Animation
Animated movie reviews
The Secret World of Arrietty Review
Typically people go to the grocery store to buy sugar and other items they need but not Arrietty. Arrietty (a teenage girl) and her parents are borrowers. Borrowers are very tiny people who borrow things from beans’ (humans) houses in order to survive. They live beneath the floors of people’s homes until spotted by a bean (human). Then it’s time for the borrowers to move because humans can be dangerous! So when Arrietty was discovered by a bean, things dramatically changed for her and her parents. The Secret World of Arrietty is based on a children’s book called The Borrowers. This is a sci-fi, animated drama for kids.
Rating:3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Check out my review here, along with “This Means War.”
Talking Points:
I loved the friendship that Arrietty developed with Shawn, (the human teenage boy that spotted her). He was so sweet to Arrietty, and only wanted to protect her and her parents. Arrietty helped Shawn as well. He had a heart conditition and she taught him to be brave, and to fight for things you believe in. Great messages for kids.
Arrietty had a wonderful relationship with her parents. When she and her father first went out on their borrowing endeavor, Arrietty made a mistake when she dropped the sugar cube. Instead of getting angry and upset, her father said, “We all mistakes, I am very proud of you.”
The animation was very colorful and beautiful. I read that the book was set in Victorian England, and the film was set in modern day Japan.The Japanese garden’s were amazing and seemed so real.
The film was slow moving, and initially there was not much dialogue. I noticed that the little kids in the theater were getting antsy during the movie.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
- A scary cat snapped at Arrietty and a crow tried to attack her. The crow scene may scare younters.
- Arrietty’s mom was captured by a bean, and put in a glass jar. This was a creepy scene.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Name calling, “idiot,” was said once.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We saw bottles of wine in a character’s pantry.
The Secret World of Arrietty was a very sweet tale about family, friendship and love. I’m not sure the youngsters in the theater will understand all the wonderful messages; but my friend and I did, and we really enjoyed the film. This movie is appropriate for kids of all ages!
Rio Review
Linda (voice of Leslie Mann) and Blu (voice of Jessie Eisenberg), brush their teeth together, they gargle together, they eat breakfast together, and they go to the bookstore (which Linda runs) together; and they do this almost everyday. No, this is not a married couple, this is a grown women and her exotic pet bird, Blu. Linda found Blu when she was young girl living in Minnesota; now as a grown women, she still owns Blu, and it’s her best friend. One day things dramatically change for Linda and Blu when Tulio, a man from Rio de Janeiro, enters into their lives. He informs Blu that he’s the last male of his species, but told him not to worry, because there is a female of his kind, named Jewel (voice of Anne Hathaway) living in Rio. So in order to continue this rare species, Linda, Blu and their new acquaintance, Tulio, head to South America, where they meet many interesting people and have many unusual, tropical adventures.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: August 2, 2011
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
One thing I didn’t mention in the synopsis is that Blu cannot fly. This was never a problem for a pet bird living in Minnesota. However, it is a problem for a bird living in the jungles of Brazil. Without giving too much of the movie away, I just want to mention that it was inspiring to see how Blu handled his handicap, and overcame his fears; something parents could chat with their kids about.
Blu meets many interesting friends, three of whom are the voices of George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, and The Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am. As you can imagine these characters add a lot of humor, music and entertainment to the film.
The animation is absolutely amazing; with the vibrant colors of the birds, and the beautiful scenery of Brazil, kids will be enthralled by the sites!
Though the theater was packed with little kids and their parents, it was very quiet. Kids laughed at the humorous parts of the movie; other than that they were attentive to the suspenseful film.
Sexual/Inappropriate Content: Mild
- Blu’s friends try to set the mood for the mating couple, this may also spark some great parent/child conversations.
- There is some adult humor, however it will most likely go over the kids’ heads.
- Women wear skimpy costumes during a carnival show.
Violent Content: Moderate
- As in many movies, there’s a theme of good vs. evil. There are some “mean birds” and villainous characters in the movie that may scare kids.
- One character is a big bully. He terrorizes other animals, he threatens to eat a group of scared birds, and he also threatens a monkey clan.
- After Blu meets his mate, they are kidnapped by villains. When they eventually escape, they are handcuffed together, this may frighten young kids.
Crude/Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “butt,” “idiot,” and “shut up” are used in the movie.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Some characters were drinking wine at dinner.
Overall Rio (Rated G) is an entertaining movie for the whole family. Rio demonstrates the importance of friendship, courage and forgiveness. The outstanding animation and fun characters will entertain the whole family.
