KIDS FIRST! News

In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4. Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina and the family is forced to go on the run. 

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Calee N. comments, “Get ready to raise your glasses and say, “Kanpai” (cheers) in celebration as the Gru family returns in Despicable Me 4! The familiar and lovable characters are back, bringing with them a hilarious and entertaining storyline that definitely had me laughing out loud.” Katherine S. adds, “I enjoyed Despicable Me 4! It’s full of slapstick comedy plus new and old characters. The animation is so high quality it’s despicable.” Ari P. adds, “My favorite characters in this film are the Minions and Poppy Prescott (Joey King). The Minions have always been energetic and filled with slapstick comedy, and they have never failed to make me laugh.” Emma O. adds, “One thing I love about Despicable Me 4 is … the Minions. They’re consistent as the main protagonists in the Gru family.  They offer constant on-screen antics, and their silly behavior kept me laughing.”  Kendall B. wraps it up with, “My favorite part of this film is the last scene where Gru and Maxime have a karaoke competition and perform it at the local jail. In this scene there are nods to all the past movies including the Despicable Me and Minions films. I won’t spoil it, but it’s a great Easter egg that plays tribute to the previous films.” See their full reviews and Calee’s interview with Miranda Cosgrove and Joey King below.

Despicable Me 4
By Calee N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Get ready to raise your glasses and say, “Kanpai” (cheers) in celebration as the Gru family returns in Despicable Me 4! The familiar and lovable characters are back, bringing with them a hilarious and entertaining storyline that definitely had me laughing out loud. 

The storyline follows Gru (Steve Carell) when he fails to capture his old nemesis, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his family is forced into the witness protection program. But, portraying the role of the average next-door neighbor is no easy task for Gru, his wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig), and their adopted daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan).  The introduction of the want-to-be villain, Poppy (Joey King), sparks Gru’s desire for mischievous adventures, setting the stage for comical chaos with the assistance of his minions.

This is a fun animated film filled with compassion and comedy. Created by Illumination Entertainment, the frantic visual disorder seized my attention and took me on a wild ride filled with glee. The fantastic voice acting makes all the characters likable. Joey King, with her lisp and evil laugh, makes Poppy so menacing and likable. The screenplay by Ken Daurio and Mike White feels familiar and fresh at the same time. Gru’s loving relationship with his wife Lucy, baby boy, and adopted daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes remains heart-warming. The introduction of villains Maxime Le Ma, Valentina (Sofia Vergara), and Poppy keep Gru from living a dull life as an anti-villain.  One of my favorite scenes is the attempted theft of the honey badger. 

The film’s message reminds us to stay true to ourselves and to remember that family is essential to our happiness. By embracing his true nature, Gru is able to release the pressures of being an anti-villain and pursue his dreams.

Despicable Me 4 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18 and adults. It opens in theaters on July 3, 2024.

Despicable Me 4
By Ari P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The hilarious super-dad is back! Gru and his family return in the hilarious Despicable Me 4. This movie is action-packed, funny, and shows how important family truly is. It stars many well-known actors, including Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Will Ferrell, and Sofía Vergara.

This comedic film starts with Gru (Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) doing their best to raise Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), Agnes (Madison Polan), and the newest member of the family, Gru Jr. (Tara Strong) The family thinks their life has finally gone back to normal, until they find out that Gru’s arch-nemeses Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and Valentina (Sofía Vergara) escaped prison and are out for revenge against Gru, which means he and his family must go into hiding. While staying undercover, each family member encounters different people and different struggles. The Minions are as crazy and shenanigan-filled as ever, but also as caring and protective of the family, no matter the cost.

My favorite characters in this film are the Minions and Poppy Prescott (Joey King). The Minions have always been energetic and filled with slapstick comedy, and they have never failed to make me laugh. I love how the director, Chris Renaud, makes sure the Minions are still the same funny, chaotic characters as they have been since the beginning of the Despicable Me series. I love Poppy because of how passionate she is about becoming a super-villainess. She is also so clever and lovable, which adds to her character. Another part of this film I enjoyed was the creativity of the new villains, Maxime Le Mal and Valentina. The writers, Ken Daurio and Mike White, created two incredible characters with loads of personality, imagination, and evil. The music is especially enjoyable in the movie. For example, there is a song in the beginning of the film called “Double Life” by Pharrell Williams, which is so fun and upbeat. The energy from this song matches the energy of the movie.

