KIDS FIRST! News

When a young, aspiring fashion designer’s first ideas are passed over, she learns
to stick to her instincts and never give up, bringing more sparkle and brightening the world around her

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Avalon N. Comments, “Caralique is a relatable and inspiring movie. It’s filled with incredible relationships and even more incredible fashion ideas. The movie Caralique focuses a lot on fashion. With that being said, the fashion in the movie is absolutely stunning.” Anna Clara B. adds, “This film is fantastic and so inspiring! It made me believe that we never have to give up even during the hardest situations. My favorite part of the film is when Caralique realizes that she is different, and that is what makes her successful.” Maverick’s response is, “Caralique is extremely appealing — the plot pulled me in from the very beginning, starting with the brief overview of Caralique’s life story and following with interesting conflicts. The characters are easy to sympathize with, adding to the anticipation of what will follow in the story, making each scene that much more enjoyable.” Kyla C. wraps it up with, “The theme of Caralique is to never give up on your dream, even if it seems like everything is against you. Both Caralique and Arlette must overcome so many obstacles to achieve their goals.” See their full reviews below.

Caralique
By Avalon Niemi, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Caralique is a relatable and inspiring movie. It’s filled with incredible relationships and even more incredible fashion ideas.

The plot of this film is centered on a girl named Caralique (Isabella Blake-Thomas) whose mom is forced to give up her fashion dream in France and moves to the United States due to a loss of her job and therefore, money. However her daughter still continues to come up with fashion ideas. This eventually lands her mom a job. The story continues to play out from there.

The movie Caralique focuses a lot on fashion. With that being said, the fashion in the movie is absolutely stunning. All the designs are gorgeous and innovative. They could be worn in real life if someone created them. The film also utilizes languages in a very unique way. In the beginning the mom speaks a lot of both French and English to the daughter, fostering her use of both languages. Then as the daughter continues to get older they use less French but the influence can still be seen. The editors also add subtitles for when French language is used in the film so even if you don’t speak French, you can still understand what’s going on. There are lots of characters in the movie. Each has a distinct personality, such as the character named Eloise (Abbie Georganna) who has an accent and has a very different place in life and in her school, different from others her age.

The message of the film is to trust your instincts and never give up on your dreams.

I give Caralique 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18 plus adults. The film can be viewed on VOD and DVD beginning November 21. 2023.

Caralique
By Anna Clara B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Caralique is a film full of lessons we need to bring to life and has thrilling scenes that I really enjoyed and made me thrilled.

The storyline follows Caralique (Isabella Blake Thomas), a young girl, inspired by her parents, who is completely in love with fashion design and has been since she was a little girl. She wants to make people happy by wearing her clothes. Difficulties happen, but still, Caralique has an extraordinary idea that can change her life.

This film is fantastic and so inspiring! It made me believe that we never have to give up even during the hardest situations. My favorite part of the film is when Caralique realizes that she is different, and that is what makes her successful. Scenes like this make us reflect on life. The acting is absolutely brilliant! For example, Caralique cries when she loses a very dear relative and is very discouraged and I could really feel her despair.

I also liked the costumes, which play a major role in the film – each one is uniquely based on an individual personality. Caralique’s brilliantly shows the stages of her life. Since childhood, she has dressed with a child’s version of contemporary clothes, such as simple denim shorts, a white outfit, or even a dress, with the help of her mother. In adulthood, she dresses differently from the normal, with clothing ideas uniquely her own, reflecting her personality.

The film’s message is to be yourself no matter where you are, believe in your dreams and don’t listen to the bad advice.

I give Caralique 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases on VOD and DVD on November 21, 2023.

Caralique
By Maverick C., KIDS FIRST!

Caralique is extremely appealing — the plot pulled me in from the very beginning, starting with the brief overview of Caralique’s life story and following with interesting conflicts. The characters are easy to sympathize with, adding to the anticipation of what will follow in the story, making each scene that much more enjoyable. It’s a heartwarming story about sticking to what you believe in and doing what you are passionate about.

