Fantasy

Fantasy movie reviews

The BFG-Kids’ Movie Review

Sophie is a ten-year-old girl living in an orphanage in London. Her life dramatically changes the night she’s kidnapped by Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance). Initially she’s terrified of the scary beast and is determined to escape, however as time goes on their friendship grows. The odd couple develops a bond as the giant shows Sophie a magical pond where he catches dreams and then releases them into the minds of the sleeping London residents. Meanwhile, the bad, cannibalistic giants snatch and eat the children of London, and when they smell Sophie’s presence in Giant’s Country, they want to eat her too. Now Sophie is on a mission to get rid of the bad giants forever! The BFG is based on Roald Dahl’s children’s classic novel…The BFG.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: November 29, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group:
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film starts out with a parent’s worst nightmare…a child getting kidnapped. However, as the movie progresses, we see that the giant is a warmhearted man who simply wants to protect and care for the young girl. Being said, kids that scare easily may be frightened by the bad giants as they kidnap and eat children.
The movie is long, and it is also slow in parts.

Sexual Content: Mild

The audience sees “Liz naked at my wedding,” written on a label of one of BFG’s dream jars.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

A giant kidnapping a little girl definitely has the tone of a scary movie. When BFG initially kidnaps Sophie, he reaches through a window and grabs her. Eventually they have a wonderful relationship and become the best of friends.
BFG gives Sophie a nightmare which involves a bad giant catching her and attempting to eat her.
The mean giants go through BFG’s home looking to eat Sophie.
BFG gets bullied by the big, mean giants.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see a group of drunk men stumbling home from the pub.
BFG loves a green champagne-like drink with bubbles that flow downward. It’s noted that the beverage has an effect on those who drink it – people pass gas and lift off their seat and in the air. Kids in the theater were laughing.

Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed a seven year old girl in the theater who loved the movie. She was aware of the premise of the film and didn’t think it was scary. Her parents liked it as well.

Overall, The BFG is an entertaining sci-fi, fantasy film. Depending on the child, I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 7 and up. The film may be scary for those who are sensitive.

Independence Day: Resurgence-Teen Movie Review

It’s been twenty years and the aliens are back as Fourth of July is quickly approaching. Scientist and alien defense expert David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000 mile wide mother ship and discovers that once again, aliens are approaching Earth. With the extraterrestrial technology and massive defense system the scientists and fighter pilots are on a mission to save the planet from another alien attack. Independence Day: Resurgence is the sequel to the 1996 film Independence Day.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5
Release Date: October 18, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It?

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss and hug. The woman jumps on her fiance and wraps her legs around him.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

Aliens destroy cities; building collapse and planes, ships and space stations are blown up.
Billions of innocent victims die.
The aliens are big large slimy creatures.
We see humans choked to death by alien tentacles.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “d–n,” “a–,” “b–ch,” and “h–l,” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters on a boat drinking heavily.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed two teenage boys who liked the action and suspense of the film. They like Independence Day as well.

Overall Independence Day: Resurgence is a dramatic action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content throughout the film.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows- Kids’ movie review

The beloved six-foot tall talking turtles are back…Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Leonardo, all of whom are named after famous Renaissance figures. These lovable teenage turtles live in the sewers below New York City, and were properly raised by a man-sized rat named Splinter. In this film the turtles face a new challenge as they must stop a mad scientist who plans to take over the world. The turtles along with their human allies prepare to battle the villains and save the world. Based on the 1987-1996 animated TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 20, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

April (Megan Fox) wears revealing outfits- short skirts and low cut tops

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

We see numerous fights throughout the film. Characters kick, punch, and throw one another.
We see vehicles blow up with people inside.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” and “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking shots and beer at a bar.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed kids ages 8 to 10 who all liked the film. They were not scared and they liked the action.

Overall this is an entertaining action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the violence and some profane language throughout the movie. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 11 and up.

Captain America: Civil War

The Avengers were born to protect and make the world a safer place. However things get complicated for the beloved superheroes. The United Nations wants to make an agreement which will establish a group to oversee and control the superheroes. This causes problems for the heroes; Captain America (Chris Evans) believes they should remain free without government control, and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) strongly disagrees, he’s okay with government involvement. Now the superheroes are divided and in an all out civil war. They’re not only fighting the bad guys, but they’re fighting each other.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 13, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are several intense and brutal fights throughout the film. Characters are beaten up, kicked, punched, thrown around, and shot to death.
A man is tortured and drowns as he’s hung upside down- above a sink full of water.
A man is found dead in a bathtub.
Superheroes fight with one another and fight bad guys.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” and “h–l,” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is an action packed film. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film.

Ratchet & Clank-Kids’ movie review

Ratchet is a Lombax who has big dreams. He claims he wants to do something big in his life, something that matters. So he and Clank, a pint-sized extremely intelligent robot, join the Galactic Rangers. The Rangers are a group of do-gooders who have lot to do! When the group discovers that an evil alien has a dangerous weapon and wants to destroy the planet, Ratchet & Clank team up with the Rangers to do the right thing and save the world! Ratchet & Clank is a wonderful animated film which is based on the 2002 video games, Ratchet & Clank.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 23, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film has a wonderful message; to follow your dreams and to do the right thing. It’s portrayed in a cute cartoony way which will appeal to kids. It also highlights the importance of friendship.

Sexual Content: None

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Robots and Ratchet fight one another.
We see a very powerful weapon blowing up planets.
Robots are destroyed by ray blasts and flames.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “idiot,” and “butt.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids/Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed two kids; a 10 year old girl who said, “I loved it,” and her 8 year old brother who also loved the film. He was really excited to see the movie!

Overall this is a very entertaining fun film for kids. Depending on the child I recommend this for kids ages 5 and up. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violence.