KIDS FIRST! News

Hailey Banks, a risk-averse but resourceful teenager on a mission to complete every item on her long list of challenging (and sometimes impractical) tasks in order to save the world. Hailey will be pushed outside her comfort zone to discover the greatness within as she systematically conquers her fears, whether she is winning a sand-building competition, wrestling a honey badger, eating a raw onion, or facing her ever-growing and complicated feelings toward her best friend, Scott.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “Hailey‘s On It is an incredibly fun and entertaining animated comedy-adventure series that captivated me and is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. With its unique premise and engaging characters, this Disney production showcases creativity and humor in every episode.” See her full review below.

Hailey’s On It
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 19

Hailey’s On It is an incredibly fun and entertaining animated comedy-adventure series that captivated me and is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. With its unique premise and engaging characters, this Disney production showcases creativity and humor in every episode.

From the very first scene, it’s clear that Hailey’s On It is a delightful series. The combination of risk-averse yet resourceful teenager Hailey (Auliʻi Cravalho) and her futuristic sidekick Beta (Gary Anthony Williams) create a dynamic duo that viewers will instantly connect with. The chemistry between the characters is charming, and their interactions provide a perfect balance of comedy and heart.

The series revolves around Hailey’s mission to complete a list of challenging tasks, some of which may seem impractical but ultimately contribute to saving the world. While the overarching storyline is compelling, the show wisely balances it with episodic adventures that allow for individual character development and exploration. Each episode of Hailey’s On It introduces a new item from Hailey’s list, presenting unique challenges that require her problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. The plotlines are well-crafted, keeping viewers engaged and eager to see how Hailey and Beta navigate each task.

Hailey’s On It is a family-friendly series that promotes positive social behavior. The characters treat each other with respect and support, and the show emphasizes the value of teamwork and problem-solving.  Hailey’s determination serves as positive examples for young viewers, encouraging them to embrace their own abilities and take on difficult tasks.

The lead characters, Hailey and Beta, steal the show with their distinct personalities and relatable traits. Hailey’s relatability lies in her risk-averse nature, which many viewers will find endearing and familiar. Beta, the AI from the future, adds a delightful futuristic touch to the series, providing both comedic relief and technological prowess. AI has recently become woven into all of our lives and it is great to see Disney jumping on the bandwagon so quickly. The animation in the show is top-notch, with vibrant colors, smooth movements, and detailed backgrounds. The visual aesthetic perfectly complements the adventurous tone of the show, creating an immersive viewing experience.

The underlying message of Hailey‘s On It centers on the importance of facing challenges head-on, even when they seem daunting.

I give Hailey’s On It 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. The series releases on Disney+ and Disney Channel on June 8, 2023, so mark your calendars and get ready for an adventure-filled journey alongside Hailey and Beta!

After losing the gold and fleeing the Outer Banks, Season 3 finds the Pogues washed ashore on a desert island that, for a brief moment, seems like an idyllic home. Officially deemed “Poguelandia,” the island’s newest residents spend their days fishing, swimming, and reveling in the carefree lifestyle of their temporary dwelling. But things quickly go south for John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and Cleo when they find themselves once again caught up in a race for the treasure, quite literally running for their lives. They’re broke and far from home, they can’t trust anyone, Ward and Rafe are hungry for revenge, and there’s a ruthless Caribbean Don who will stop at nothing to find the bounty. Was the treasure ever within their reach? Or was it all a trap to stop them once and for all? Either way, it’s the Pogues against the world – and the only way out is together.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “The third season of the teen (and adult) adventure series, Outer Banks, is back and even more action-packed! This season is filled with loads of treasure hunting, close escapes, daring rescues and romance. I love how much the plot and characters change from the previous seasons.” See her full review and Interview with  Chae Stokes and Rudy Pankow below.

The third season of the teen (and adult) adventure series, Outer Banks, is back and even more action-packed!

Outer Banks: Season 3
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

This season is filled with loads of treasure hunting, close escapes, daring rescues and romance. I love how much the plot and characters change from the previous seasons.

The story of the Pogues continues as the show picks up right where it left off with John B (Chase Stokes), JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey), Sarah (Madelyn Cline) and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) stranded on an uninhabited island they’ve named “Poguelandia.”

But once they get rescued from the island, things go south. And the search for treasure isn’t nearly over yet.

