Bunyan & Babe – Unique Storyline and Wonderful Message about Having a Voice
Travis (Johnny Orlando) and his sister Whitney visit their grandparents for the summer and stumble upon the evil plan of a greedy land developer (Kelsey Grammer) to steal the land of the town’s longtime residents. While running from one of the developer’s goons, Travis falls through a magical portal which transports him to the world of American hero, Paul Bunyan (John Goodman) & his pet ox, Babe (Jeff Foxworthy). Bunyan and Babe get wrapped up in a brand new adventure, and with the help of their new friends Travis and Whitney, they save the town. Together they learn firsthand that you don’t have to be big to do big things. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jolleen M. comments, “This movie is really unique and interesting. I have never before seen a plot quite like this. The events that happen are quite unusual and I really enjoyed how the ending turned out.” Katlyn M. adds, “I really enjoyed this movie which I found to be very inspiring. At a time where so many people feel their voices and opinions are not being heard, this movie can inspire kids and even adults to voice their opinions.” KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer Juanita wraps it up with, “I am not a huge fan of animation, however, the animated film Bunyan and Babe about an American folk hero, has changed my feelings and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.” See their full reviews below.
Bunyan and Babe
By Jolleen M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12
This movie is really unique and interesting. I have never before seen a plot quite like this. The events that happen are 
quite unusual and I really enjoyed how the ending turned out.
The film follows Travis (Johnny Orlando) who encounters some challenges when he goes to his grandparent’s farm for the summer. By accident, he travels to a different world and gets some big help from the legendary Paul Bunyan (John Goodman) and his talking blue ox, Babe. When they get back to the normal world, they realize that he didn’t just end up in a different world for no reason. He is chased after witnessing Blackstone, a magician, hypnotize a store owner and force her to sell her land to him. Blackstone’s bodyguard is the one who chased him. Eventually, everyone realizes that Blackstone and his brother, Norm Blandsford (Kelsey Grammer) a greedy land developer, are working together. They realize the problem is bigger than they initially thought.
I love how John Goodman’s voice perfectly fits what I think Paul Bunyan might sound like. His voice is deep and strong
like a macho man, which seems really fitting. I also liked how Travis (Johnny Orlando) uses his voice to help us know what Travis is feeling. For example, when Travis wants to help Paul Bunyan find Babe, his voice sounds really determined, which shows the audience how persevering he is.
The animation is spectacular. I particularly enjoyed seeing how the body language of each character shows what they are feeling. I also enjoyed seeing Blackstone’s hypnotic device on his hand. It is amazing how the animators made the light look like it was going toward the character and not just staying on the screen of the device. I almost felt like I was being hypnotized myself!
My favorite part of the film is when Babe escapes and starts drinking the toxic water. It amused me that he was so 
careless. I couldn’t believe that he didn’t see how the color of the water was abnormal and it looked really gross. It was funny to me when Norm Blandsford sees Babe who is just lying there, out cold.
This film’s message is one that many children and even adults can relate to – even though you are small, you can still do big things. This doesn’t only mean small size-wise. It can also mean small, as in just one person in a big world. This message encourages people to keep trying and to never give up, no matter what challenges are in your way, such as being small. The message can also inspire people to not limit themselves as to what they can do, because of things they can’t control, such as being small, not pretty, or not being smart. This message is very important and could help a lot of people get over their insecurities and be more confident in themselves.
I really enjoyed watching this movie and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to ages of 4 to 10. You can watch this fantastic film on Google Play on January 12 and in theaters February 3. You should definitely check out this awesome movie. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Bunyan & Babe
By Katlyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11
I really enjoyed this movie which I found to be very inspiring. At a time where so many people feel their voices and 
opinions are not being heard, this movie can inspire kids and even adults to voice their opinions. I hope kids who see this movie will be encouraged to stand up for what they believe, think big and become heroes. I will definitely watch this over and over.
Bunyan & Babe starts off like any normal 3D animated movie. It has many famous voices you will recognize. In the beginning, a boy named Travis played by one of my favorite YouTubers, Johnny Orlando doesn’t want to go visit his Grandpa (John Goodman) at his farm. Travis loves to play video games and is annoyed by his sister. His sister Whitney (Lola Wayne Villa) is a smart and active girl. Just like many brothers and sisters, they fight and think that the other sibling is annoying. Grandma (Kay Cole) and Grandpa are nice and sweet, like most grandparents. I love the relationship that Travis and Whitney have with each other and with their 
grandparents.
Norm (Kelsey Grammer) is a mean and horrible person who wants to build something big and bad on all the land in the town. Iris, Norm’s secretary, is sweet and caring. Before they get to their Grandpa’s house, they pick up Grandma who is protesting because Norm wants everyone to give him their property. Travis runs into some trouble throughout the movie, but learns a very important lesson – you don’t have to be big to do big things. The moral of this story is that you should fight for what you want, no matter what size you are. I can relate to that, because sometimes people think that kids don’t have a voice. But, I know that isn’t true and I always try to make sure my voice is heard. I give this movie five out of five stars because it has everything you could want in a movie. It is inspiring, heartwarming and funny. It teaches you to believe
in yourself. I recommend it for kids ages 5 to 18 and believe adults will enjoy this movie also. This has instantly become one of the best animated movies I have seen in a long time. I’m sure everyone that sees this movie will love it. I know I did!
Bunyan and Babe
Juanita Seon Leary, KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror
I am not a huge fan of animation, however, the animated film Bunyan and Babe about an American folk hero, has changed my feelings and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Of course, I am familiar with the story of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox which this is loosely based on. This is an entertaining and colorful adventure story with lots of comedy thrown in. I enjoyed the combination of the small town 
feeling with the magical world of giants – Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox.
The story opens with twelve-year-old Travis (Johnny Orlando) engaging in the world of technology while his mother gets him off to visit his grandparents on their farm in Delbert County. Travis is not anxious to make this yearly visit and urges his mother to send his little sister Whitney (Lola Wayne Villa) without him. Travis does not get his wish and finds himself without his cell phone and video games as he rides in the pickup truck heading to the farm.
Farm life is not Travis’ cup of tea. In a couple of days, he begins to get into the swing of things and enjoys the chores. His Grandfather surprises him with a bike which allows him to ride and explore the town where he discovers that a greedy land developer, Norm Blandsford (Kelsey Grammer) has been buying up the little country town and chasing the hard-working residents off their land. Travis has a run-in with one of Blandsford’s men and is chased into the forest where he stumbles upon a magic portal a hidden world where Paul Bunyan (John Goodman) lives. Because of his self-imposed exile for 100 years, Paul and Babe the Blue Ox (Jeff Foxworthy) reluctantly escort Travis back to the farm. Bunyan and Babe get wrapped up in a new adventure and together with Travis and Whitney set out to save the town.
In one scene Travis tells Paul Bunyan, he wishes that he could be a giant. Paul tells him “you don’t have to be big to accomplish big things.” This is the main lesson of this film. It shows how working together with others with the same goal can accomplish great things. I recommend this film for ages 5 to 12 and adults may enjoy it also. I give Bunyan and Babe 5 out of 5 Giant Stars. Bunyan and Babe will be available exclusively on Google Play beginning January 12 and in theaters Feb 3, 2017. Go check it out and enjoy the adventure.