The film’s message is to never give up and persevere through every situation. Gru always has and always will care about his family. Whenever his family is in trouble, he will always be there to save them.

Despicable Me 4 gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. It releases in theaters on July 3, 2024.

Despicable Me 4
Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

What a fun film Despicable Me 4 is. I love this film! It was great entertainment from start to finish and made me laugh the entire time. 

Gru and the minions return in this fourth installment, providing humor and entertainment at every turn.  Gru is challenged by high school rival, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his female sidekick Valentina (Sofia Vergara) and they’re forced to flee to a safe house.   As the family takes on new identities, Gru takes the opportunity to bond with his son.   More plots emerge as the family struggles with new identities and a neighbor, Poppy (Joey King), knows Gru’s identity.  

Very entertaining. I will go see it again with friends. The animation and the writing are paired perfectly. Every character has their own story line and each of their own individual journeys contributes to the plot.  They are all connected, which makes the film that much more entertaining.  One thing I love about Despicable Me 4 is … the Minions. They’re consistent as the main protagonists in the Gru family.  They offer constant on-screen antics, and their silly behavior kept me laughing.  Whether on a bus, in a vending machine, or in training as the Mega Minions, their attempt to help always creates drama and messes things up.  I enjoyed the character of Poppy, who wears braces and has a lisp, which is hysterical.  Maybe we will see her in future films. The background music and sound effects enhance the entire film. The sounds in the grocery store scene are great – with screams and pounding footsteps running through the aisles.  At other times we hear the roaring of engines, lazar sounds from the Mega Minion, and tires screeching behind the opening music as they drive up into the California hills.  This film is great in so many ways.

The film’s messages are about bonding with your family, finding a happy place, being true to oneself and protecting your loved ones. Be aware that there are some naughty Minions. Some humor is a bit inappropriate for kids, yet this humor may keep parents engaged.  My mom laughed at some of the “adult jokes” and had to explain them to me.

Despicable Me 4 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages to 5 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters July 3, 2024. Go check it out.

Despicable Me 4
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

I enjoyed Despicable Me 4! It’s full of slapstick comedy plus new and old characters. The animation is so high quality it’s despicable.  

In the sixth installment of the Despicable Me franchise, Gru (Steve Carell), Lucy (Kristen Wiig), and the girls welcome a new member to their family, Gru Jr. (Tara Strong), who is set on tormenting his dad. And now, because of a new villain named Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his girlfriend (Sofía Vergara), Gru’s family is forced to go into hiding and adopt new identities. Will they take Maxime down or will their cover be blown? Watch to find out! 

This movie is really cute, but there is just a lot going on at once. There are several different subplots and a lot of new characters that are crammed into this 94-minute movie, so some scenes feel a bit random and out of place. Nonetheless, this is a great family movie. Its humor is geared more towards younger audiences, but that being said, I and a lot of adults laughed throughout the entire movie. I adore all of the characters in the franchise dearly, but my favorite is Agnes, voiced by Madison Polan. She is so sweet and lovable and always wants to do the right thing. I also really love the performances from Steve Carell as Gru, Kristen Wiig as Lucy, Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, and Dana Gaier as Edith. Pierre Coffin, as always, is so impressive when voicing the minions (yes, all of them). Will Ferrell as Maxime and Sofía Vergara as Valentina, Maxime’s girlfriend, are hilarious and really fit their roles.

The film’s messages, similar to the previous installments, focus on the importance of family and doing the right thing. Be forewarned that there are some risky behaviors portrayed in this movie that young children shouldn’t try to replicate. 

Despicable Me 4 gets 4 of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. People who enjoyed the previous Despicable Me movies will definitely want to see this one. It comes out in theaters on July 3, 2024.

Despicable Me 4
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

Bringing back my favorite yellow-friends, Despicable Me 4 is hilarious, original, and chaotic in the best way. It hits the screen with all the energy expected from the first scene to the last.

