KIDS FIRST! News

In DC League of Super-Pets, Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes. Dwayne Johnson stars as the voice of Krypto the Super-Dog in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action-adventure feature film “DC League of Super-Pets,” from director Jared Stern. The film also stars the voices of Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, and John Krasinski.  

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “DC League of Super Pets is sure to be a fan favorite for kids who love superheroes and animals! This animated movie is full of classic crime fighting battles as well as heartfelt messages, making it a perfect family movie.” Ashleigh C. adds, “Fun for kids and families, DC League of Super-Pets is a fantastic addition to the DC superhero film franchise. My favorite DC superhero characters have come to life as pets in this new action-packed film and I love it.” Kendall B. adds, “One of my favorite things is the soundtrack. It’s a combination of old and new songs that are all equally fun pump-up songs, with lyrics that are quite familiar to most people. This movie is very sweet and some scenes may even bring the waterworks as they did for me.” Selene W. comments, “Before the movie starts there is a segment about Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) and how you can become a superhero to homeless pets.  As a person who has adopted two homeless pets, I can’t tell you how meaningful it is for DC Super League of Pets to recognize the love that these animals can bring into our lives just as Krypto experiences in the film!” Ethan P. wraps it up with, “The graphics of this animated film are pretty neat. Add to that a super soundtrack and great voice actors. Each actor, from Dwayne Johnson’s Krypto, John Krasinski’s Superman and Kevin Hart’s shelter dog, Ace and you’ve got a great cast of characters, whether they are being funny or serious.” See their full reviews below.

DC League of Super-Pets
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

DC League of Super-Pets is sure to be a fan favorite for kids who love superheroes and animals! This animated movie is full of classic crime fighting battles as well as heartfelt messages, making it a perfect family movie.

Superman (John Krasinski) and Krypto (Dwayne Johnson), the Super-Dog, have been best friends since birth. When the entire Justice League is kidnapped, Krypto must create a crime fighting league of his own, so he enlists the help of shelter pets Ace (Kevin Hart), Merton (Natasha Lyonne), PB (Vanessa Bayer) and Chip (Diego Luna) to save the Justice League and all of Metropolis.

The animation is beautiful! The characters’ designs, especially the pets, are so adorable and keep a cartoonish and comic book-like feeling. The humor is great; it pokes fun at other studios (like Marvel Studios) and also at itself (DC Comics), making it relatable to teens and adults who have seen the more serious Marvel and DC movies. The voice acting is outstanding. Everyone fits their roles so well and they really bring their characters to life, displaying each one’s unique personality. The actors that stand out the most are Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Natasha Lyonne and Kate McKinnon. Dwayne Johnson as Krypto and Kevin Hart as Ace are a dynamic duo as their chemistry is so apparent – no doubt due to the many times they have worked together in other films. Natasha Lyonne perfects the voice of Old Lady Merton. Her comedic timing is spot on. Kate McKinnon, as Lulu happens to be my favorite character, but I can’t say why as I don’t want to give away any spoilers. What I can say is that her role appears to be written specifically for her.

The primary message of DC League of Super-Pets is that friendship, teamwork and love is stronger than any superpower. There are also themes of moving on and making room for new loved ones. Plus, this movie may inspire people to adopt animals from a shelter. I know I’m ready to!

I give DC League of Super-Pets 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus pet and superhero lovers! It releases in theaters July 29, 2022.

DC League of Super-Pets 
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

DC League of Super-Pets is not only “dog-tastic,” it’s “fun-tastic” as well!  I can’t remember watching another movie with so much spontaneous laughter and applause from a screening audience.  This animated story will be one your family will want to watch again and again.

In DC League of Super-Pets, Krypto the Super-Dog (Dwayne Johnson) and Superman (John Krasinski) are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince an unlikely group of animal shelter heroes that they need to band together to help him rescue their human superhero counterparts.  The movie trailer for DC League of Super-Pets gives audiences an accurate portrayal of the movie, in this rare instance, as well as interesting glimpses of the delightful characters and humorous situations which develop.

