KIDS FIRST! News

Three young girls try to stick together as they get trapped in a sea cave filled with crashing waves, hundreds of sea lions, and giant elephant seals.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hanadie K. comments, “I love The Island of Lost Girls! Its captivating storyline, outstanding performances by young actresses who fearlessly handle their own stunts and breathtaking cinematography on a remote island make it a must-see family thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.” Selene W. adds, “The Island of Lost Girls is a strange juxtaposition of a childhood “Mission Impossible” combined with “Survivor.”   As a viewer I felt a bit lost in this film. The storyline follows three orphaned girls who seek adventure together on the beach in California.”  Gavin S. wraps it up with, “The Island Of Lost Girls is an action-packed film that is a roller coaster of emotions and lots of plot twists. I really enjoyed this film because of the lessons you learn, and the adventures you take. The storyline is filled with exciting moments that make the whole experience even better.” See their full reviews below.

The Island of Lost Girls 
By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I love The Island of Lost Girls! Its captivating storyline, outstanding performances by young actresses who fearlessly handle their own stunts and breathtaking cinematography on a remote island make it a must-see family thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The storyline follows three young sisters who accidentally become stranded on a remote island, battling nature’s dangers and wildlife as they strive to stay together and survive a thrilling, unplanned adventure.

I like the originality of the storyline, which engaged me throughout. The girls’ resilience in the face of challenges adds depth to the narrative. The only drawback is that the film runs a bit long which makes it difficult to maintain its intensity.  The cinematography completely immerses the audience in a captivating world with breathtaking shots that showcase the remote island’s wild beauty and close-ups that intensify emotional moments, such as the sisters’ struggles. The camera effectively captures encounters with wildlife, like sea lions and elephant seals, which adds to the film’s tension. Dynamic camera angles within the sea cave enhance the sense of adventure and danger.  The costumes suit the storyline perfectly – given the girls being stranded on a remote island, they primarily wear wet bathing suits throughout the film. The remote island off the coast of Baja, California, serves as a breathtaking and immersive setting with its rugged coastline, sea caves and natural wildlife, such as sea lions and elephant seals; it creates a sense of realism that enhances the adventure and peril of the girls’ journey.

One standout location is the sea cave, which becomes the story’s central element of tension and wonder. The dark, labyrinthine passages of the cave, illuminated by natural light, add a sense of mystery and danger.  The background music, featured music, and sound effects enhance the film’s storytelling. Notably, the music intensifies during critical moments, such as when the girls face danger or navigate treacherous waters, effectively building tension. The natural sounds of the sea, waves and wildlife make the audience feel intimately connected to the characters and their struggle for survival. The central characters are portrayed by real-life sisters Autumn Schmidt, Avila Schmidt and Scarlet Schmidt. The sisters are carefree and adventurous at the start, embarking on a fun day at the beach. However, their characters transform significantly as the story unfolds, and they become stranded on the remote island. They evolve from carefree individuals into determined and resourceful young girls who have to rely on one another to survive. Each sister faces personal challenges and fears, and their growth is evident in their ability to confront and conquer these obstacles. This film benefits significantly from the collaborative efforts of the filmmaker family, with parents Ann-Marie Schmidt and Brian Schmidt directing and co-writing the film alongside their daughter Avila Schmidt. Their combined talents result in a cohesive and emotionally engaging narrative, and excellent performances by their daughters, Autumn, Avila, and Scarlet.  My favorite part is when the girls dare to escape from their house to sneak to the beach. This scene captures their adventurous spirit and sets the tone for the entire film. It’s a moment filled with excitement and anticipation as the sisters embark on what they believe will be a carefree day of fun. The scene effectively establishes their characters and close bond, making it a memorable and engaging start to their remarkable journey.