Following the prison escape of his arch nemesis Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), ex-villain Gru (Steve Carell) is forced to move into hiding with his wife, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), his three daughters, and his new baby son, Gru Jr. (Tara Strong) After assuming new identities the craziness never fails to follow Gru’s family as they meet new neighbors, explore their new lives, and hide from Maxime and his fashionable girlfriend Valentina (Sofía Vergara). And of course, the minions have their own adventures as well.

Despicable Me 4 flows so smoothly despite all the plot lines going throughout the film. Many subplots are developed and, by the end, they all tie together quite nicely. It’s a perfect way to give viewers lots to enjoy without leaving them hanging. The only thing that doesn’t have enough attention is the character of Maxime Le Mal — part of his character is his obsession with cockroaches and he has a whole army of them, but apart from talking to them a bit as his evil army, they don’t help execute his master plans. This made me wonder what they were intended for exactly. Besides this, every character is wonderful to watch and I particularly enjoyed Poppy. Voiced by Joey King, Poppy has been born into an uptight family in the town of Mayflower and dreams of becoming an evil villain. I love how she is introduced as kind of a mystery until her intentions are revealed. I enjoyed seeing how dedicated she is to achieve her dreams. The side plot of the minions is not paid a lot of attention to but that never stops the minions from stealing the spotlight. We find five minions with superpowers and the writers have some hilarious situations these minions get into which, of course, all tie back to saving their beloved master, Gru. My favorite part of this film is the last scene where Gru and Maxime have a karaoke competition and perform it at the local jail. In this scene there are nods to all the past movies including the Despicable Me and Minions films. I won’t spoil it, but it’s a great Easter egg that plays tribute to the previous films.

The film’s theme is that nothing is more important than family. Gru struggles to bond with his son and he never stops trying because Gru Jr. is so important to him. Throughout the film Gru is always putting his family first and he never stops fighting for them.

Despicable Me 4 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters July 3, 2024.

Eva is a typical teen: curious, enthusiastic, and spirited. The only difference … she’s being raised alone by a robot caretaker, Muthr, in a state-of-the-art underground bunker. On her 16th birthday, an attack on her sanctuary forces her onto the Earth’s surface, and it’s not what she expected. The planet is inhabited by aliens, covered with otherworldly fauna, and there are no other humans to be found. In fact, it’s no longer called Earth — it’s called Orbona. Otto, a lovable giant waterbear with whom Eva shares telepathic powers, Rovender, a cantankerous alien with a troubled past, and Muthr join Eva as she embarks on a quest to find humans, her home and her true destiny.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kinsley H. comments, “I really had fun watching this show! WondLa is a sci-fi fantasy filled with thrills and adventure. It has eye-popping animation that had me on the edge of my seat. The animation made me feel like I had walked into a whole new world. The setting has everything, from flying whales to enormous man-eating butterflies.” See her full review and interview with the show’s star, Jeanine Mason, below.

WondLa
By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I really had fun watching this show! WondLa is a sci-fi fantasy filled with thrills and adventure. It has eye-popping animation that is very entertaining. The characters are diverse and unexpected.

This television series is based on the book, “The Search for WondLa,” by Tony DiTerlizzi. It tells the story of Eva (Jeanine Mason), a courageous and lively teenager, who has spent her life in bunker training for her first moment above ground. The only family that she has known is Muther (Teri Hatcher), a very cautious robot, that teaches her about Earth and how to protect herself. Eva soon gets the surprise of her life when she learns that everything she has been taught is no longer true.

WondLa had me on the edge of my seat. The animation made me feel like I had walked into a whole new world. The setting has everything, from flying whales to enormous man-eating butterflies. It depicts an Earth that has been transformed into Orbona, a world filled with the unexpected. The backgrounds are detailed and colorful. It is impossible to see everything in just one viewing. My favorite character is Eva’s Omnipod (D.C. Douglas). Omni is the most humorous character. I love that, even though his tone does not change, he can still make you laugh with his short and witty statements. The characters are either adorable or terrifying. Otto (Brad Garrett) is a gigantic, water bear-like creature. He is a kind and loyal friend that is constantly helping Eva get out of tough situations. On the other hand, there is Besteel (Chike Okonkwo), a scary and towering villain with sharp teeth and a hunched back. I screamed when this character was first introduced. I could not wait to see what new character Eva would meet next.

