Animation
Animated movie reviews
Toy Story 3 Review
August is usually an emotional time for high school graduates and their parents, as the young adults prepare to leave for college. In this final movie of the Toy Story series, we see Andy preparing to depart for college as well. So what do teenagers do with their favorite childhood toys? Some may put them in a box for storage, while others may donate them, and that’s what Andy did. His beloved toys, that were supposed to go in the attic for storage, ended up in the “donate” pile, that went to a local daycare; including Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen). Andy’s gang of toys initially loved their new home, but as they gradually learned more about the daycare, they ended up unhappy with their new environment, so they planned an escape to find their friend and owner Andy.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: November 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
My husband and I have a few years before we have to think of our kids leaving for college, but we have nieces and nephews, and many good friends who have gone through this separation. It’s an emotional time when our children leave for college, and this was equally hard for Andy’s mom and his toys. The audience see’s how Andy’s toys deal with their sense of abandonment. The toys stick together, and help each other, while going through this emotional time…a good lesson for kids.
There’s a sentimental scene that shows Andy and his mom, in Andy’s empty bedroom, saying their goodbye’s to each other. Parents will relate to their sadness.
Kids and adults will love this movie. There are some pop-cultural references that only adults will get.
The movie has some funny parts as well.
- Spanish Buzz Lightyear
- Fashionable Ken and Barbie
Sexual Content: Mild
- Cute flirting with Ken and Barbie.
Violent Content:
- There are some intense action scenes that may scare younger kids. At one point it seems like our favorite toys will all perish.
- As in most movies there are “the bad guys,” these characters may also scare younger kids.
- In the daycare there are some “bully toys” lead by a bear named Lots-o’, and creepy baby doll. My 14 year old daughter said that as a youngster, she would have been scared in some of the intense moments of this movie.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
It’s been eleven years since we last saw Woody, Buzz and the gang. Many of today’s teenagers grew up with the “Toy Story” characters. Like everything, all good things must come to an end, and Pixar did a great job of concluding one of our favorite classic movie series.
This was an entertaining and emotional movie for the whole family to see. I give this movie five out of five buckets.
Toy Story/Toy Story 2 Review
We had Toy Story in 1995, Toy Story 2 in 1999, and now in 2009 they’re back, but this time in 3D. The story is exactly the same. In the first movie we meet a boy named Andy, and his wonderful toys that come to life when no one’s around. Woody(Tom Hanks) the likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear(Tim Allen) the fearless space ranger, are Andy’s favorite toys, though they are competitors both vying to be number one in Andy’s eyes. After a fun intermission, which consists of short clips and trivia, then Toy Story 2 begins, which starts off with Andy going to camp, and leaving his toys behind. Woody discovers that he’s a collectible from a 1950 TV show when and obsessive toy collector kidnaps him. Woody also meets the other prized toys from the show, and once again the toys experience many adventures together.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: October 5, 2009
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any Age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
I read that “the re-release is smooth, crisper and more vibrant for the new generation of children.”
It’s great that the new generation of kids will have the chance to see these movies on the big screen before the upcoming release of Toy Story 3, which comes out summer 2010.
These movies are only out for 2 weeks.
We see the first complete trailer, in 3D of Toy Story 3.
Both movies have pleasant messages of helping one another, kindness and humility.
The main theme throughout both movies is about toys rescuing toys.
Toy Story 1 and 2 are good wholesome refreshing movies that everyone will enjoy, both kids and adults.
I interviewed kids after the movies, and they all loved it. Their ages ranged from about 4 to 10. When the first movie was finished, the kids were still quiet and attentive ready for Toy Story 2. The parents said that the 10 minute intermission was very beneficial. I give both movies five buckets.
Tale of Desperaux Review
Based on a Newberry Medal winning childrens’ book. It’s about a tiny, brave mouse with oversized ears. He refuses to live the life of a typical mouse; he likes to read, (not eat the books like all the other mice), he’s not afraid of anything, not even cats! So he’s banished from his home for not following the rules that society expects of a mouse. He’s then rescued by another outcast, a rat named Rosco. Later he discovers that he is the only one who can rescue the endangered Princess,(Pea).
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: April 7, 2001
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
No one is limited by physical appearances. Depereaux is smaller than other mice, but more capable.
