Animation
Animated movie reviews
Cars 2- Kids Movie Review
In Cars 2 we once again see star race car Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson), and his pal, tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) as they head overseas to compete in first-ever World Grand Prix. However, it’s not as easy as they had planned; Mater gets caught in his own adventure, as he accidentally gets involved in an international conspiracy to sabotage the big race car event. While Lightening is busy with the race, Mater travels from Japan to Europe in an exciting chase, as the whole world is watching his surprising and hilarious adventure. In this sequel, there are some new and colorful cars, for the whole family to enjoy.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 1, 2011
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:
There’s a message about the importance of friendships. One character says, “Whoever finds a friend, finds a treasure.” Lightening and Mater have a special relationship. Even though Lightening gets very frustrated with his ditzy friend, he learns to appreciate Mater’s good and likable qualities.
Though fun and entertaining, this film had more potty and slapstick humor than the first Cars movie. The kids in the theater seemed to enjoy, not sure about the parents.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Mater has a romantic interest, there’s a little innocent flirting going on between he and his girl.
Violent Content:
- Some cars are equipped with rockets and other spy gear, which resulted in many explosions and heated chase scenes.
- Some bad guys use gas to subdue Mater.
- Mater has a time bomb tied to his engine, this may scare young kids, you’re not sure if Mater will make it.
Crude or Profane Language:
- Words such as “idiot” and “jerk” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content:
- Cars go to a pub, and are served cocktail drinks.
Cars 2 is an entertaining movie for the whole family. With the likable, colorful cars, and a lot of adventure, kids will be thoroughly entertained. Having said that, I feel that the original Cars movie was better, and had an innocence about it that I enjoyed. Cars 2 had more crash scenes and violence; if your kids are sensitive to that, you may want to wait, otherwise it’s a good one to see at the theater this summer!
Arthur Christmas Review
So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night? That’s the question that many children have during the Christmas season; if you see Arthur Christmas you’ll find out…he is high-tech, that Santa!!! But behind all state of the art equipment that Santa has, this story center’s around Santa’s youngest son Arthur. He’s quirky and clumsy, but he has a heart of gold. One Christmas Eve night Arthur realizes something awful; a little girl does not get her gift, she was forgotten. Arthur is devastated, and will do anything he can so this sweet little girl won’t lose her faith in Santa. This is a fun heartwarming story, one that kids will enjoy, though parents may get a little bored.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: November 23, 2011
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:
Arthur is a great character. He’s a simple unassuming guy, who loves the spirit of Christmas.
There are some nice messages in the film about forgiveness, and determination.
Steve, Santa’s older son has an important job, he runs Christmas. The only bad thing about Steve is that he’s not concerned that they forgot a little girl, he says that it’s not a big deal.
Grandsanta teases Santa, calling him a “postman with a spaceship.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two elves kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- Some characters are attacked by lions.
- Arthur and his friends get shot at by a shotgun.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- An elf said that “children are stupid.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Grandsanta mentions that he likes whiskey.
Arthur Christmas is a movie that you can take your kids to and not worry about them being scared, or covering their eyes during the inappropriate scenes. It’s about kindness; and the consequences you get from helping people out…it will bring a smile to your face, it did for Arthur!
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked Review
Alvin, Simon,Theodore and the Chipettes are once again up to their usual shenanigans, however this time they’re on vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship. Things are going great until our little furry friends become “chipwrecked’ on a desert island. While Dave(their manager) frantically searches for them, he eventually realizes that the Alvin and the gang are singing and dancing, and making the best of a difficult situation. The Chipmunks embark on many adventures on the island, as they meet a castaway who adds a little spice to the Chipmunk’s journey. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a fun, musical comedy for young kids.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, plus Sherlock Holmes!
Talking Points:
There’s a wonderful message of the importance of family. Dave, who adopted the Chipmunks, takes his parental role very seriously. He risked his life to save the Chipmunks; something a parent would do for their children. Dave also claimed that he’s not their manager for the money, it’s because he loves them. Forgiveness is another message instilled throughout the film, this could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Great, entertaining music with songs such as; “Born This Way” and “Firework,” by Lady Gaga.
