Movie Reviews
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"Battle For Terra" was not a box officie hit when it came out in early May. And I don't think too many people are going to rush out and buy it on DVD either.
"Terra" is about a planet named Terra and the creatures that live there. In the beginning of the film there is peace and harmony on the planet, but then it is invaded by humans, who are looking to find a new place to live because Earth was destroyed and the spacestation they live on is running out of oxygen. The people of Terra must fight back to save their home. A young girl from Terra and a human soldier become friends and they try to keep the two sides from killing each other.
"Battle For Terra" is definitely a drama, with serious subject matter such as war and death (there's a lot of death in "Battle For Terra"). I didn't expect the movie to be so serious.
The voice work is very good, led by James Garner, Dennis Quaid and Luke Wilson. The animation is outstanding (especially for a new studio - Snoot Entertainment) and the 3-D is nicely done. The scenes when it's snowing are simply beautiful.
But the movie simply isn't very entertaining, especially for kids. Older teens and adults who enjoy Science Fiction may appreciate it more, but still not enough to recommend.
"Battle For Terra" is rated PG for animated violence and adult themes.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Battle For Terra" gets a C+.
"Terra" joins "Coraline" and "9" in the category of "serious animated films" of 2009. All three of them are disappointing.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13) B
Most "X-Men" fans thought the franchise was over with the third film, "X-Men: The Last Stand" back in 2006. But the series continues with "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", which is sort of a "prequel."
In the movie we learn the whole back-story of Wolverine: We see him as a boy, then as one of several mutants with special powers working for the US Government and then finally we learn how he becomes the most powerful of the "X-Men" characters.
Of course Hugh Jackson is back in his role as Wolverine, looking a little different then the last time we all saw him - hosting the Academy Awards.
If you like action scenes, especially fighting scenes, then you'll love "Wolverine." It seems like every 5-minutes Wolverine is popping-out his claws and battling someone. There may be a few too many fight scenes.
The acting is O.K. but the story is pretty straight forward and predictable - the same plot we've seen many times before: super hero versus the evil military leader.
The special effects in "Wolverine" are pretty good, but nothing extraordinary.
"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is rated PG-13 for all of the action violence. Kids are going to want to watch this movie and it's pretty safe, I'd say, for anybody 8 or above.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" gets a B.
This was my first "X-Men" movie when I saw it in the theater this past summer. I may now go back and watch the others on DVD. "Wolverine" marked the start of the '09 Summer Movie Season, not in the style that "Iron Man" did last year, but it still did pretty well at the box office.
Earth (G) C+
"Earth" is the product of Disney's new spin-off company - DisneyNature. It's their first movie honoring our planet. And it won't be their last (more on that later).
"Earth" is a documentary about a year in the lives of the animals and planets that live on our planet. It specifically follows three animal families: whales, polar bears and elephants, as they deal with dangers and harsh conditions, while trying to survive the year. Actor James Earl Jones and his legendary voice narrate the film.
Visually, "Earth" is phenomenal. It's beautifully shot and we get to see images that you'd never think could be captured on film. The use of slow-motion and time-lapse photography add to the incredible look of the movie.
The problems with "Earth" are with the story-telling: Some of the scenes go on for too long and the individual stories of the three families aren't interesting enough to hold your attention. I have to admit, after a hour or so "Earth" gets a little boring.
Also, the film is a bit confusing as it goes back and forth from the different animal groups as they travel from different climates and seasons and hemispheres. It was tough to keep track of what month of the year it was when I saw the movie in the theater. Maybe on DVD it will be easier.
"Earth" is somewhat similar to 2005's Academy Award winning documentary "March of the Penguins", which followed a family of penguins through a tough year. But the difference is that you are more emotionally attached to the penguins that you are to the whales, elephants or polar bears in "Earth" because you don't get to spend as much time with them.
"Earth" is rated G. It's safe for the entire family, even the little ones, who will think the animals are cute. And parents: even though about a half dozen animals are killed by other animals in the film, those scenes are not violent and there's no blood.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Earth" only gets a C+.
DisneyNature's next film is "Oceans", which will be out on Earth Day, 2010. Once again it will be filled with dazzling footage of our planet's underwater creatures. Let's hope it has a better story to go with the great images.
17 Again (PG-13) D
If fans of Zac Efron (particularly young girls) watch this movie thinking they're going to see him as they did in the "High School Musical" films and "Hairspray" they're in for a major disappointment.