Mig, a homely peasant girl, who wants to be a princess, finds peace and serenity when she discovers she is a princess in someone’s eyes.
Despereaux learns to read and appreciate books. Through reading he learns a lot about nobility and courage.
Through the various quarrels in the movie, the king hurts the rat, the rat hurts the princess, the princess hurts the peasant girl. A simple apology resolves everything.
I read that the author said, “We’re always underestimating children, but those major themes of how to be brave, how to be courageous, how to love, how to forgive, those things are the constant themes in their lives, too.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Knights/sword fights.
- Viscous cat chases Despereaux.
- Princess is kidnapped.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Name calling, word such as “crazy” and “weird.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall it’s a wonderful movie for adults and kids. It’s a tale of bravery and forgiveness in which a little mouse can teach a kingdom.
The Smurfs Review
One would think that life as a Smurf would be trouble free, however, they have their share of problems too, especially when an evil wizard named Gargamel is after them. He absolutely hates the Smurfs, and wants to make their lives miserable. He eventually chases the adorable little blue creatures right out of their magical world, and right into the heart of Central Park. Now, stuck in New York, the Smurfs have to find a way back to their village, before the evil wizard captures them first.
Rating: Three out of five buckets.
Release Date: December 2, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, review of Cowboys and Aliens too!
Talking Points:
The Smurfs are very nice and friendly to each other. They appreciate each others similarities and differences, and for the most part they have a peaceful life.
While in New York, The Smurfs stay with a nice young couple, who are expecting a baby. Believe it or not the Smurfs teach them to enjoy life, and not get so caught up with their crazy workload. It was sweet to see their relationship.
I liked the actors, to name a few; Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays (from Glee), and Sofia Vergara ( who plays Gloria in Modern Family).
There is some potty humor. In one scene Gargamel urinates in a bucket, at a nice restaurant.
Sexual Content: Mild
- One Smurf thanks another Smurf for holding his hand, he replies back Smurf, “That’s not my hand.”
Violent Content: Moderate
- Smurf’s smack each other.
- Gargamel is hit with by nuts and apples with needles in them.
- The Smurfs get slammed in a subway car door, beaten in a toy store, and even sucked up by a leaf blower.
- Gargamel and his cat are evil cruel characters, they may scare young kids.
Profane or Crude Language: Mild
- The d-word is used.
- They have their own language; characters say, “where the smurf are we?” “smurf me” “son of a smurf.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking champagne.
Overall this is a cute movie, one that kids should be entertained by. Parents may get a little bored, but close your eyes just a bit and you’ll be fine.
Shrek Forever After Review
“What if?” “The Grass Is Greener on the Other Side.” These are common thoughts that at some point in life, we’ve probably all wondered. Now that Shrek is a family man, with a wife and three kids, he’s longing for the days when he felt like a “real ogre.” The evil Rumpelstiltskin, happens to hear Shrek’s complaint, and persuades him to sign a magical contract, which takes Shrek back to his more exciting past. Suddenly Shrek is in an alternate version of Far Far Away. In this new land, wicked witches reign, ogres are hunted, Rumpelstiltskin is King, and sadly, Shrek and Fiona have never met. Now Shrek has to undo this terrible predicament that he put himself in.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: December 7, 2010
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any Age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I thought this was a very creative way to end the Shrek adventures. Once Shrek’s life, that he had taken for granted, was gone, he realized the mistake he had made. There was a constant message to be content with your life, and realize the importance of family.
In the new version of Far Far Away, Fiona doesn’t know Shrek. When trying to win her over, Shrek discovers why he originally fell in love with her. Shrek said, “The best part of the day is I got to fall in love with you all over again.” This was so sweet and enduring.
The storyline with Puss in Boots was great. When I interviewed kids after the movie, they all mentioned how funny he was.
There are some violent scenes that may scare younger kids. For example;
The battles with the wicked witches and the ogres felt more intense, than the battles in the previous Shrek movies.
Rumpelstiltskin is a very evil, creepy character.
The witches are very cruel to Donkey, they continually whip him when he pulls their cart.
There is some potty humor; we see Shrek’s baby ogres burping and passing gas. Fiona constantly said, “Better out than in.”
Overall this is a wonderful family movie with a nice message of contentment. In the end Shrek realizes that the most important thing in life is being a good dad, and husband. A good message for us all. I give this movie five out of five buckets.