Our new heroes come to life in this animated action adventure film from Director Jared Stern who is also one of the writers.  The cast is notably talented and Krypto’s other canine member Ace (Kevin Hart) teaches him that love is unconditional and that you can’t have justice without truth.  This movie really has a fabulous ensemble cast and there are too many individuals to mention, and they all contribute to the hilarity of this story.  Like the many pets they portray, the characters are fun, loyal and show us that we all need a best friend. My favorite scene is one where Krypto is jealous and gets up to some serious antics when he is home alone.  It’s set to the song “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift, which plays in the background when he indulges his feelings.  Dwayne Johnson really brings his character to life and writers Jared Stern and John Whittington must have pets at home, as they capture the canine spirit perfectly.  There is also the competitiveness between Batman and Superman, which underlies some of the humorous scenes and interaction.

The message of this film is that love is unconditional, even if it hurts.  Krypto and his alter-ego, Bark Kent, are jealous of Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde).  He learns that change and accepting new friends can expand the possibilities of love.  Before the movie starts there is a segment about Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org) and how you can become a superhero to homeless pets.  As a person who has adopted two homeless pets, I can’t tell you how meaningful it is for DC Super League of Pets to recognize the love that these animals can bring into our lives just as Krypto experiences in the film!

I rate DC League of Super-Pets, 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, but of course adults will enjoy the humor and storyline as well.  It is available in theaters July 29, 2022, so don’t miss this tail-wagging adventure!

DC League of Super-Pets
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18

Fun for kids and families, DC League of Super-Pets is a fantastic addition to the DC superhero film franchise. My favorite DC superhero characters have come to life as pets in this new action-packed film and I love it.

After Superman’s home, Kyrpton, is destroyed, he is sent to earth with a trusty companion, his super-pet Krypto. As Superman and the Justice League are kidnapped by a hairless hamster, Lex Luther’s pet, Lulu, Krypto and his unlikely pet friends ban together to save them.

It is great seeing Batman (Keanu Reeves), Superman (John Krasinski), Green Lantern (Dascha Polanco), The Flash (John Early), Aquaman (Jemaine Clemente) and Cyborg (Daveed Diggs), aka the Justice League, in cartoon form. This film is perfect for a family movie nigh with the perfect mix of action, comedy and adventure. DC League of Super-Pets brings back arguably the best Hollywood duo to the big screen, Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. As their characters are familiar and recognizable throughout the story I love how the writers shape them with new personalities, quirks and even genders. It is like rediscovering these classic superhero favorites all over again. My favorite character is Ace, played by Kevin Hart who embodies his pit bull character really well. The comedy and punch lines land every-time, which is greatly appreciated.

The message in DC League of Super-Pets is that growth is inevitable, good for you and good for those around you. Be forewarned that this film contains some suggestive language.

I give DC League of Super-Pets 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters July 27, 2022. You don’t want to miss it!

DC League of Super-Pets
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

DC League of Super-Pets is a wonderful new film with great voice-acting, awesome animation, and a fantastic message. The whole family will love it!

The story follows Krypto (Dwayne Johnson), a super dog owned by the one and only Superman. Superman has been hanging out with his girlfriend, Lois (Olivia Wilde) too much, and Krypto feels left out. But after Superman is kidnapped along with the rest of the Justice League by evil guinea pig, Lulu (Kate McKinnon), Krypto meets a group of pound animals and he must learn to work together with them to save the Justice League, and the world.

The animation of the pets in this movie is terrific; all their crazy superpowers are animated so well. Kevin Hart’s portrayal of Ace is one of my favorites. It’s really funny when he’s trying to escape from the pound. I also love PB (Vanessa Byer) and Ch’p (Diego Luna) because they make up a lot of the funniest scenes in the movie. There’s one scene when both of them are they’re trying to create an epic training montage, because you have to have an epic training montage, obviously. But it goes horribly wrong and their powers start going insane and they all start flying everywhere! Their friendship with Merton the turtle (Natasha Lyonne) is really fun to watch. One of my favorite things is the soundtrack. It’s a combination of old and new songs that are all equally fun pump-up songs, with lyrics that are quite familiar to most people. This movie is very sweet and some scenes may even bring the waterworks as they did for me. My favorite scene is when Superman ditches Krypto to go on a date with Lois. Another scene I really like is the scene with Krypto singing Taylor Swift’s song, “Bad Blood,” while eating strawberry ice cream on the bed and watching The Great British Bake Off.