The film’s message is about the strength of family bonds and the ability to adapt and grow in the face of adversity. It highlights the power of unity and determination and the importance of facing challenges together. It conveys that, even in the most challenging situations, the support and love of family can help individuals overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Note that the film does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate. The girls perform dangerous stunts and engage in water activities that require caution and expertise. 

I give The Island of Lost Girls 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available on VOD and DVD October 3, 2023. So look for it! 

The Island of Lost Girls 
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

The Island of Lost Girls is a strange juxtaposition of a childhood “Mission Impossible” combined with “Survivor.”   As a viewer I felt a bit lost in this film.  

The storyline follows three orphaned girls who seek adventure together on the beach in California. The story begins with an adoption interview with the oldest daughter Avila (Avila Marie Schmidt) which turns out to be unsuccessful when the couple realizes that Avila has two younger sisters and they are not ready for that kind of commitment.  The middle sister, Autumn (Autumn Fiore Schmidt), declares it’s going to be “a grand adventure, I promise” and her words are truer than anyone could predict.  As the girls sneak out together to overcome their disappointment about the failed adoption, they encounter wildlife and dangerous situations after they are caught in a rip current and pulled away from shore.  Luckily, they overcome these situations and learn to survive together on a remote island.

The cinematography, under the direction of Heatha McGrath, is outstanding and really highlights the beauty of the island and wildlife.  I really love all the interesting camera angles and wildlife footage – the location is incredible.  The camera work is outstanding. I like how they included all the childhood flashback scenes.  I should mention that the film is truly a labor of love by the entire Schmidt family. The parents, Ann-Marie Schmidt and Brian Schmidt direct and co-write the film and the girls are all played by their three children, Avila, Autumn and Scarlet. The music by Cali Wang drives the emotions in the film and the three girls contribute musically as well.  You cannot find three more independent, fearless and adorable girls who I easily fell in love with.  Their interaction is genuine and makes you want to be part of their family, especially the youngest, precocious Scarlet. The girls’ adventures include unbelievable and dangerous scenes against the ocean waves and currents combined with local wildlife such as sea lions. Scarlet interacts closely with elephant seals which are dangerous and fighting.  Avila and Autumn scale cliffs and maneuver through dangerous caves and Autumn falls from dangerous heights in more than one scene which makes their adventure seem more like a dangerous mission.  In spite of all that, the girls learn to survive on this island and to scavenge resources and food from wildlife and what is available to them.  

The film’s message is that love is unconditional and demonstrates how you can be independent and take risks while supporting one another in the spirit of love.  Most of the film shows and even glorifies dangerous behavior for young children such as the girls performing dangerous stunts and water activities. There is very little adult supervision shown, which makes it doubly dangerous.

I rate The Island of Lost Girls, 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18.  It is available on VOD October 3, 2023.  

The Island Of Lost Girls
By Gavin S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

The Island Of Lost Girls is an action-packed film that is a roller coaster of emotions and lots of plot twists. I really enjoyed this film because of the lessons you learn, and the adventures you take. The storyline is filled with exciting moments that make the whole experience even better.

The storyline follows three orphan sisters, Avila (Avila Schmidt) Autumn (Autumn Fiore) and Scarlet (Scarlet Schmidt) – these three sisters are waiting to be adopted. After being rejected Avila feels bummed, and to cheer her up Autumn helps them sneak out to the beach. They are having so much fun until something horrible happens that causes them to go on an unexpected journey.

This action-filled film is full of risk-taking moments. The action is phenomenal, and the girls show that, even though they are young, they can still act. I also really enjoyed the plot twists, and this film is filled with them. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, they got much worse. For example, when Autumn is hanging off the edge of the cliff, I thought it would be another cliché moment where she gets saved, but she doesn’t. Another thing I enjoyed is the storyline. I like how it is so unpredictable. Apart from all these positives I did notice that in some scenes that it appears the sea lions are added in post-production. Although it isn’t very noticeable it is something that bugged me. Also, in multiple different scenes they seem to use the exact same clip of the sea lions. It certainly appears that way. Another thing that bothered me is that when the girls first get stranded in the ocean Avila’s hair switches from dry to wet from one scene to the next, without showing why or how. This is a bit of a spoiler but, I don’t like the ending where the girls end up not being saved, but instead they learn to survive.