Since this is the third season of Outer Banks, I highly recommend watching the previous seasons to things make sense.

Fans of previous seasons will love this as there are many high stakes chases and unexpected plot twists. This season doesn’t get old and keeps you very engaged.

The cast of this show is extremely talented. The best performances come from Chase Stokes (John B), Charles Hanford (Big John) and Andy McQueen (Mr. Singh). Chase Stokes’ character goes through a lot emotionally, especially in this season, and he makes it very believable and realistic.

We hadn’t seen very much of Charles Hanford as Big John in the first two seasons, so it is very entertaining and surprising to get to know him more and see what kind of person he is.

Mr. Singh is a new character this season, but his character fits in with the plot super well. Andy McQueen perfectly portrays him. I can really sense his background and feel what his past is even though we never see it.

The messages of this show, similar to seasons one and two, are that family can be chosen, change happens and should be accepted, and mistakes are okay because they are a part of life. Additionally it shows how powerful love from friends is. Be aware that there is some profanity, violence and many risky things the kids do that are dangerous.

Outer Banks: Season 3 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It comes out on Netflix February 23, 2023.

https://youtu.be/T0w8iL2vS04

Based on Marvel’s hit comic books, “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” follows the adventures of super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, whom she accidentally brings into present-day New York City through a portal. Bolstered by Devil Dino’s fierce loyalty and brawn and the loving support of her family and best friend Casey, Lunella sets out to make a difference and protect her beloved Lower East Side neighborhood.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “This show is based on the hit comic books from Marvel. I love how each episode feels like a mini movie. There’s so much attention to detail and each episode has a very focused storyline. This series isn’t as intense or violent as other Marvel shows and films, so it is much more suitable for younger audiences.” Tiana S. adds, “I love how well the series connects to the actual comic book featuring the main characters Lunella and Devil Dinosaur. From the animation, the costumes, to the gadgets, everything relates to the original comic story. My favorite part of the series is when Lunella is fighting multiple villains in the episode.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Based on the comics of the same name, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is a witty, realistic and charming animated series for all superhero lovers, young and old!

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur follows Lunella Lafayette (Diamond White), 13-year-old genius, after she accidentally brings a dinosaur (Fred Tatasciore) to her home in present-day New York City via a self-made portal. With the dinosaur’s help, they protect the Lower East side from harm, and become known as “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.”

This show is based on the hit comic books from Marvel. I love how each episode feels like a mini movie. There’s so much attention to detail and each episode has a very focused storyline. This series isn’t as intense or violent as other Marvel shows and films, so it is much more suitable for younger audiences. Even though Lunella is a super genius and has a pet dinosaur, the show is incredibly relatable. It’s full of diverse characters, as well as a diverse cast and crew, and it highlights realistic things that would and could happen to a teenager living in New York City. The animation is dazzling. 

All of the colors pop and the designs for the characters and backgrounds are so vibrant. It looks like it’s straight out of a comic book! I absolutely love the intro song, written and produced by Raphael Saadiq, and performed by Diamond White. It’s so catchy and bubbly, and it really fits the vibe of the show. 

I also like the performances of Lunella and her family. Lunella is voiced by Diamond White, and she truly sounds just like a normal teenage girl. She, along with her family, are so hilarious as their characters have good comedic chemistry. My favorite character is Devil Dinosaur (Fred Tatasciore) because,  even though he’s a 10-ton dinosaur, he’s so cute and loving towards Lunella.

The messages of this show are to use your gifts to help the world, and to help those who can’t help themselves.

I give Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The first episode of this show releases on the Disney Channel February 10, 2023 and will release on Disney+ shortly after.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur are ready to fight crime in the new animated series: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur!  Based on the comic book of the same name, this show highlights the world of S.T.E.M. to young children and inspires learning more about it. Fans of the original comic book and other Marvel fans will love the new series as well.

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur follows 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette (Diamond White), who one day—while helping bring power back to her town—accidentally makes a time portal and spawns a ten-ton red T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur (Fred Tatasciore), into present-day New York City. The duo works together on missions to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.