The message of DC League of Super-Pets is that sometimes you have to sacrifice for the people you love. It’s a message that is seen throughout the movie through love between friends or pet and owner.

I give DC League of Super-Pets 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters July 29, 2022.

DC League of Super-Pets
Ethan P., KID FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

The new animated film DC League of Super-Pets absolutely hits the mark for younger kids with a cute and sweet storyline that make it very family friendly. It’s predictable, but still fun to watch, especially because the cast is outstanding!

 
DC League of Super-Pets is about how Superman’s (John Krasinski) dog, Krypto (Dwayne Johnson) and his pet friends save Justice League. When Superman falls in love, Krypto feels like he isn’t needed any longer by Superman. Superman notices that and tries to get Krypto a friend, but he can’t find one until he checks out the pet adoption center. When Superman is kidnapped, Krypto and his animal buddies have to rescue him and save the Justice League.

The graphics of this animated film are pretty neat. Add to that a super soundtrack and great voice actors. Each actor, from Dwayne Johnson’s Krypto, John Krasinski’s Superman and Kevin Hart’s shelter dog, Ace and you’ve got a great cast of characters, whether they are being funny or serious. Additional starring roles are played by Keanu Reeves, Ben Schwartz, Kate McKinnon, Diego Luna and more. My favorite character is Krypto because of how funny and cute he is, which is no surprise since Dwayne Johnson excels at that! My favorite scene of Krypto’s is when Superman is getting ready for date night and Krypto thinks Superman’s girlfriend is going to replace him so, he starts crying while watching his favorite show that he and Superman would watch together. Another fun part is when he eats quarts of ice cream.

The moral of DC League of Super-Pets it that it’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are. Krypto learns this when he can’t use his powers, but that isn’t the problem. His father says he is the problem.

I give DC League of Super-Pets 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It opens in theatres on July 29, 2022.

Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtains of Industrial Light & Magic, the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm. Learn what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers in Hollywood history, and follow their stories from their earliest personal films to bringing George Lucas’ vision to life. The series is directed by Lawrence Kasdan, and the executive producers are Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Justin Wilkes, Lawrence Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Heather S. comments, “Light & Magic is a documentary series that will blow you away! Go behind-the-scenes with renowned filmmakers and take a peek at some of the greatest special effects used in cinematic history.” Samantha P. adds, “You can venture behind the scenes of movies created by Lucasfilm, the legendary company founded by George Lucas, which makes all of their Star Wars films and more. Discover how movie magic, or the creation of special effects, is made in each of the six 1-hour episodes.” Selene W. wraps it up with, “If you have any interest in the behind-the-scenes of making Star Wars, special effects or digital imaging, then Light & Magic is a series not to be missed!…Experience what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers to let their imagination soar into any galaxy or dimension beyond.” See their full reviews below.

Light & Magic 
By Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Light & Magic is a documentary series that will blow you away! Go behind-the-scenes with renowned filmmakers and take a peek at some of the greatest special effects used in cinematic history. 

Light & Magic introduces audiences to the VFX company, Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilm, who have produced many of the greatest special effects in movies. George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron are just a few of the filmmakers that talk about their experience working with Industrial Light & Magic and how this visionary company changed the way films are made. 

This series has something for everyone. Never-before-seen content from Titanic, Harry Potter, and Avengers is provided in Light & Magic. Rare sketches and concept art are shown, and it’s enough to thrill even an average fan. Hearing how all of these blockbusters like Avatar and Jurassic Park came together firsthand from the filmmakers is incredible. Directors who have taken the world by storm explain in detail where their visions came from and how Industrial Light & Magic helped the visions come to life. By the end of the series, viewers will feel like they worked on the movies themselves. The show, featuring several testimonials and anecdotes from the films’ editors, producers and VFX artists, helps audiences truly understand how it “takes a village” to make a movie.