This film has many messages, but the most interesting and true-to-life is that, with the support of a family member you can do anything. As a warning to anyone wanting to watch this film it does contain some gore.

I give The Island Of Lost Girls 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 through 12. It releases on VOD on October 3, 2023.

The Island of Lost Girls
By Nathalia J. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

The Island Of Lost Girls is a must- see family thriller with a captivating storyline, outstanding performances and breathtaking cinematography.  I was engaged from start to finish.

The storyline follows three young girls who try to stick together as they get trapped in a sea cave filled with crashing waves, hundreds of sea lions and giant elephant seals. It presents an intriguing premise that explores themes of resilience, friendship and the power of the human spirit.

Set against the backdrop of a remote and mysterious island, the story unfolds with suspenseful twists and turns, which kept me at the edge of my seat continuously. With its vivid descriptions, well-developed characters and a narrative that seamlessly combines elements of doubt, drama, and personal growth, The Island of Lost Girls offers such excitement. As the girls strive to find a getaway, they stumble upon a remarkable sight, a massive elephant. This unexpected encounter introduces a sense of awe and mystery to the story. It remains to be seen how the girls will interact with this colossal creature and whether it will play a central role in their quest to leave the cave. Throughout their journey, these girls must rely on their resourcefulness, bravery, and ability to collaborate to survive and ultimately find their way back to safety.

The film explores themes of friendships, perseverance and the invulnerable nature of the human spirit when faced with adversity. This film is a remarkable production by a family. The girls are portrayed by real-life sisters Autumn Schmidt, Avila Schmidt and Scarlet Schmidt. The film is directed by their parents, Ann-Marie Schmidt and Brian Schmidt; Brian also co-writes the film with their daughter, Avila Schmidt. The film’s cinematography truly catches graceful scenes that highlight the natural beauty of the island and close-ups that show emotional reactions when the sisters face all the challenges thrown at them.

The film’s message is about empowerment and independence. As the girls find themselves isolated on an island, it showcases their resilience and ability to thrive despite as castaways. I also feel like the girls experience self-discovery as they process their true self and values when they face obstacles and have to confront their fears. I do want to point out that the girls and shown doing quite risky things in and around the water that kids should not imitate.

I give The Island of Lost Girls 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available on VOD and DVD October 3, 2023. Check it out!

The children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful game developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, leading them to become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hanadie K. comments, “Wow! Spy Kids: Armageddon is an action-packed, family-friendly adventure that takes the beloved Spy Kids franchise to new heights. Directed by the visionary Robert Rodriguez, this film combines thrilling spy missions with heartwarming family moments, making it a fantastic addition to the series.” See her full review and interview below.

Spy Kids: Armageddon
By Hanadie K, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Wow! Spy Kids: Armageddon is an action-packed, family-friendly adventure that takes the beloved Spy Kids franchise to new heights. Directed by the visionary Robert Rodriguez, this film combines thrilling spy missions with heartwarming family moments, making it a fantastic addition to the series.

The film follows the next generation of Spy Kids, Nora Torrez (Gina Rodriguez) and Terrance Tango (Zachary Levi)’s children, tasked to save the world from a diabolical villain’s doomsday device. The young cast, led by talented newcomers Connor Esterson and Everly Carganilla, brings fresh energy to the franchise. The action sequences are exhilarating, and the gadgets are as ingenious as ever, providing a visual spectacle that left me on the edge of my seat.