The previous two Alvin and the Chipmunk movies are rated PG, while this is rated G.
I enjoyed the movie, though I did hear an adult snoring a couple rows behind me.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The Chipettes get drawn into a dance-off with three human girls, there was a little sexual dancing.
Violent Content: Mild
- There is some slapstick violence; an example would be when Dave slipped on the ship’s deck, where Alvin had poured suntan oil. Dave continuously bumped and hit his head on something.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says, “I’m such a pain in the…”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s drink mixed drinks on the ship.
Overall, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a movie for young kids. There’s nothing inappropriate,it has a nice pro-family message, and most important, the kids will be entertained for 90 minutes! You may not find Gilligan or The Professor, but you will see some cute chipmunks on the island.
The Adventures of Tin Tin Review
The race is on…young journalist Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell) and Captain Haddock (voiced by Andy Serkis) are on a mission to recover a treasure from a sunken ship commanded by Haddock’s ancestor. However, they’re not alone, Red Rackham (voiced by Daniel Craig) was on the same mission, and he was very determined to beat Tintin and the Captain. The Adventures of Tintin is the first installment in the series, it is an adventurous, fun movie, with outstanding animation!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Release Date: March 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
See a clip of my review here, plus Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Talking Points:
Tintin was a tough, resilient character, who would do anything to help Captain Haddock reclaim his family fortune.
When Tintin was feeling down about himself, Captain Haddock told him, “There are plenty of people ready to call you a failure. Don’t say it about yourself!” Great parent/child conversation!
The animation was amazing, similar to The Polar Express and Disney’s latest version of A Christmas Carol.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- After being shot outside of Tintin’s door, a dying man leaves a message on a newspaper with his own blood.
- Onboard the steamer, thugs chase Tintin, while shooting him… bullets flying everywhere.
- Tintin has his own hand gun, and uses it when necessary.
- A flashback showed sword battles, with men being stabbed and hammered.
- Captain Haddock and Tintin were on a plane that crashed in the desert, Tintin was unconscious and headed toward the spinning propeller.
Crude and Profane Language: Mild
- Words,” d–ned” and “h–l” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Captain Haddock was an alcoholic, which was very obvious, and comical throughout the film.
This was a hard movie to review. As I previously mentioned, the animation was unbelievable; it was a well done film, with an interesting and exciting storyline. However, this is an animated film which people tend to view as children’s movies. However, there’s an uncomfortable amount of violence with swordfights, gunfights and explosions. So before sending your youngsters to this film, know that Tintin has a gun, and isn’t afraid to use it!
A Christmas Carol Review
“ A Christmas Carol” is based on Charles Dickens classic novel. This movie is an animated version of the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits with the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It’s a wonderful classic story that everyone should see. This animated 3D movie will attract younger viewers. There are many good lessons to learn from this Christmas story.
While scrooge is on his journey with the Christmas spirits, he is reminded of all the wonderful people who were once in his life, and who he shunned. He learns to appreciate life, and realizes his evil ways.
A good lesson for kids, not to idolize wealth and material things.
While most people hate and fear Scrooge, his underpaid employee and his nephew are loyal and forgiving, and always ready to welcome Scrooge into their lives.
Jim Carrey is amazing. He plays several parts; Scrooge, Christmases past, present and future.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear skimpy outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- While this is a wonderful Christmas story, there is a certain intensity, like the book, that may frighten children. One example would be when a spirit comes to visit Scrooge, he comes crashing into Scrooges bedroom carrying ghostly weights and chains. When he leaves, Scrooge looks out his window and sees dozens of spirits being tortured.
- When Scrooge it trying to escape the Specter of Death, and his hearse, Scrooge falls into a very deep open grave, this may also be disturbing to young viewers.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine
Overall this is a story about redemption that is a reminder for kids to help others, and to be a kind loving person. Because of the frightening scenes, I would recommend this for kids ages 8 and up. I give it 4 buckets.