For any aspiring young actors, cinematographers, and directors, Light & Magic is a must watch. A standout piece of the series is the introduction of the StageCraft, the immersive and adaptable video screens used in shows like The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi. It just goes to show how much technology has evolved over the decades and how George Lucas and Lucasfilm have been instrumental in its evolution.

The purpose of Light & Magic is to engage its viewers with tales of how green screens and VFX began, and how various technologies have impacted and revolutionized cinema.

I give Light & Magic 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. All six episodes of Light & Magic premiere on July 27, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.

Light & Magic
By Samantha P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Light & Magic is a good docu-series to watch, especially if you have ever dreamed of making movies. You can venture behind the scenes of movies created by Lucasfilm, the legendary company founded by George Lucas, which makes all of their Star Wars films and more. Discover how movie magic, or the creation of special effects, is made in each of the six 1-hour episodes.

This series showcases the filmmakers from Industrial Light and Magic, which is the special effects division of Lucasfilm. Light & Magic delivers a deep understanding about the background of some very popular movies, including Star Wars, Transformers and Indiana Jones. It shows how the filmmakers persevere even when things are hard and seem almost impossible. The filmmakers have faith in their vision and share how they follow their dreams when other people say it’s not going to work out. It’s inspiring for anyone who wants to work in film or other ambitious creative endeavors. Light & Magic mostly focuses on George Lucas’ vision, Star Wars, since he’s the founder of both Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, and it is directed by Lawrence Kasden.

In a series that is all about making great movies, of course the production value is great. The music enhances the mood, captivates the audience, builds tension, and makes the resolution more clear. Dramatic music plays as the filmmakers explain how their project wasn’t working out, but energetic music plays when the problem works itself out in the end. These episodes feature over 13 people, including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Dennis Muren, Ron Howard and many more. These are industry experts that any aspiring filmmaker should know about as they begin their own journey in making movies. Light & Magic also shares many clips from movies as examples to help bring their points to life for the audience.

The message of this docu-series is to persevere even when you are doubtful. This message is something that anyone can relate to, but especially artists who must have faith in their vision. Even people who created great hit movies have once doubted themselves, and new filmmakers can relate to that idea.

I give Light & Magic 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. All six episodes are available on Disney+ beginning July 27, 2022.

Light & Magic 
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 

A long time ago in a galaxy, or warehouse, far, far away from a massive studio, a brave alliance of technological wizards challenged the creativity and standards of special effects in the motion picture industry.  These unsung heroes came together and accepted the visionary challenge and used their ingenuity to create and build Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) which is an iconic part of the Star Wars’ lore.

If you have any interest in the behind-the-scenes of making Star Wars, special effects or digital imaging, then Light & Magic is a series not to be missed!  The archival footage gives viewers a peak behind the wizards’ curtains into creating movie MAGIC and collaborative storytelling.  Experience what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers to let their imagination soar into any galaxy or dimension beyond.

Interviews with legendary directors including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis and Jon Favreau add to the depth of this series and truly illuminate how instrumental digital filmmaking has become to storytelling. The rebel alliance at ILM created a digital revolution in the film industry which expanded into other areas of industry as well, which truly was life changing for many. Viewers get to experience snippets of various special effect scenes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Terminator, Forest Gump, Jurassic Park and Mandalorian to name just a few! These groundbreaking artists under the guidance of visionary George Lucas show us that, just because something hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Lawrence Kasdan directs this documentary series and is in a unique position to guide us through the history of imagination and technological change.

The essence of this series illustrates that anything is possible.  This ragtag group of artists accomplished things together that were light years ahead of current standards.  Their hard work and dedication to the project and their craft truly produced something that is still magical today.

I give this documentary series 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults.  The six episode series launches on Disney+ July 27, 2022. Don’t miss the magic and incredible journey behind the scenes!