The film’s message is about friendship. Eva spent the first years of her life wishing to meet humans just like her, so that she could finally have a family. Each episode proves that friends can take any shape or form. WondLa celebrates differences! Parents should be aware that the show does have some violence and dangerous activities.

I give WondLa 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. The first seven episodes of WondLapremiere globally on June 28, 2024 on Apple TV+.

Daniel de la Rosa travels back in time to 1957. To get home, he must find a way to restore his family’s legacy and rewrite baseball history. A fun adventure for the whole family ensues, full of baseball and time travel, featuring Paul Rodriguez.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ashleigh C. comments, “Tomorrow’s Game is a wild journey through time that combines the thrill of baseball with a heartwarming family adventure. The story’s creativity and the strong performances by the cast make it an unforgettable movie experience.” Kinsley H. adds, “Tomorrow’s Game kept me engaged with its story line. The actors make the characters come alive and are true to the time period. The 2002 Jorge Robles made me chuckle. He has amazing comedic timing. I especially like when he makes sure Daniel knows about the number 207.” Gloria J. wraps it up with, “The appeal of Tomorrow’s Game lies in its blend of time travel and baseball nostalgia, combined with a heartwarming story about family and self-discovery. The dynamic between Daniel and Sally provides engaging, relatable moments, while the historical setting adds charm. The plot twist of Daniel becoming the unexpected commentator is particularly satisfying.” See their full reviews below.

Tomorrow’s Game
By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 20

Tomorrow’s Game is a wild journey through time that combines the thrill of baseball with a heartwarming family adventure. The story’s creativity and the strong performances by the cast make it an unforgettable movie experience.

In Tomorrow’s Game, Daniel de la Rosa (Alejandro de Anda), travels back in time to 1957. To return to his present day, Daniel must find a way to restore his family’s legacy and rewrite baseball history. This film is packed with excitement as Daniel navigates the challenges of a different era while discovering the importance of family and perseverance.

The film features a stellar cast with standout performances. The supporting cast enhances the film’s charm — including notable appearances by talented actors such as Miranda Meadows who plays Sally McDavies, Paul Rodriguez, who plays Jorge Robles and Carlo Menddez, who plays young Santiago de la Rosa.

The period sets and costumes transport viewers back to the 1950s, adding an authentic feel to the time-travel adventure. The special effects used for the time travel scenes are impressive and add a magical touch to the story. The soundtrack perfectly complements the film, enhancing key moments and adding to the overall enjoyment. My favorite part of the movie is when Daniel finally understands the true value of his family’s legacy. This pivotal moment is both touching and inspirational, showcasing the film’s core message about believing in yourself and the importance of family.

Tomorrow’s Game promotes positive social behavior and highlights the importance of treating others with respect. The film’s message is clear: believe in yourself and cherish your family.

I give Tomorrow’s Game 4 out of 5 stars and recommend this film for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. You can catch this delightful family adventure now in select theaters plus on VOD, streaming and at online retailers.

Tomorrow’s Game
By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Tomorrow’s Game is not only a baseball movie but a time traveling adventure. I really enjoyed this film, and its inspiring message about equality. Everyone can learn something important from this story.

This movie is about Daniel De La Rosa (Alejandro De Anda) who takes an unexpected trip back to 1957 to see his uncle, Santiago De La Rosa (Carlo Mendez), become part of baseball history. The story begins in 2002 as Santiago De La Rosa  (David Arturo Sanchez) is being inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame for his baseball career with the JetHawks. Daniel is unsure of himself during this time which leads to a heart-to-heart with Jorge Robles (Paul Rodriguez). This encounter quickly leads to a time traveling adventure that leads Daniel to help make big changes in the past.

Tomorrow’s Game kept me engaged with its story line. The actors make the characters come alive and are true to the time period. The 2002 Jorge Robles made me chuckle. He has amazing comedic timing. I especially like when he makes sure Daniel knows about the number 207. The viewer has no doubt that this number is important. Another character that sticks out, but in a different way, is Sally McDavies (Miranda Meadows). Her acting is more theatrical than the other characters, and it seems to interrupt the flow of the dialogue. Despite this, she is still entertaining to watch, and she adds variety to the film.