I love how well the series connects to the actual comic book featuring the main characters Lunella and Devil Dinosaur. From the animation, the costumes, to the gadgets, everything relates to the original comic story. My favorite part of the series is when Lunella is fighting multiple villains in the episode. During that time she is constantly asked what her hero name is and she never is able to give an answer. That scene adds humor to the show and gives a bit of backstory on the title. It’s incredible how Marvel is now incorporating a kids’ animated series to the MCU. It’s a great addition! The characters are extremely relatable in this series. Great detail is given to character development and design, even down to Lunella’s goggles. I love the way different shapes appear in them based on what she’s saying or on her emotions. This show is highly creative. 

This series highlights the importance of friendship, acceptance, being yourself and using your strengths to do something great. In the series, even though the Devil Dinosaur randomly shows up and is a different species, Lunella is able to bond and become friends with it. She also gets teased because she is extremely intelligent. When she accepts her gifts and becomes Moon Girl, she is then able to be herself and use her tech-savvy talents to help save her community.

I give this series 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 5-12, plus adults. You can watch the premiere of Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur on Disney Channel on February 10, 2023, and on Disney+ starting February 15, 2023.

It’s the Sonic you know and love until an incredible twist thrusts Sonic into a new adventure featuring a reinvented cast and Sonic like you’ve never seen him before, where the fate of the multiverse rests in his gloved hands. Sonic’s adventure is about more than a race to save the universe from the evil machinations of his longtime nemesis Dr. Eggman and his army of badnik robots, it’s a race to save his friends, friends that he took for granted.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Giana N. comments, “Sonic Prime is an entertaining eight episode series with a lot of adventures, including traveling through different universes and meeting different versions of Sonic’s friends. If you are a Sonic the Hedgehog fan or are looking for an enjoyable show to watch, check this out.” Hanadie K. adds, “Video game fanatics, does Netflix have a treat for you. If you value nostalgia in the form of binge spree TV series, sit back and prepare to catch some as Sonic rings in this new adventure-filled, action-packed, family-fun animated series.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

Sonic Prime
Giana N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Sonic Prime is an entertaining eight episode series with a lot of adventures, including traveling through different universes and meeting different versions of Sonic’s friends. If you are a Sonic the Hedgehog fan or are looking for an enjoyable show to watch, check this out.

This series is about Sonic (Deven Mack Jr.), Tails (Ashleigh Ball), Amy Rose (Shannon Chan-Kent) and Knuckles (Adam Nurada) as they fight crime together to keep the town safe. As they are fighting Doctor Eggman (Brian Drummond), Sonic accidentally gets sent to a new universe, one where no one talks and no one knows who Sonic is, even though Sonic knows everyone there. Even in the new universe, it is up to Sonic to keep a new city safe.

I like how in almost every episode Sonic ends up in a new universe, every one of which is different. There is a universe where there are cavemen; a universe where there are pirates; and more. My favorite episode is episode seven, “It Takes One to No Place,” because it’s the most entertaining episode, ending with a great cliffhanger leading to the next episode. It made me want to continue watching more episodes.  Watch out because you might not want to stop! My favorite character is Sonic, because he learns from his mistakes and he perseveres. These are great characteristics for anyone to have and it’s why Sonic succeeds so much. Also Sonic is a really funny character and I like that.

The message of Sonic Prime is that mistakes can be fixed; you just have to fix them the right way. In the beginning, Sonic makes the mistake of not listening to people around him and he ends up in a parallel universe. He has to work with what he gets along the way and he fights to make it back to his universe. This show is very kid-friendly.

I give Sonic Prime 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Sonic Prime is available now on Netflix. Be sure to check it out!

Sonic Prime
By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, age 11

Video game fanatics, does Netflix have a treat for you. If you value nostalgia in the form of binge spree TV series, sit back and prepare to catch some as Sonic rings in this new adventure-filled, action-packed, family-fun animated series. It’s back to the 90s with as Sonic and some of Sega’s most memorable console characters returning in the new series Sonic Prime where they travel about multiple universes trying to protect their home.

Sonic Prime takes viewers on a thrilling ride as they watch Sonic (Deven Mack) and his friends’ trusted companions warp in and out of new universes to protect their home from the iniquitous Dr. Eggman (Brian Drummond). Sonic must advance through the Shattervierse into new terrifying dimensions to locate pieces of the shard of the Paradox Crystal. Prepare to be astonished as Sonic encounters various versions of his friends and new enemies, including Tails (Ashleigh Ball), Knuckles (Adam Nurada), Big the Cat (Iam Hanlin, Amy Rose (Shannon Chan-Kent) and Rogue (Kamuzi Evans). Sonic is determined to gather all the missing shards, so Tails can put them together and save them.

