Animation
Animated movie reviews
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Review
Ahh young love. Ted(voice of Zac Efron), a 12 year-old boy, asked Audrey, (voice of Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams, what she would do if a boy showed her a real tree; Audrey replied, “I’d marry him.” That was it for Ted, he was on a mission to find out why the trees in their world were all chopped down, and he was determined to find a tree to show Audrey. He went to visit Once-ler, a strange creature who was involved with the tree debacle. While chatting with Once-ler, Ted learned the intriguing story of the Lorax,(voice of Danny DeVito), a charming creature who fought to save the trees. So now it was up to Ted to fulfill his goal, and get the girl. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, is a fun, entertaining movie for kids of all ages.
Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: August 7, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
The Lorax has caused some controversy because of the environmental message instilled throughout the film. Some commentators thought the message was over the top, trying to “indoctrinate our children.” Some adults may feel the same way, however kids will most likely enjoy this film. It was an entertaining movie, with some catchy tunes and fun characters. The theater was packed with young kids, who were all very attentive, while laughing at the humorous parts.
When Once-ler gave Ted the last tree seed, he said, “It’s not what it is. It’s about what it can become.” We all grow and learn in life, especially our children. A good lesson for kids.
It was annoying to see Once-ler’s family mocking and criticizing him; saying he would never succeed. When he became successful they were supportive, however when he failed, they left him.
Once-ler broke a promise to the Lorax, which ultimately hurt him. This could spark some good parent/child conversations.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Animated characters wore bikinis.
- Ted had a dream that he kissed Audrey, it was a sweet innocent scene.
Violent Content: Mild
- There was some slapstick, silly animated violence.
- Ted was threatened and chased by Mr. O’Hare, a business tycoon, who sold bottled city air. He may scare young kids.
- When Ted approached Once-ler’s house, he had to avoid an array of old machinery, loaded with dangerous blades.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall The Lorax is a cute entertaining film for young kids. It’s appropriate for kids of any age, though parents need to be aware of the mild, slapstick violence.
Brave Review
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: November 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Talking Points:
Great family lessons – Merida and her mother fought often but they really loved each other. Both Merida and the Queen learned to listen to each other.
The movie is fun, funny and action packed. Kids as young a seven seemed to enjoy it and were captivate by the movie.
The animation was stunning and 3D effects were well done.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two of the King’s Lords moon another character by lifting their kilts.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are numerous animated battles between men and also between men and bears. One battle is particularly tense and may frighten small children.
- There are scary beasts in the film, which may scare young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- The King drinks from a flagon.
- Merida suggests that her dad have some of the King’s wine.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was a fun entertaining movie for the whole family. However parents need to be aware of the moderate violence that may scare young kids. I recommend this film for kids ages 7 and up.
Princess and the Frog Review
“Princess and the Frog” is set in the city of New Orleans in the 1920’s. The movie is about a young hard working girl, Tiana, who wants to fulfill her and her late father’s life long dream of someday opening their own restaurant. However, when she encounter’s the lazy, but charming, Prince Naveen, they magically turn into frogs. Tiana and the Prince have many adventures and meet a lot of fun characters, as they seek help to become human once again.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: March 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The movie has a lot of laughs and great messages. The film emphasizes the value of love over material wealth, and Tiana continually stresses throughout the movie that you get what you want from hard work and perseverance. She say’s, “Wish and dream with your heart, set your mind to it, you can do anything.”
The music was phenomenal. Very catchy jazz and gospel tunes. All the original music on this film was done by Randy Newman, who has done most of Pixar films for Disney.
I think most adults will enjoy the movie. It was fun to see the 1920’s New Orleans setting, Mississippi steamboats, and wonderful bayou’s.
Tiana, is the first African American Disney Princess. The movie lightly touches on social and racial divisions of the time.
The characters are very entertaining. There’s Charlotte, Tiana’s best friend, who’s a very spoiled wealthy girl, only wanting to marry a Prince. Then there’s a trumpet playing alligator and a lovesick Cajun lightening bug. They add a lot of humor and wonderful music to the movie.
The animation was colorful and well-done.
I have 2 negative comments; it’s a little long, 1 hour and 35 minutes, though the music should keep the kids attention.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Innocent flirting and smooching.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are images of evil spirits and fire-breathing masks, that may scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Heck” and “dang” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and champagne.
I brought my 10 year old son, who thought it was okay, and my two nieces. My 16 year old niece thought it was a sweet Disney movie, okay to watch, while my 6 year old niece said, “It was good.” My sister-law also liked it, and really enjoyed the music, and the New Orleans setting, as most adults will.
Overall it’s a fun, entertaining movie for all ages. I’m giving it 4 buckets!!!!!