The props and set are amazing. It really feels like you have time-traveled into the fifties. The broadcast station, which is the time travel machine, made my jaw drop. It is so intriguing how it spins with flashing lights and clicking date changes. The special effects make Daniel’s transition to 1957 seem realistic. The setting change is flawless.

The film’s message is about fairness. In 1957 not all baseball players were treated equally, especially Puerto Rican players. These individuals did not get the same air time as their white teammates. Daniel, Sally, and young Jorge Robles (Jerry Hernandez) worked together to change this while restoring the De La Rosa family legacy in the process.

I give Tomorrow’s Game 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available in select theaters, VOD, AVOD, streaming and through online retailers now.

Tomorrow’s Game
By Gloria J., KIDS FIRST!

The appeal of Tomorrow’s Game lies in its blend of time travel and baseball nostalgia, combined with a heartwarming story about family and self-discovery. The dynamic between Daniel and Sally provides engaging, relatable moments, while the historical setting adds charm. The plot twist of Daniel becoming the unexpected commentator is particularly satisfying.

In the time-traveling family adventure, Tomorrow’s Game, young Daniel De La Rosa, uninterested in baseball despite his legendary uncle, is transported back to 1957 after a mishap with a mysterious recorder. With the help of a spirited girl named Sally and a young commentator named Jorge, Daniel embarks on a mission to return home, discovering a newfound passion for baseball and forging a surprising connection to his family’s past.

This family-friendly film masterfully blends time travel and baseball nostalgia, creating a heartwarming and adventurous tale about self-discovery and family legacy. The story kicks off with young Daniel De La Rosa, initially disinterested in baseball despite his legendary uncle, being transported back to 1957. With the help of spirited Sally and young commentator Jorge, Daniel embarks on a mission to return to his own time, discovering a newfound passion for baseball along the way.

Children might enjoy this film for its adventurous time-travel plot and the relatable, likable characters. Daniel’s journey from indifference to passion for baseball mirrors many kids’ experiences of discovering new interests. The humorous and exciting moments, like Daniel’s chaotic first encounter with Sally, keep the story engaging. Additionally, the nostalgic setting and the idea of influencing history provide a fun and imaginative escape for young viewers. The show’s well-crafted writing and seamless structure create an engaging flow between past and present. Key moments, like Daniel’s first encounter with Sally and his unexpected commentator role, are well-paced, driving his character development. The screenplay balances humor, drama, and adventure, with relatable characters that build empathy. The rich historical setting enhances the narrative, making the story immersive and emotionally resonant, drawing viewers into Daniel’s journey. The material is accurate and suitable for its intended age group, using vocabulary and concepts appropriate for children. The dialogue is simple and relatable, avoiding complex jargon. For example, Daniel’s explanation of his time travel and the playful banter with Sally, are clear and engaging. The historical references, like the 1957 setting, are presented in an accessible, educational manner.

The film boasts vibrant visuals, with clear, easily identifiable images. The live-action scenes are complemented by well-designed sets and authentic 1957 costumes, enhancing the historical feel. The acting is engaging, especially the dynamic performances by Daniel and Sally. The music is nostalgic, fitting the film’s adventurous and heartwarming tone. The promotional image is appealing, capturing the film’s family-friendly essence. The only shortcoming may be that the story’s premise might feel overly familiar to those who prefer more original narratives. The film encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as Daniel navigates time travel and devises plans to return home. The film supports inquiry into history and sports, making it educational and appropriate for its intended age group, sparking interest in cultural and temporal exploration. The program conveys that discovering one’s passion often requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It highlights the importance of family, legacy, and perseverance.

The film’s message is about how one might need to step outside of their comfort zone to discover their passion. It highlights the importance of family, legacy and perseverance. Through Daniel’s journey, the film shows that understanding and appreciating history can lead to personal growth and unexpected connections. It teaches valuable lessons about perseverance, family, and embracing new experiences, making it both educational and suitable for its intended age group. It also emphasizes the value of teamwork and friendship in overcoming challenges, encouraging viewers to embrace new experiences and learn from the past.