Spy Kids: Armageddon excels in production elements. The imaginative sets, cleverly designed spy gadgets, and visually stunning special effects create a world that feels familiar and full of surprises. Standout performances by Everly Carganilla as Patty Tango-Torrez and Connor Esterson as Tony Tango-Torrez add depth to the cast, and their chemistry with the lead characters is delightful. Rodriguez’s signature style shines through in the film’s direction, keeping the pace engaging and fully immersing the audience in the Spy Kids universe.

At its core, Spy Kids: Armageddon delivers a positive message about teamwork, family and believing in oneself. The young spies face challenges and make mistakes, but ultimately learn and grow from their experiences. 

I give Spy Kids: Armageddon 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults who have fond memories of the original Spy Kids movies. You can catch this exciting family adventure right now on Netflix, making it a perfect choice for a cozy movie night at home with your little spies-in-training.

A typical summer for four young friends becomes the adventure of a lifetime when they notice that something is amiss at their favorite swimming spot as their friends and family begin falling ill.  When they discover that the local factory is dumping harmful chemicals into the town’s water, they must expose the truth and figure out how to stop the pollution and save the town before it’s too late.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sydney S. comments, “I really like the hilarious adventure film, Little Heroes. It has a suspenseful storyline that kept me engaged and is a wonderful comfort movie!” Eshaan M. adds, “The casting of Little Heroes is a high point, as is its production quality. Coleman Christian as Robbie and Max Gerstenberg as Brewster are the stars of the cast; it’s evident they paid attention to even the littlest nuances in playing their characters.” See their full reviews below.

Little Heroes
By Sydney S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I really like the hilarious adventure film, Little Heroes. It has a suspenseful storyline that kept me engaged and is a wonderful comfort movie!Th

This film is about a group of friends attempting to save their whole town before a factory releases harmful chemicals into their favorite lake. Will it be too late to stop the corrupt factory?

The characters in the friend group are Robbie (Coleman Christian), Brewster (Max Gerstenberg), Grace (Ashtine Besteda), and Eric (Corban Jaaz). Other main characters are Diana (Alexa Feldman), Drew Brewster (Brian Stever), and Kerri Smithson (Brittany Goodwin). The characters’ interactions are entertaining and they make me feel like I’m in the scene with them. I really admire that despite hardships in their lives, Robbie, Brewster, Grace, and Eric always show up for each other. This is shown when Robbie has a deep conversation with Brewster about his dad working extra hours to make more money.

Audiences could relate to this on a personal level. Robbie is a supportive friend, as are the others. I also like the diversity in the friend group. From interests to feminism, everyone in the audience is represented in some way in the group. They are all completely different but get along. Next, I applaud the director and writers, Brittany Goodwin, Doug Maddox, and Jeremiah Wiseblood. They created a suspenseful storyline with an interesting resolution (you’ll have to wait and see!) The film is slow at times but it eventually picks up the pace. The camerawork is shaky when there’s a lot of action, and closeups when the scene feels more intimate. The sets are well-made, too. I like their clubhouse because it looks like the perfect hangout place. The watering hole, town ice cream shop, and factory look realistic, as well. There’s tension in the music when Brewster sneaks into the factory. All of these little details enhance the movie overall. My favorite part of the film is the characters Grace and Diana. They’re both strong female leaders and I like their personalities. 

The message of this film is that community is the only thing that matters. Love comes before money, power, and success. Brewster’s dad figures this out. Another message is that teamwork makes the dream work. Also, Robbie mentions to Brewster that he has “friends that love him,” which is an important reminder. 

I give Little Heroes 4 out of 5 stars and recommend this for ages 8 to 12. Little Heroes comes out October 17, 2023 on VOD. 

Little Heroes
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

With a simple but engaging story and strong casting, Little Heroes is the perfect film to culminate your summer with! 

Little Heroes takes place in a small town where four young friends — Robbie (Coleman Christian), Brewster (Max Gerstenberg), Eric (Corban Jazz) and Grace (Ashtine Besteda) — are enjoying their summer break. Brewster’s father works in a factory which gets a contract with the town government. He soon finds out that the factory plans to expand their operations, and as a byproduct, is dumping hazardous chemicals into a lake where his son and his friends swim. The friend group catches wind of this and realizes they must use their wits to find a solution.

