together and use their talents to succeed. Monster’s University is the prequel to the 2001 film Monster’s Inc. It’s a wonderful animated film, one for the whole family!
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: October 29, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
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 has wonderful messages of the importance of friendship . Mike and Sulley come to realize that they each have different strengths and weaknesses, they learn how to work together using their own gifts and talents.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- There is a lot of slapstick violence throughout the film. Mike drove a machine while reading a book, and ran over several students.
- Mike and Sulley get spanked with wooden paddles during their fraternity initiation.
- The premise of the film is monsters’ scaring children, which may ultimately scare young kids in the theater.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Characters say, “what the…?”
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking beverages at college parties out of red solo cups.
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall Monster’s University is a fun, entertaining film for kids. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 5 and up. Kids that scare easily may be frightened by some of the monsters.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2- Kids Movie Review
Flint Lockwood is back and still working on his unappreciated inventions. However things change when he invents his Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator. This was amazing, he could make food with just a little tap water and his machine. However things get complicated when his hometown gets buried under enormous ice cream-covered pancakes, gravy, hamburgers and mashed potatoes. Continue reading
The Smurfs 2- Kids Movie Review
The wicked wizard Gargamel (voice of Hank Azaria) is back, and he’s more wicked than ever. This time Gargamel has a new creation; a diminutive race of little stinkers, known as the Naughties. The problem is, he wants to transform them into Smurfs, but he doesn’t know the secret spell. Unfortunately, Smurfette is the only one that knows the spell to make the transformation happen. So Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and takes her to Paris. Now the Smurfs and their human friends go to the City of Light, with hopes to rescue their friend.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 2, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
The importance of family is the core message woven throughout the film.
Sexual Content: Mild
- A couple of the Smurfs flirt with each other.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There is some slapstick violence, brought on by Gargamel. He falls off the Eiffel Tower, gets crushed by a falling taxicab, and he’s even thrown to the sky by fireworks.
- Character’s are punched, tripped and hit in the head.
- Gargamel turns humans into animals.
- A gigantic cat tries to eat the Smurfs and humans.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Character’s don’t swear, but smurf is used in place of profane words such as; “son of a smurf,” “holy smurf,” and “Meryl smurfing Streep.”
- Name calling such as; “moron,” “dim-witted toad,” and “imbeciles” are said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s are shown drinking wine.
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall The Smurfs 2 is a fun, animated film for young kids. Parents may get a little bored, however the kids will be entertained.
Turbo-Kids Movie Review
Snails aren’t typically known for their speed, but that never stopped a misfit snail named Turbo. Turbo’s (voice of Ryan Reynold) life long dream was to race at the Indy 500, though an unrealistic goal. However, with hard work, perseverance, and an unexpected freak accident, Turbo’s dream was becoming a reality and a chance to race in one of the most prestigious motorsports in the world…The Indy 500. Turbo is a wonderful animated, suspenseful film for kids of all ages.
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: November 12, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Talking Points:
Follow your dreams, never give up, and persevere; these positive messages are woven throughout the film…great parent/ child conversation!
Sexual Content: Mild
- A female racing snail flirts with Chet. She also makes reference to her “booty, ” (her shell).
Violent Content: Mild
- Crows snatch the snails and take them away. It’s implied that the snails will be eaten.
- An upset elderly woman attacks a man by hitting and kicking him.
- There is a big car crash at the Indy 500.
- During a race, a race car driver tries to hit Theo.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking out of brown bottles labeled, “lager.”
Will it Appeal to Kids? Yes
Overall Turbo is a wonderful film for kids. With the wonderful messages, action and suspense; most youngsters will enjoy this film.