When the witches are away, the mice will play. This is a fun piece narrated by Chris Rock and starring him and two excellent actors, Octavia Spencer and Anne Hathaway, in a fantasy based on a Roald Dahl novel. Kid-friendly, of course, but with suspense that is likely to be enjoyed by adults as well as children. […]
This is a fun animated movie that kids are likely to love (and some adults too, based on the guffaws I heard at the screening), with a couple of good messages. Two brothers live with their solicitous mother, getting along fairly well (except maybe for the older one’s bossiness toward the younger, and his chaotic way
This is a kid-friendly adventure with a delightful mixture of pure fantasy, thrills, magnificent scenery, and good-natured playfulness, while reminding viewers of the importance of home, family, memories, and paying attention to grief and hardship—all substantive values we want our children to learn. “Abominable” is a reference to a mythical creature supposedly living in the
After the toys have said goodbye to their previous child, Andy, they are getting used to their new child, Bonnie (Hahn). Woody (Hanks) is hurt that he is not the favorite toy for Bonnie like he was for Andy, but he still has protective feelings toward her, as he has come to have toward all the
Whereas in the first rendition of The Secret Life of Pets, a relatively simple story with lots of excitement is told, in Secret Life 2, the filmmakers opted to have three loosely related story plots alternating with one another. One story is about the main character Max having to adjust to his owner’s new baby and going for
The trailer for this film falsely states that this time around, “Pokemon” isn’t just for young kids. Despite casting Ryan Reynolds, whose most famous role to date is as a foul-mouthed superhero, “Detective Pikachu” is solely for children, 10 and under. From the director of “Goosebumps,” this is more of a pacifying adventure for young minds than
UglyDolls is not really about being ugly; it’s about being different or outside the mold. The message is worthwhile, but it takes a long time to get there, and the means of delivering it simply doesn’t measure up in terms of being interesting, entertaining, or inspiring. On the contrary, it seemed to me that I was enduring an
Wonder Park is a wonderful mixture of adventure, risk and daring-do, problem solving, optimism in the face of setbacks—even some philosophical musings (especially on the part of porcupine Steve in the voice of Oliver) and journeys into grief and depression. Ten year-old June (Denski) has a vivid imagination, which is encouraged by her mother (Garner) and
This production of the well-known story pleased the audience I was with, and there were lots of audible reactions from the kids, with applause at the end. I think it might be a hit at Christmas-time. The colorful animations, sets, and CGI effects; the Christmas messages that put presents and material things into perspective; and liberal doses
In our narcissistic age, it’s fitting that we have more films for kids about its consequences, particularly when Hollywood has such a draw. This animated film is about a “sidekick, a nobody” who has aspirations for greatness like the known superheroes enjoy. Robin (Menville) is chafing about his insignificance in the superhero world, and his team’s references