I give Tomorrow’s Game 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It is available now in theaters, VOD, AVOD, streaming and through online retailers.

Set in the fantastical Caribbean-inspired underwater kingdom of Atlantica, the series follows Ariel as she embarks on fun-filled, action-packed mermaid adventures with her friends. Driven by a deep and unending curiosity about the world around her, Ariel discovers land treasures, like a big floppy hat, squeaky rubber ducky and whisk, that she collects and keeps safe in her crystal cavern. Sometimes, Ariel uses the treasures to help solve problems. With each discovery, Ariel is filled with joy, and her mermaid tail, which changes colors depending on her emotions, lights up and shimmers. Full of charm, big ideas and a powerful voice, “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” is coming into her own, learning how to discover and appreciate the world around her and use her voice to inspire others.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “Jumping Jellyfish! Ariel is back for another under the sea adventure in Disney Jr.’s Ariel.  It’s full of friendship, aquatic fun, and music! It’s perfect for kids to watch and enjoy with their family. Young fans of any version of The Little Mermaid will certainly love watching this series!” Maica N. adds, “There are many positive messages from Ariel, but a prominent one is: don’t be afraid of adventure. Ariel is a very curious young girl, and sometimes she faces problems she doesn’t know the answer to. However, she stays persistent and makes the best out of every situation, learning something new along the way.” See their full reviews and interviews below.

Disney Jr.’s Ariel
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Jumping Jellyfish! Ariel is back for another under-the-sea adventure in Disney Jr.’s Ariel.  It’s full of friendship, aquatic fun, and music! It’s perfect for kids to watch and enjoy with their family. Young fans of any version of The Little Mermaid will certainly love watching this series!

Disney Jr.’s Ariel is based on the classic story and film, The Little Mermaid, and takes you on a musical journey following a young Ariel (Mykal-Michelle Harris) and her friends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Lucia (Elizabeth Phoenix Caro) and Fernie (Cruz Flateau) as they experience various adventures in Atlantica. They use the power of friendship, music, and magic to help each other and their friends throughout the show.

The cast of this series is perfect. The actors really connect to the characters, including the way they look. Mykal-Michelle Harris, who voices Ariel, fits this character perfectly in both her personality and her singing voice. The character designs are amazing culturally as well from the hair, to the skin tones, to their dialect speech. I like that they kept the cultural status of Ariel, even making King Triton and Ursula Black characters. I found it interesting how they gave Ursula more human traits and added a special plot twist to her character, which I love. The music in this series is so fun, catchy, and upbeat! I believe that young people will love it; I honestly feel that it adds more to Ariel, considering her love of music and singing.

The design of this show is so colorful and vibrant – it really captures the beauty and uniqueness of the ocean. Each episode is 23 minutes long, with two titles included, so audiences can be entertained for quite some time.

There’s a new message in every episode of this series, addressing issues such as friendship, understanding each other, and patience. This series is educational plus it’s an entertaining experience that gives parents a break.

I give Disney Jr.’s Ariel 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. Disney Jr.’s Ariel premieres on Disney Junior on June 27, 2024.

Disney Jr.’s Ariel
Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, Age 16

After the hit 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid, audiences have been waiting to see more of Ariel and her unique adventures. Disney’s newest animated series, Disney Jr.’s Ariel, gives us a fresh perspective of Ariel in her childhood. Even though this show is geared toward younger audiences, I definitely enjoyed the show’s upbeat and entertaining style.

This series follows eight-year-old Ariel (Mykal-Michelle Harris) growing up in the underwater world of Atlantica. With her best friends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Lucia (Elizabeth Pheonics Caro) and Fernie (Cruz Flateau) she goes on fun and action-packed quests. Ariel’s curiosity drives her adventures, inspiring her to collect pieces of treasure and solve problems in remarkable ways.  