This eight-episode arcade-inspired remake is “to the brim” with speed and action. Sonic is known for his incomparable speed, ability to curl into a ball and use himself as a weapon, and his lionhearted personality. This CGI animated series does not neglect to include these notable unforgettable qualities in every episode. There are some genuinely magical otherworldly moments in this series; one being the sound effects. Memorable moments such as Sonic traveling to new universes or collecting his golden rings are amplified by high-quality sound effects. Some mind-blowing action moments accommodate the nature of this series as well. This is a fast-paced series; the camera work and animation bring this production together in a delightful way.

Sonic Prime offers a message of resilience and friendship. This series depicts the dedication of friends and the power of unity and Sonic and his friends make a great effort to save their world and protect others. While this series makes your head spin faster than Sonic himself, some people may be disappointed by the ending. If you despise cliffhangers, brace yourself.

I give Sonic Prime 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus loyal Sonic fans. This animated series is designed with game lovers in mind. Sonic Prime releases on Netflix on December 15, 2022.

Blue’s Big City Adventure follows Josh (Josh Dela Cruz), who gets the opportunity of a lifetime to audition for Rainbow Puppy’s (Brianna Bryan) Broadway musical, and Blue (Traci Paige Johnson) as they skidoo to New York City where they meet new friends and discover the magic of music, dance and following one’s dreams. The entire “Blue’s Clues” crew is reunited for this special movie event, with the beloved animated friends and all three hosts–Josh, Steve (Steve Burns) and Joe (Donovan Patton)–together for the first time in the Big Apple.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S., comments, “The Blue’s Clues & You cast takes a bite out of the “Big Apple” to follow their dreams in their new hit movie musical, Blue’s Big City Adventures! This film has something for the entire family — from big dreams, superb dance numbers, multi-talented guests appearances — all while still managing to fit in Blue’s clues to help along the way.” See her full review and interviews by her, Mars and Jet on and off the Blue Carpet!

Blue’s Big City Adventures
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Blue’s Clues & You cast takes a bite out of the “Big Apple” to follow their dreams in their new hit movie musical, Blue’s Big City Adventures! This film has something for the entire family — from big dreams, superb dance numbers, multi-talented guests appearances — all while still managing to fit in Blue’s clues to help along the way. While watching this magical film, you feel the joy and entertainment you always get from the Blue’s Clues franchise!

Blue’s Big City Adventures follows Blue’s Clues & You host, Josh, (Joshua Dela Cruz), as he heads to New York for a dream audition for Rainbow Puppy, (Brianna Bryan), who is following her own dream of creating her first Broadway musical. As Josh and Blue (Traci Paige Johnson) start on the adventure of a lifetime to the big city, Josh realizes he left his handy-dandy notebook with the audition information and now has to uncover clues to help him get to the audition before three o’clock.

I love how well this film highlights all the incredible things that make New York, New York. From the busyness, its famous pretzels, Times Square jumbotrons, street performances, taxis and even, being known as the place where dreams are made true. This film is the perfect tour guide to New York. There are sensational cameos such as B.D. Wong, who helps Rainbow Puppy cast for her musical. The camera angles and the music are special features and contribute to keeping the storyline interesting and flowing, especially for younger viewers. Fun Fact: Joshua Dela Cruz’s real-life story is very similar to his character Josh’s in this film, in that he moved from Dubai to America to fulfill his dreams of being on Broadway the way Josh travels from Storybook World to New York to be on Broadway.

Of course, keeping with the Blue’s Clues’ theme of teaching life’s lessons, Blue’s Clues Big City Adventures, is packed with different messages. The biggest takeaway is how you should never give up on your dreams, otherwise, how will you know if you can make them a reality? Josh faces different obstacles while trying to pursue his “big break,” including being nervous and losing his handy-dandy notebook, but he stays focus on his goal and ready to show what he can do.

I give Blue’s Big City Adventures 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults who will love it too. This is truly the perfect movie for a family. Blue’s Big City Adventures is available on  Paramount+ beginning November 18, 2022