The casting of Little Heroes is a high point, as is its production quality. Coleman Christian as Robbie and Max Gerstenberg as Brewster are the stars of the cast; it’s evident they paid attention to even the littlest nuances in playing their characters. Director and producer Brittany Goodwin has taken all the pains to ensure that every audiovisual element of the film is perfectly tuned. The score by Andrei Shulgach comes off a little bit like stock music, but it does suit the film. It’s similar with the costumes, which fit the film’s eclectic characters but somehow seem snatched out of a children’s book. My personal favorite is the set design by Jennifer Dopp, Donald Imm and Craig Weaver, and the editing and color-correction by Justin Moe and Cinegach Studios. The town in which Little Heroes takes place looks picture-perfect, and every frame is vibrant. I also enjoyed how the plot came together; sure, it is predictable at some points, but there are other plot points (including a romance!) that come out of nowhere. The script feels a little bit forced and the chemistry between Brewster and his father doesn’t really work for me; their relationship feels unnatural. 

Little Heroes promotes teamwork, caring for our environment, and friendship. It also shows that our individual talents are what help us most in times of crisis. It’s a great film for young viewers interested in conservation and those who are fans of realistic fiction. Parents should know that the children do wander around on their own in the film and do risky things like jumping into a biohazardous lake. Also, one character nearly drowns. 

I give Little Heroes 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases on October 17, 2023 on demand. 

A magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City and gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kendall B. comments, “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is fantastically entertaining for younger viewers, with its fun storyline, bright colors and adorable characters. There are so many fun scenes that younger kids will enjoy. I really enjoyed the music choices in this film – it’s a good mix of popular songs that different age groups will recognize and they are placed at nice points of the movie.” See her full review below.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

If you need a new movie to keep your young ones entertained check out PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. It has everything kids love and more.

After a meteor strikes Adventure City, damaging their Pup Tower – the PAW Patrol finds themselves with superpowers. But the pups soon realize they’re in danger because Humdinger and mad scientist Victoria Vance are after these superpowers to make themselves into ultimate supervillains. It’s up to Ryder and his team of mighty puppies to keep what is theirs as they learn that truly no pup is too small.

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is fantastically entertaining for younger viewers, with its fun storyline, bright colors and adorable characters. There are so many fun scenes that younger kids will enjoy. I really enjoyed the music choices in this film – it’s a good mix of popular songs that different age groups will recognize and they are placed at nice points of the movie. The filmtakes place in Adventure City and the animators really excel in the attention to detail in creating the city as well as the other settings throughout the film. My favorite scene is when Sky tells Chase about her backstory; it is a really sentimental point of the film and is super sweet.

The theme of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is that if you believe in yourself you can do anything. Sky spends most of the movie contemplating her size because she’s the smallest in the group, but in the end she learns that her size doesn’t determine whether she can be a hero, she just has to believe in herself. Ryder says throughout the movie, “no pup too small.” The pups learn the importance of this throughout the movie when they realize they all must work together to keep their powers.

I give PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. It releases in theaters September 29, 2023.

Get ready for an epic adventure with “Ghosters: Phantom Patrol!” When tricky ghosts break free from a super-secret government facility, things get wild, a little spooky, and a whole lot of fun! As New York City is packed with mischievous ghosts, two clueless security guards team up with a pair of fearless tech-savvy kids to save the day. Get ready for a side-splitting and thrilling ride as they dive into the ghostly commotion and work together to save the city!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ella S. comments, “There are many similarities between Ghosters and Ghostbusters, such as the theme music, the New York setting, and even the logo with the ghost shown at the beginning (though it isn’t exactly the same). Fans of Ghostbusters will enjoy certain scenes, like the scene where one spirit takes over a giant statue, a nod to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.” Victoria L. adds, “The film Ghosters: Phantom Patrol is a very interesting movie. I like this film because it’s the perfect mix of funny and suspenseful along with also tackling tough family dynamics… This film’s message is that your family will always have your back.” See their full reviews below.