The storyline follows a young aspiring fashion designer who learns to never give up on her dreams even when she is faced with hardships and has to overcome the difficulties of the fashion industry. Caralique (Isabella Blake-Thomas) learns from her motivating mother and father to chase what she wants most in life — creating fashion in a unique way.

The conflicts help build the fascinating character, Caralique, into someone you can easily relate to and feel sympathy for; her determination is both incredibly riveting and entertaining. Visually this film is spectacularly colorful, each scene being just, if not more, entertaining than the last. This fits the theme of the film perfectly as the fashion is well displayed into every frame and you are easily drawn to what the character will make next. Caralique is a driven character who promotes individualism and staying true to your passion; she succeeds in this by showing great determination and problem solving in unique ways.

The writing in the show is very good, with well-timed pacing and easy-to-follow content. Each scene is significant to the plot development, whether it’s something dramatic or something small. Each character has its own time to be evaluated by the audience and therefore builds sense of empathy for further development. The concepts within the film are definitely suitable for a youth audience — a great amount of the film centers on a teenager’s daily life hanging out with friends, having a part time job, and going to school. A child could enjoy this film, as the story centers around a child’s motivation not to give up on their dreams even in their teenage years. This incredibly important life lesson is communicated throughout the film perfectly using language a child can easily understand and relate to. This film easily encourages audiences to focus on their passions even if they face hardships, which in turn can motivate younger audiences to start their journey early.

The film’s message focuses on the importance of staying motivated to achieve your dreams and not letting others stand in your way. The film encourages the audience to stay motivated and chase your dreams, which is a wonderful life lesson for any age group especially kids.

I give Caralique 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It releases on VOD and DVD November 21, 2023.

Caralique
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Caralique is an emotional film that is also beautiful and inspiring. This film has an excellent story, talented actors and pretty props, designs and costumes. Caralique is truly a work of art that everyone should experience.

This film follows a girl, Caralique (Isabella Blake-Thomas), from her journey as a young, 8-year old (Kali Funston) to a teen with big dreams. Her mom, Arlette (Helene Cardona), was a talented fashion designer who gave up her dreams to raise her daughter. They struggled financially for most of Caralique’s early life, and when her mom loses her job, they must “go on an adventure,” as Arlette calls their search for a home. At one of her mom’s unsuccessful job interviews, Caralique gives the interviewer a drawing she made. This drawing is the key to Caralique’s success, but she faces many obstacles before she gets there.

Caralique’s plot is fun and engaging, with many emotional points as well. The story has a perfect amount of happy, uplifting parts to balance the sadder moments. The main characters are determined and sweet, creating great role models and an inspirational storyline. However, some events in the film are slightly unrealistic. For example, even with Caralique’s impressive artistic abilities, it is doubtful that a job interviewer would take a second glance at a drawing given to them by an eight-year-old. While this makes the film a bit less realistic and relatable, it does boost the optimistic mood and themes of the film. The actors that portray Caralique and Arlette add so much to the film with not only the raw emotion through their voices and facial expressions, but their chemistry as scene partners. Isabella Blake-Thomas and Helene Cardona truly appear as mother and daughter on screen. Their relationship is vital to the development of the story and the emphasis on the theme — and the actors do not disappoint. In addition to the mother-daughter relationship, fashion design is a primary focus of Caralique. Since both main characters are so talented in fashion design it’s important that the dresses, fabrics and designs reflect these qualities. They certainly live up to this expectation. There are original designs, vibrant colors, unique ideas and matching hair and makeup for each one. The screen is so pleasant to look at all the time with these beautiful costumes and props.

The theme of Caralique is to never give up on your dream, even if it seems like everything is against you. Both Caralique and Arlette must overcome so many obstacles to achieve their goals. This inspirational message is a big part of Caralique, and is developed throughout the film.