Rango Review
Who knew that a chameleon could have an identity crisis? Well, in this animated western comedy we meet a pet chameleon (voice of Johnny Depp), who feels like an outsider. Initially, he has lived his life in a terrarium, but always fantasized about becoming a hero. When he eventually gets out of the tank, he ends up in a gritty, western town called Dirt. In this town he becomes the hero he always wanted to be. He’s made the local sheriff, and decides that his name is Rango. However, Rango eventually realizes that it’s easier to dream about being a hero, than actually be one; as he tries to save this western town from their local outlaw, Rattlesnake Jake.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: March 4, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Not Recommended
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points
Rango is directed by the same director as The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In most animated films the creatures are cute and lovable, not in Rango. The creatures are disgusting with brown, decayed teeth, and leathery skin, which many kids will be scared of, and frankly, it’s not at all pleasant to watch for anyone. There are some saloon scenes where these creatures are smoking cigars and drinking. It’s implied that one guy passed out from being drunk
There is a lot of potty humor, which I typically don’t mind, however in this movie the humor is targeted towards adults and not kids. Some of the jokes are about enlarged prostates, laxatives and mammograms, which I feel most kids won’t even understand.
If I have to find a redeeming quality I would say there is a nice message that everyone needs to believe in something.
Sexual Content: Mild
In the beginning of the movie Rango is staging a play in his terrarium, which he typically loved to do. In his plays there is a headless and shirtless Barbie torso. He points to her chest and says, “Are those real?”
Violent Content: Excessive
The movie is set in an old western town. It’s a creepy, scary setting especially for a PG animated film. There are many scary scenes, but I’ll just mention one scene.
• Rattlesnake Jake grabs a girl, whom Rango likes, the snake licks her and says in a creepy voice, “I want to watch you die.”
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
• There is swearing in this animated film. Words such as “h**l”, “d$%m”, and “a@#” are said.
Overall I didn’t like this movie. It was an animated film, which I associate with kids, that was not geared towards kids. Parents were uncomfortable in the theater, some even took their kids and walked out. Which I would have done if I wasn’t reviewing the film.
Puss in Boots Review
How did Puss get those boots of his? In this wonderful, animated film, Puss in Boots, we learn a lot about that bad cat long before he ever meets Shrek. This is story about Puss (Antonio Banderas) and his courageous adventures with his long time friend, Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) and the street-savvy Kitty (Salma Hayek). This trio is on a mission to steal magic beans from Jack and Jill, grow a bean stalk, and get to the golden egg kingdom in the clouds, with hopes to steal the goose that lays the golden eggs. This is a hilarious and clever movie, one the whole family will enjoy.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: February 24, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
“Please do not let me down,” these are the words from Puss’s adopted mom after she finds out he was stealing beans. Despite Puss’s reputation, he is a good cat; it’s mentioned throughout the film that he wants to do the right thing and make his mom proud! This is a great message for kids!!!
In a flashback scene we learn that Puss was put in an orphanage as a tiny kitten. That’s where he meets Humpty Dumpty, who’s constantly being picked on and bullied by other kids. Puss sticks up for his bullied new friend; another great thing for kids to see.
In addition to the moral lessons that runs throughout the film, it is also a hilarious movie. From Puss’s dance moves, to his witty and silly humor; kids and adults will be thoroughly entertained.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Puss and Kitty have a “dance fight,” where they seductively dance together.
- Puss makes reference of his reputation as a lover.
Violent Content: Mild
- In this film Jack and Jill are evil, scary characters who threaten anyone who gets in their way. They hit Puss and his friends with swords and clubs. Jack and Jill may scare some younger kids.
- There are many sword fights; Puss loves to use his sword.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters are shown drinking alcohol in a pub.
Though Puss in Boots may have been your favorite character in Shrek, this is not another Shrek movie. This film has a new and entertaining twist, with some interesting new characters. I recommend this movie for the whole family, though parents need to be aware that the characters, Jack and Jill, may frighten young kids.
Monsters vs. Aliens Review
Susan, a cute California girl,(voice of Reese Witherspoon), is hit by a meteorite on her wedding day, and grows to 49 feet, 11 inches tall. Then, the military takes her away to their secret compound as a government test subject, and that’s where she meets a group of monsters. Rather than destroying each other, Susan and the monsters become great friends, as they’re trapped together. They are finally released when an alien robot lands on Earth, and the President of the U.S. enlists the monsters to attack the Alien Robot, and save the world.
Rating: Three out of five buckets.
Release Date: September 29, 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:
Initially the monsters seem scary and threatening to Susan, but as they become friends, the monsters transform into harmless, fun creatures. They love Susan, and will do anything for her, and Susan feels the same way about them.
The movie suggests lessons of friendship and self-sacrifice(it doesn’t matter what you look like). Susan’s parents are even supportive of her monster friends.
It’s a colorful animated action movie, with enjoyable characters and light humor.
The 3D affects were well-done.
Sexual Content: Mild
- When Susan starts to grow very tall, her wedding gown tears, though the dress stays on her, it looks like a revealing mini dress.
- Teenagers go parking at night, the girl wants to smooch a little, but they don’t, because a spaceship lands near them.
Violent Content: Mild
- Slight violence, especially when the alien robot destroy The Golden Gate Bridge, with cars and pedestrians on it.
- When the meteorite lands, it momentary crushes Susan.
Crude of Profane Language: Mild
- Exclamations are used, such as; “what the flagnod?” and “holy Cheez-Its!”
- OMG is used several times.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- One character mixes several bottles of alcohol, and makes a cocktail.
Adults may get bored, my friend saw it, and fell asleep. I also got a little bored so did my 11 and 12 year olds.