When a wealthy businessman learns of his daughter’s sudden engagement to a missionary, he embarks on a quest to keep her closer to home, but when his efforts go awry he must reconsider what it means to be a strong father.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is all about trust and respect in relationships. It encourages parents to let go of their children when they wish to fly away, and it promotes altruism, both professionally and in personal relationships.” Samantha P. adds, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters teaches important lessons about family values. This family-friendly movie doesn’t only benefit children; it also teaches fathers about letting go of their daughters, and to know when to step in to ensure a positive future.” Kyla C. wraps it up with, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is a fantastic mix of romance, comedy and family life. The film is simply a must-see. Strong acting supports a well-developed plot. The message of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is that you have to let people make their own choices, whether you agree with their decisions or not.” See their full reviews below.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is an emotional depiction of the ups and downs of the relationship between a father and a daughter. It’s a superb summer watch.

Wealthy businessman, Steve Parston (Bart Johnson) just locked in a huge new deal based on his daughter Abby’s (Carrie Wampler) pitch deck. Soon after celebrating this achievement, he learns of Abby’s sudden engagement to Oz (Brandon Prado), a selfless missionary based in Mexico. Steve embarks on a quest to keep Abby closer to home and make her a partner in his new venture. However, when his efforts go awry, he must consider what it means to be a strong, supportive father.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters director David de Vos guides this film quite well, especially with the actors’ performances and the cinematography, by Rick Pendleton. Each actor seems comfortable in their role, especially Robyn Lively as Steve Parston’s wife, Connie. The Mexican angle seems a bit underdeveloped; it is rather inconsequential that we learn that Oz and his family are Mexican and run an orphanage in Mexico until the final scenes of the film. I’m not sure that this addition is meaningful and if so, why it doesn’t it come up earlier. The writing is a bit stilted at times, but the emotion with which Bart Johnson, in particular, plays his role helps lift the film back up.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is all about trust and respect in relationships. It encourages parents to let go of their children when they wish to fly away, and it promotes altruism, both professionally and in personal relationships. Note that Christian missionary work is referred to, and we see children acting out in the film at times.

I give Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters 4.5 stars out of 5 and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters releases August 1, 2022 in theaters.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
By Samantha P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters teaches important lessons about family values. This family-friendly movie doesn’t only benefit children; it also teaches fathers about letting go of their daughters, and to know when to step in to ensure a positive future. Based on the bestselling book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by author Dr. Meg Meeker, the movie shares heartwarming values that make the whole family comfortable watching it together.

Actors Robyn Lively and Bart Johnson play Connie and Steve, the parents to Zoey, Abby, and Bridget in the movie. The movie starts with Abby, the oldest daughter, coming home from a business trip and surprising the family with the fact that she’s engaged. Not only is she giving up her career path at her dad’s office, but she is also running away to Africa with her future husband to care for the poor as missionaries with the church. Steve struggles with finding a way to let Abby accomplish her own dreams and start a new path, instead of continuing the dream they have always had together, even the dreams of what her future wedding would look like.

Robyn and Bart who play the believable role of husband and wife, are married outside of the movie, it turns out! I can imagine how this would add more depth to their roles. Abby and her fiance Oz are played by Carrie Wampler and Brandon Prado. While these are the main characters, other actors that are important to the movie include Kayla DiVenere (as Zoey), Arden Myrin (as Crystal), David Barrera (as Carlos), and Maria Canals-Barrera (as Bella.)

This movie is funny to watch, and the set design is exciting and colorful. Learning about the Mexican culture through the bright colors and fun decorations was also very interesting. The writing seemed predictable, though, without too many major twists. Not to give any spoilers, but I could imagine how it would end from the beginning.

The message of this movie is that families can persevere to solve different problems and to build strong futures together. Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters has alcohol consumption and breaking the rules with social media. In one scene, a daughter sneaks out to a party with boys against parent permission.

I give Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch it on Pure Flix starting on August 1, 2022.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is a fantastic mix of romance, comedy and family life. The film is simply a must-see. Strong acting supports a well-developed plot.

The storyline of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters follows Steve Parston (Bart Johnson), the father of three kids and husband of Connie Parston (Robyn Lively). The couple’s eldest child, Abby Parston (Carrie Wampler) returns to the family home in California after living in Mexico for months. Having had big plans to be business partners with Abby for years, Steve is shocked and unsupportive when she announces other plans. Will Steve learn to live without his daughter at home, or will he ruin everything with her in his refusal to move on?