"17 Again" is about a 37 year old husband and father who's about to get a divorce, has two kids who don't like him and hates his job. He wishes he could go back to high school and live his senior year over again. And he gets his wish. Efron plays the man as the teen age boy.
The first thing I need to say is that "17 Again" is rated PG-13 for a reason. It includes inappropriate scenes, language and subject matter. Parents need to be warned before they buy/rent to this movie for their kids or let them see it at Amber's house.
And that's not the only reason not to see "17 Again." The movie isn't very good. The plot is so predictable, because it's a rip-off of so many other films, including "Big" and "It's a Wonderful Life." It's not funny at all, nor clever and the acting, overall, is just O.K.
I feel bad for Efron. While I'm sure he got paid a lot of money to do this movie, it's a bad role and he gets no support from the weak script. Very disappointing.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "17 Again" gets a D. Hopefully Efron will start selecting better movies to be involved with. He's got a great future, but not if he gets into too many more films like this one.
Dragonball Evolution (PG) D
I never thought a martial arts movie, based on a graphic novel about a boy trying to save Earth from total destruction, could be so CORNY!
"Dragonball Evolution" is terrible. The acting is cheesy, the special effects are goofy and the plot is so predictable I could see everything coming from a mile away. And dull? When I saw it in the theater I nearly fell asleep 3-times!
I'm not even going to tell you who's in it. I don't want to embarrass them any more than they already must be.
Here's how bad "Dragonball Evolution" is: When it came out in theaters in April it made that weekend's other family film - "Hannah Montana: The Movie", seem like an Academy Award nominee for Best Picture.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Dragonball Evolution" gets a D, and it was "this close" from getting my first F of the year.
Hannah Montana: The Movie (G) C+
The Disney-created phenomenon known as Hannah Montana and her real-life alter ego Miley Cyrus, are finally in an actual film, and if you're a huge fan, this really is a DVD you need to own. The storyline follows the TV show: Miley Stewart is living two different lives - she's a pop sensation and a regular teenager. She and her family travel to their hometown in Tennessee and Miley immediately likes it there...but she also has a hard time hiding her true identity.
Miley must decide to either be Hannah the celebrity or her real self.
The movie is rather predictable throughout and even though the script tries to be funny, those scenes don't really work.
The acting is o.k. I liked the supporting performance by Vanessa Williams, who plays Miley's mean agent.
Not being a fan of the show or of Miley Cyrus I was bored at times and also surprised that there were some serious moments.
I've always thought that "Hannah Montana" is a rip-off "The Lizzie McGuire Show", which was also a Disney production and made a star out of Hillary Duff. "The Lizzie McGuire Movie", which came out in 2003, was a much better film than this.
"Hannah Montana: The Movie" is rated G. Disney family-friendly from start to finish.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Hannah Montana: The Movie" gets a C+. If, however, you're a big fan of the show, it's probably a B+. And if you’re a big fan of Miley Cyrus‘s music…probably an A…because the movie is packed with songs.
Cyrus says she only wants to do one more year of the show and no more "Hannah Montana" movies. This film did only so-so at the box office so how the DVD sells may determine if there's another "Hannah" movie.
Monsters vs. Aliens (PG) B
DreamWorks Animation has had big hits with the "Shrek" and "Madagascar" films, and "Kung Fu Panda". "Monsters vs. Aliens" isn't one of their best, but it's still pretty good.
I'm sure you know the story by now: a woman named Susan Murphy gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day and she grows to nearly 50-feet tall. She's captured by the army and taken to a place where the army has been holding others monsters, so they can't hurt or scare regular citizens.
But, when aliens come to Earth and threaten to destroy it the government frees Susan and the other monsters so they can defeat the aliens and save the day.
The animation in "MVA" is great and the 3-D was fantastic on the big screeen, still pretty good on DVD. The best character is B.O.B. (who's voiced by Seth Rogan). He gets the most laughs.
The story is just O.K. There are some funny lines and inside jokes, but the movie is not as funny as "Kung Fu Panda". In fact, at times it gets a little serious and I was surprised by that.
The voice cast is excellent. Along with Rogan, Reese Witherspoon, Will Arnet, Hugh Laurie and Keifer Sutherland all lend their talents. They're all very good.
"Monsters vs. Aliens" is rated PG. There may be a few scenes that could be scary for very young kids, but they are very brief.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Monsters vs. Aliens" gets a B.
I had high hopes for "MVA" when it came our in the Spring, considering the trailers and all the hype, but it's a little disappointing. Certainly worth seeing, but not among DreamWorks all-time best. There is a B.O.B. short included with some DVD packages.