Ghosters: Phantom Patrol
By Ella S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Ghosters: Phantom Patrol is a spoof of the classic movie, Ghostbusters. It has good cinematography, but a lot of the time I found myself confused. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or scream at the animated images, and the plot is confusing.

The storyline takes place in New York City and follows Wilbur (Leon Mayfield) and Casey (Heath C. Heine), two ordinary men work the night shift as guards in a mysterious government facility. They soon discover the building is home to ghosts who have been trapped and contained in glowing green tubes (a reference to Ghostbusters, where ghosts are trapped in similar tubes). When the ghosts escape the building, it’s up to Wilbur and Casey to stop them from taking over the city. 

There are many similarities between Ghosters and Ghostbusters, such as the theme music, the New York setting, and even the logo with the ghost shown at the beginning (though it isn’t exactly the same). Fans of Ghostbusters will enjoy certain scenes, like the scene where one spirit takes over a giant statue, a nod to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. However, some things are very different – the iconic four-person crew is missing, and Ghosters is set in the 21st century and ends in a video game. I especially like Wilbur’s character –- he provides comic relief, such as when he has to ride a child’s bike and when he eats a Domino’s™ pizza during an attack scene. But while the movie is funny and the landscapes of New York are beautifully captured, it falls a bit short. It has no climax; the movie never peaks. It’s all action from the start with no plot twist or big reveal. The characters have no objective or goal either. Wilbur and Casey’s escape from the building lacks pizzazz – we are left to use our imaginations. The animated images are confusing as well. Although Ghosters has a funny tone, the ghosts are actually pretty scary looking, with sunken white eyes and limbs that can twist and contort in ways we can’t imagine. They’re terrifying but very unrealistic. I’m still not sure whether they are supposed to be funny or creepy!

As this movie is meant to be a spoof that makes fun of another movie, the message is a bit unclear.  Be aware that there is some mild language, very mild graphic content, some alcohol references and one drug reference. The ghosts may be quite frightening, especially to young children and they scared me.

I give Ghosters: Phantom Patrol  3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. This film releases on AVOD on September 22, 2023. 

Ghosters: Phantom Patrol
By Victoria L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

The film Ghosters: Phantom Patrol is a very interesting movie. I like this film because it’s the perfect mix of funny and suspenseful along with also tackling tough family dynamics.

This storyline follows two guys, Wilbur (Leon Mayfield) and Casey (Heath C. Heine), as they work an overnight surveillance job in a government building. The two, being unemployed, take the job and everything seems to be going fine until they find out they aren’t the only ones in the building.

One of my favorite moments in the film is when Joey (Arthur Gazarian) and his dad, Casey, get to bond over fighting some ghosts. Casey was going to miss his son’s birthday because of his new job that he got but he later ends up making it up to his son when he joins the battle against the spirits with his dad. The way that Heine and Gazarian show the reconciliation between a dad and a son in a time of need is truly amazing.

My favorite character is Wilbur because he is hilarious throughout the film. There is a moment where Wilbur gets out of the facility he’s trapped in after Casey does. Once he realizes that he was left there to fend for himself while the others are off looking for what may help them with the ghosts, he finds a very small bike and begins to pedal himself to the source of the issue to be as much help as he can, even if it’s going to take a little bit longer for him to get there than the others.

This film’s message is that your family will always have your back. Even while Jenah and Casey are not happy with each other, Jenah still stands by Casey’s side in his time of need, making sure he is safe. Be aware there is mild swearing and brief discussion about violent actions.

I give Ghosters: Phantom Patrol 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Ghosters: Phantom Patrol will be available on VOD on September 22, 2023.