Disney Jr.’s Ariel is the perfect new show for families, especially those with younger children. The first thing that grabbed my attention when watching Ariel was its use of vibrant colors. The bright pinks, blues, and yellows are perfect for younger audiences, giving the characters energy, and keeping kids engaged in the show even if they can’t quite understand the plot yet. A key moment of each episode is when Ariel’s tail shimmers and changes colors when she gets an idea, or her emotions change. Not only do those colors provide energy to the show, but I predict the upbeat and catchy songs will help Ariel become a fan favorite. Mykal-Michelle Harris carries the lead role, Ariel, extremely well, showcasing her well-rounded talents as both an actress and singer. Ariel has a star-studded cast, with seasoned actors like Taye Diggs and Amber Riley joining this series as King Triton and Ursula. Each character, old and new, brings a new point of view to the story of the Little Mermaid, making this a thrilling family-friendly show.

There are many positive messages from Ariel, but a prominent one is: don’t be afraid of adventure. Ariel is a very curious young girl, and sometimes she faces problems she doesn’t know the answer to. However, she stays persistent and makes the best out of every situation, learning something new along the way.

I give Disney Jr.’s Ariel 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. You can find Ariel on Disney Junior on June 27, 2024 and on Disney+ on June 28, 2024. Make sure you check it out!

The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin, Thelma is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar® nominee June Squibb her first leading role on-screen and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree. Squibb plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her. Inspired by a real-life experience of Margolin’s own grandmother, Thelma puts a clever spin on movies like Mission: Impossible, shining the spotlight on an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. With infectious humor, Margolin employs the familiar tropes of the action genre in hilarious, age-appropriate ways to tackle aging with agency. In the first leading film role of her 70-year career, Squibb portrays the strong-willed Thelma with grit and determination, demonstrating that she is more than capable of taking care of business – despite what her daughter Gail, son-in-law or grandson might believe.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ella S. comments, “I love the movie Thelma! It has the perfect combination of action, jokes and emotion that makes it balanced and complete. Thelma taught me many valuable lessons and gives my generation a new perspective on technology and the world we live in.” See her full review below.  

Thelma
By Ella S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

I love the movie Thelma! It has the perfect combination of action, jokes and emotion that makes it balanced and complete. Thelma taught me many valuable lessons and gives my generation a new perspective on technology and the world we live in.

Thelma (June Squibb) is a 93-year-old, widowed woman who is easily scammed due to her hilarious lack of computer knowledge. Michael (Aidan Fiske) and Harvey (Malcom McDowell) call Thelma and impersonate her grandson, Danny (Fred Hechinger), pretending he has gotten into a car accident, Thelma wires $10,000 to an unknown source with no hesitation. When Danny returns home safe and Thelma realizes she has been tricked, she and her friend Ben (Richard Roundtree) steal a scooter from a nursing home and take off on a journey to get their revenge.

I am impressed with the execution of the character development in Thelma, particularly that of Danny. The film begins by depicting him as a caring but irresponsible individual who has good intentions but struggles with organization. However, Thelma’s sudden disappearance serves as a wake-up call, motivating Danny to take initiative, starting by renewing his driver’s license, which his parents (Parker Posey, Clark Gregg) have been reminding him to do. Thelma indirectly influences Danny’s growth by making him step up in a time of crisis.

Thelma also undergoes an improvement when she finally tracks down her scammers. She originally set out to seek revenge but, once she sees that Harvey and Michael are alone and struggling for money, she finds herself sympathizing with them. She gains a sense of perspective when listening to their story and, though she still takes back her money, she leaves them $500, displaying the shift in her focus from revenge to justice. I love that even though Thelma is based on heavier themes such as aging, death, and the flaws of technology, there is plenty of room for humor! My favorite moments in the film are when Thelma and Ben run away with their bright red scooter, angering the staff of the nursing home; and again when Thelma steals a gun without knowing how to use it. Considering that Thelma does not actually hurt anyone, the look on Harvey’s face when she accidentally shoots the wall is priceless. Watching Thelma attempt to learn about computers and pop-up advertisements is equally entertaining.

Thelma taught me many things. I learned to always consider multiple sides of a story before making decisions, and I learned that perspective can change everything. It also reminded me that sometimes people that seem the most fragile actually turn out to be the most capable — so don’t underestimate anyone. That grandma who makes amazing snickerdoodles might turn out to be quite a skilled motorcyclist. Be aware that Thelma contains smoking and mild gun violence although there are no injuries, casualties or bloody scenes.

I give Thelma 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Thelma releases to theaters on June 21, 2024.