The story of this film is very impressive, with each character having their own engaging subplot. Rather than awkwardly pausing the primary storyline to build on each of these subplots, the smaller stories develop in the midst of the main story, without viewers realizing it. As a result, there are characters that are cared for, many loose ends to be wrapped up and countless extra comedic and romantic bits in between.

One of the best characters, Crystal (Arden Myrin), the wedding planner, is a perfect addition to the film. She is extremely enthusiastic about her job and very excited to be getting business; she brings lots of light to some of the bleaker, sadder scenes. These sequences provide the right balance of negative and positive energy. Another important aspect of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is the relatable family. This film truly demonstrates how, although family members disagree and argue, each person is seriously trying to help one another and do the best they can. Each of the three daughters goes through one or more realistic conflicts that they solve with guidance from their inner selves as well as from those around them. With a variety of difficult situations shown throughout the film, every viewer will have at least one struggle that is similar to something they, or someone they know, has dealt with. So many different connections allow Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters to reach many diverse audiences. The actors use these connections to make their character even easier to identify with. In particular, Kayla DiVenere gives an amazing performance as Zoey, the middle child in the family.

The message of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is that you have to let people make their own choices, whether you agree with their decisions or not. Steve tries to prevent Abby from making her own decisions, and ends up realizing that it is not his choice to make. There is some minor language to be aware of.

I give Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters exclusively on PureFlix beginning August 1, 2022.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle for gun violence prevention and in promoting understanding of the language condition aphasia. Featuring extensive verité filming of Gabby and her husband, astronaut-turned-Senator Mark Kelly; interviews with President Barack Obama and other friends and colleagues; and exclusive access to stunning videos taken in the weeks following her near-death experience, this film is the story of a rising star transformed by an act of violence, and a close-up portrait of the marriage that sustains her.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “A beautiful portrait of resilience and optimism, Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down is an uplifting film about Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and speaks to a timely political issue for audiences of all political affiliations.” See his full review below.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

A beautiful portrait of resilience and optimism, Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down is an uplifting film about Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and speaks to a timely political issue for audiences of all political affiliations. Giffords’ passion and perseverance are not only inspiring, but also enrich the film through her interviews; archival footage and sound bites from her husband and mother are also well-placed and add greatly to the film.

Gabby Giffords is shot through the head at point-blank range at a Tucson, Arizona, Safeway in 2011 while hosting a meeting called, “Congress on Your Corner.” That moment, that one bullet, would change her life entirely, as she went from a powerhouse to a nearly vegetative patient. The film shows some admittedly difficult-to-watch clips of Giffords’ recovery in the hospital. She suffered from aphasia, which took away her language ability, and her doctors weren’t sure if she would ever speak again. Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down follows her journey of recovery and also shows glimpses of her career and the path she took post-recovery. We see a strong, intelligent, inspiring, and spirited woman who has achieved, and is continuing to achieve, a great deal.

The film is edited masterfully and tells a rousing and moving story that enraptures viewers from the first frame. One of the most unique parts of Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down is that we see Gabby speaking in all stages of her journey — hearing Giffords’ voice is one of the most compelling aspects of the film, and it adds many endearing, bittersweet, and motivating moments. And what a journey: She gave up her big job to come home and run the family business, then transitioned to a TV commercial star, then to an Arizona Democrat—while staying an enthusiastic and charming cheerleader throughout. I especially love the scenes where Giffords is singing with her mother; not only does it show the strength of their bond, but Giffords is more at ease because, as with many who have aphasia or other brain-related injuries, her speech is most fluid when singing.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down is a film about perseverance. Even though watching Gabby go through the relearning process is difficult for viewers, it is also empowering — it shows us that the human spirit, when set on achieving something, will achieve it… and how! Today, she is giving speeches, lobbying for change, and at the forefront of one of America’s hottest discussions: the gun debate.

Though there are mentions of the NRA and a decent amount of focus is placed on Giffords—Gabby’s organization against gun violence—this film, much like Giffords herself, is not particularly bent toward one political ideology or party. There are mentions of politics, violence, and a good bit of gory imagery.