Race to Witch Mountain (PG) C
"Race to Witch Mountain" is not only based on a book, but it's a "re-working" of the 1975 movie, "Escape to Witch Mountain".
Dwayne ("Don't Call Me The Rock Anymore") Johnson stars as a taxi driver who helps a pair of teenage space aliens, who look like humans, try to get their spaceship back after they crash land near Las Vegas. The aliens need to return to their planet to stop their army from coming to Earth and taking over our planet.
The plot is very simple. In fact, so is the entire movie.
The acting is pretty bad. This is Johnson's second family film for Disney, following 2007's "The Game Plan". Neither script gave him much to work with. AnnaSophia Robb plays the alien girl and newcomer Alexander Ludwig play her brother. Both talk and act like we think aliens should talk and act, but it's too bad we don't get to see what they look like as aliens.
I also wish there were a few twists in the story, but there aren't. And a few attempts at humor fail miserably. There are loads of car chases and explosions but no great special effects, even with the space ship.
"Race to Witch Mountain" is rated PG, because of action-violence involving guns and a semi-frightening space creature. However, I think younger kids (ages 6-9) will like the movie a lot more than older viewers, who will likely find it boring.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "Race to Witch Mountain" gets a C. No reason to race to the video store or VOD to check it out.
A bit of a disappointment, but I didn't really have high hopes for it anyway.
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (G) C+
The first thing you should know is that I’m not a big fan of Jonas Brothers fan. Don’t like ’em, don’t hate ’em. Know a few of their songs. Would never buy one of their CD’s or see them in concert.
However, practically everyone else on hand when I saw “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” in the theater was a diehard fan, and they all had a great time.
The crowd, made-up mostly of girls from 6-16, screamed every time their favorite Jonas had a close-up. They sang all the lyrics and clapped along with the audience in the film.
The movie follows the brothers through one of their 2008 concerts at Madison Square Garden in NYC. We also get some “behind the scenes stuff”, but most of it is not very interesting, simply scenes of them getting mobbed by fans at different places in the city.
For Jonas Brothers nuts, seeing “The 3D Concert Experience” in the theater was “an event.” All of the girls I spoke with after the movie said they loved it. Some of them got their pictures taken in front of the movie poster in the lobby and some even kept their 3D glasses as a souvenirs. Obviously youre not going to get any of that at home. But the DVD does have plenty of extras to keep the fans happy.
Speaking of the 3D - it was excellent on the big screen. I have no idea how the at home 3D glasses will work. And I never will, since I won't be watching this movie again.
The worst part of “The 3D Concert Experience” for fans is that it’s too short - only 76 minutes. Ticket prices in the theater were very expensive - $15 for regular 3D, $17.50 for IMAX 3D! It makes the price of the DVD pretty reasonable.
The movie is rated G. It’s safe for everyone except Dad's who will be stuck hearing the movie blasting in the other room while they slumber parties are going on.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" gets a C+. But, if you’re a Jonas Brothers fanatic, it gets an A.
The Pink Panther 2 (PG) C
In 1963 writer/director Blake Edwards and actor Peter Sellers combined to create one of the most popular characters in the history of movie comedies: Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Now, 46 years later, Steve Martin took his second shot at playing Clouseau in "The Pink Panther 2".
The plot is pretty simple: Once again the legendary Pink Panther diamond has been stolen and it's up to Clouseau and a group of other top detectives from around the world to work together to find it, and the thief, known only as "The Tornado".
Just like in Martin's first Pink Panther movie in 2006, this version is filled with slapstick comedy. I'm not a big fan of slapstick comedy, especially when it isn't very funny, as in this movie.
The acting is o.k. In fact the cast for "The Pink Panther 2" is pretty impressive - Andy Garcia, Jeremy Irons, Alfred Molina, but the weak script doesn't give them much to do. The story is very predictable, so the comedy has to be great to make the film work, and it just isn't.
This is Steve Martin's first starring role since the '06 "Pink Panther." If he's serious about his acting he's got to get away from Clouseau and back to playing better characters in better movies.
"The Pink Panther 2" is rated PG for a few, brief, adult references and a few scenes involving guns. It's safe for all ages. If you're a fan of the series you'll certainly want to see it, but if not there are better comedy choices out on DVD right now.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, "The Pink Panther 2" get a C. Disappointing, considering the success of the 2006 version and the fact that Martin was one of the writers. My guess is there won't be a "Pink Panther 3".
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