Watch Kids' Reviews of
WATTS SUPER SISTA GIRL

see adult comments

This comical film is a great spoof on superheroes. I like it film because it gives a tongue-in-cheek view of the rough life in Los Angeles neighborhoods, from the perspective of Venus, a young black girl who lives there. It shows the power of journaling to help kids express their thoughts and feelings, outside of their own heads. It's also a great way to record your life, for future reference. The film is well produced. The video and audio quality are quite acceptable. The costumes are very well done. I particularly like the homemade costumes that Venus wears. It shows a lot of imagination, using simple, in expensive materials that she probably found laying around. The costumes represent courage and the determination to succeed. The girl's hair decorations (ribbons and beads) are numerous and colorful and emphasize the importance of hairstyles to teens. Her hairdo really stands out as an artistic expression. The visual images of white substances arriving in a box and white powder flying around the kitchen fools the viewer. You expect the white substances to be illegal drugs, but it's actually just baked goods. The brother, Rasheed is funny singing rhyming rap songs while preparing food in the kitchen. It shows that rap can happen on or off the street! Another funny image of food is when a bully is gagged with a whole wad of licorice in his mouth. Venus has a private little sanctuary she relaxes in, away from her house. Here she dreams of a brighter future, where she can help the world both as a superhero (Super Sista Girl) and as the founder of a non-profit organization to fight cancer. She shows a lot of internal strength and is training to become a strong superhero. I like that the female protagonist has persistent hopes and dreams of a better life. I felt proud of her for bravely standing up and asserting herself to an arrogant teacher and male bullies in the park. A teacher negatively criticizes the girls for developing and speaking an Afro-American vernacular language He thinks they should speak a more real and widely accepted language. The girls argue his point to maintain their individuality and self-respect. The message of this film is to believe firmly in yourself, have pride in who you are, where you come from and where you are going in life. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18. I especially recommend it for urban kids who will probably relate to it most. Reviewed by Jeff M. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Jurors

A 12-year-old girl from Watts (urban Los Angeles), deflects bullies and her mom's illness by creating a friendship with Super Sista Woman, a fictional super heroine with a series on TV/stream. This is like Pippa Longstocking meets Boyz in the Hood.