I give Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down 5 stars out of 5 and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down is available now in theaters.

The Gray Man is CIA operative Court Gentry (Ryan Gosling), aka, Sierra Six. Plucked from a federal penitentiary and recruited by his handler, Donald Fitzroy (Billy Bob Thornton), Gentry was once a highly-skilled, Agency-sanctioned merchant of death. But now the tables have turned and Six is the target, hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), a former cohort at the CIA, who will stop at nothing to take him out. Agent Dani Miranda (Ana de Armas) has his back. He’ll need it.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Benjamin P. comments, “The Gray Man is, first and foremost, a classic spy movie. The draw of its elaborate action scenes, the size of its cast and the charisma of its lead performances keep it afloat in the pool of familiarity.” See his full review below.

The Gray Man
By Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

The Gray Man is, first and foremost, a classic spy movie. The draw of its elaborate action scenes, the size of its cast and the charisma of its lead performances keep it afloat in the pool of familiarity.<p>Court Gentry (Ryan Gosling) is a CIA operative who carries out killings of whomever they desire, as part of a deal he made decades ago to dodge prison time. On a job in Bangkok, as he dies, his target reveals the unexpected kinship he holds with Court and gives him a drive containing damning information about the people Court works for. These two discoveries force him to drop everything and go on the run with the intel. Back at the CIA, Court’s boss (Regé-Jean Page) is furious about the intel leak and Court’s betrayal. In response, Court’s boss calls in a former operative named Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans). Rejected by the CIA for his violent, psychotic methods and his lack of concern to amend them, Lloyd has no qualms about eliminating whoever stands between him and his mission’s objective. And so, a cat and mouse chase begins between Court and Lloyd, a battle of wits and ability that tracks the entire globe.

The Gray Man has a lot going on besides Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling, but they are absolutely the reasons to see this movie. Ryan Gosling tones Court down— you really believe he was nurtured in his line of work, not born into it. Gosling is eternally tired in the role. Every obstacle, every adversary gets the same tossed off  “Are we really doing this?” look from Gosling. Yet there’s also an eternal spark: his wit, as if the opportunity to fire off a quip is what keeps him going through stab wounds and raining gunfire. The quipping brings something new to this spy archetype—the sense that this is just a particularly tough day on the job for Court and Gosling communicates that really well.

Every performance has its equal opposite reaction; so the yin to Gosling’s yang is Chris Evans as Lloyd Hansen. Where Gosling is just barely limping his way from explosion to explosion, Evans is confidently striding after him. He walks into this movie with a prominent mustache on his lip, or “trashstache,” as Court calls it, and a smile on his face, ready to do his thing. Lloyd enjoys his job. He waxes poetic about the joys of improv in torturing and the opportunity to kill the prized asset of his former employee only sweetens the deal and raises his spirits. Evans is whistling and skipping as he inflicts government-sanctioned mayhem. It’s fun to watch him play a character this unraveled and unafraid of any repercussions for his psychotic actions.

The Gray Man also features setpiece upon setpiece of impressive action. It’s not always the best-presented, and the editing can be discombobulating, but there are points where directors Russos find their footing. And the magnitude of some of the confrontations between Court and enemy forces also make seeing this movie worthwhile. A tram racing through the streets of Prague with Ryan Gosling dodging enemy fire, for example, or a fistfight in the middle of a firework launcher with fireworks erupting all around—there are moments in The Gray Man that are undeniably cool.

There is no real lesson to The Gray Man other than maybe staying out of the hitman industry. However, there are moments of action in The Gray Man where scale and invention and starpower all line up for something that feels truly thrilling.

Even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel and it feels as if The Gray Man lacks an “X-factor” to set it apart from other cinematic spy fare, it’s a reminder of why the genre is so irresistible: the stars, the scope,and elite operatives with big personalities and shifting allegiances.

I give The Gray Man 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults, for language, intense action, and multiple instances of torture. The Gray Man is in theaters for a brief period starting July 15, 2022, and launches on Netflix globally on July 22, 2022.