ParaNorman Review
Norman is a different type of kid; he’s popular, however not with the living. Norman is popular with zombies and ghosts.He not only speaks to dead people and understands them; he’s also very nice to them. The townspeople of Blithe Hollow think that Norman is a strange kid who continuously speaks to himself. His parents don’t understand him, and his teenage sister thinks he’s weird. Then one day Norman is accosted by his smelly, hairy uncle. His uncle tells him that it’s up to Norman to stop a witch’s curse which was conjured up to 300 years ago. If he doesn’t stop this curse, the dead will rise from their graves. Now it’s up to Norman to become a hero and save his town from this ancient curse. ParaNorman is an animated, comedic horror film for kids.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 buckets
Release Date: November 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The premise of this film is a little creepy; a boy speaking to ghosts and zombies; however it has a very clear and powerful message to be kind to one another. It highlights the fact that if you’re upset and angry with someone you will be miserable – don’t let your anger consume you and get the best of you. The film also focuses on the problems of bullying, acceptance of others, and most importantly forgiveness!!!
Norman’s dead grandpa says to him, “There’s nothing wrong with being scared, Norman, as long as you don’t let it change who you are.”
Norman tells a witch that it’s okay to be different, that differences make us who we are, and gives us the power to help others. Great parent/child conversation.
This film may scare younger kids as Norman has many encounters with ghosts. Having said that, many of the scenes are portrayed as silly rather than gory. Kids were laughing throughout the film.
Norman first sees the ghost of his uncle in a toilet bowl; this was a very strange scene.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Norman’s sister flirts with a big muscular guy.
- Another character tries to impress girls by break dancing; he also talks about an adult video store.
- Norman tells his parents that Courtney (Norman’s sister) hides pictures of the high school quarterback in her underwear drawer.
Violent Content: Excessive
- The zombies are scary looking and rotting away. Ones ear falls off.
- There are battles with the zombies and the living, we see the zombie’s body parts flying all over the place.
- Villagers assault the zombies, and try to burn down city hall.
- Aggie (a witch) has dangerous powers. She caused wooden thorns to pop up from the ground, almost impaling Norman.
- We see Norman watching a movie, in the movie there is a zombie attacking a women.
- As Norman tries to retrieve a book from his uncle’s corpse, he repeatedly knocks the dead man’s head on a table.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as “a–,” and “sucks,” are said, and one character says “the f-word.”
- Name calling such as, “diarrhea mouth,” “stupid,” “fatty,” and “weirdo,” are used. Character’s also say “boobs.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the strange premise, which may scare kids, and also the moderate profane language. Depending on the child, I’d say this is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits Review
Pirate Captain (voice of Hugh Grant) and his misfit crew, are on a mission…to win the ultimate pirate title: “Pirate of the Year.” More determined than ever to defeat his rivals, the Captain realizes he might not have what it takes to win the coveted award. However, things change when a young scientist, Charles Darwin, informs the Captain that his beloved parrot is really a dodo bird, and the last remaining one at that. Darwin convinces the Captain to take the bird to London and show the Queen, where he will receive reward money for the bird; which should be enough to win “Pirate of the Year.” Little did the Captain know that Darwin and the Queen have their own agenda, one that does not bode well for this hapless, carefree Captain. The Pirates!Band of Misfits is an appropriate movie for kids ages 8 and up.
Rating: 1 buckets out of 5
Release Date: April 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
I was not a big fan of this movie, however there was one redeeming quality which was highlighted at the end of the film; the value of friendship and forgiveness. Captain Pirate thought he wanted fame and fortune, though he came to realize that’s not what makes you happy.
The animation and 3D effects were very well done.
I read that the director was asked if this was a kids’ movie; he responded by saying, “we make films just for people.” I felt the film wasn’t geared toward a target audience. There weren’t any cute, fun-loving characters for youngsters, while I think kids ages 10 and up will find it strange and boring.
Sexual Content: Mild
- One character wears low cut shirts and form-fitting outfits.
- One of the pirates is a women, disguised as a man. She has a crush on Pirate Captain.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There was a lot of slapstick, silly violence throughout the film.
- The Queen was cruel and evil.
- Charles Darwin gets tarred and feathered.
- We see a giant whale spitting out a pirate.
- There’s a sword fight scene between the Queen, and several other characters.
- Pirate Captain is almost beheaded by the Queen. This scene may scare young kids.
Crude and Profane Language: Mild
- We hear phrases such as, “hell’s barnacles,” and “banana butt.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Character’s are shown drinking beer and wine in many scenes.
- We see Pirate Captain drunk after a night at a pub.
As I previously stated this was not a cute, fun animated film for kids. Parents need to be aware of some moderate violence. The film is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.