I give Caralique 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Caralique on VOD and DVD/Blu-ray beginning November 21, 2023.

Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of the boy band ‘BroZone’ with his brothers, Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay. When Floyd is kidnapped, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to reunite his two other brothers and rescue Floyd.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kennedy P. comments, “I love the new animated musical, Trolls Band Together.  The movie delivers a lot of heart, along with showing the importance of family values, friendship, and love.  Trolls Band Together had me out of my seat, dancing and singing along to all the songs.”   Tiana S. adds, “It’s time to hit the backstreet for a new edition to the Trolls movie franchise! Trolls Band Together has the perfect music, acting and animation that kept me *Nsync with the story!”  Kira O. says, “The music adds a lot of energetic fun to the film, including a new song called “Better Place,” from the 90s boy band *NSync. That should make some parents in the audience happy since the band hasn’t released a new song in 20 years!” Valerie R. wraps it up with, “I really admire how they brought NSYNC back together to record the song “Better Place” for the film. All in all, this film is a fun and family-friendly film that I and my family really enjoyed! Plus, I love the very important message this movie conveys. “See their full reviews plus an interview with director, Walter Dohrn below.

Trolls Band Together
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9

I love the new animated musical, Trolls Band Together.  The movie delivers a lot of heart, along with showing the importance of family values, friendship, and love.  Trolls Band Together had me out of my seat, dancing and singing along to all the songs.  

In the film, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple.  As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boy band “BroZone,” with his four brothers.  BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch has not seen his brothers since.  When Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of pop-star villains, Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells), Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.

Trolls Band Together embraces the boy band era with so many references to everyone’s favorite bands.  The movie delivers a lot of heart, along with showing the importance of family values, friendship, and love.  The entire movie is filled with humor, catchy cover songs, amazing animation, and lessons about family.  Directed by Walt Dohm and Tim Heitz, the animation in this DreamWorks production is stunning — all the vibrant colors throughout the movie are amazing.  I was not able to take your eyes off the screen.  All the music goes so well with the storyline in every scene.  It features a new original song, “Better Place,” from Justin Timberlake’s old boy band NSYNC. It was so fun to sing and dance along. 

The voice actors are terrific. Timberlake and Kendrick are joined by Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Icona Pop, Anderson Paak, Ron Funches, Kenan Thompson, Kunal Nayyar plus a handful of newcomers. They could not have picked a better group of actors to voice these characters.  The script by Elizabeth Tippet is so smart, but my favorite part is all the songs and dances throughout the movie. Trolls movies have been a hit with viewers of all ages and this one is no different.  I predict that everyone will be singing and dancing and loving every minute of this movie.  

The film’s message is about family dynamics and how all family relationships are different. It shows viewers that no two families are the same and all families have their differences with each other, but they are still family. Be aware that it contains some rude and suggestive humor and some scary creatures like the Bergens and large spiders, plus the trolls are chased and eaten.

I give Trolls Band Together 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults.  You can watch Trolls Band Together in theaters on November 17, 2023.

Trolls Band Together 
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

It’s time to hit the backstreet for a new edition to the Trolls movie franchise! Trolls Band Together has the perfect music, acting and animation that kept me *Nsync with the story! 

In Trolls Band Together we get to see the family of Branch (Justin Timberlake) and their former band “BroZone.” After the band breaks up, one of the brothers, Floyd (Troye Sivian) gets kidnapped by Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Venner (Andrew Rannells) who steal his talent. It’s up to Branch, his brothers, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and some other new and recurring characters to find a way to save him before it’s too late.

The film’s main characters are Poppy, Branch and the BroZone brothers. There are many new characters introduced in this film. I personally love characters with an evil aura and Velvet has to be my favorite. She’s the perfect mix of a prideful mean girl and a typical big sister. Velvet’s singing performance by Brianna Mazzola sounds so angelic and beautiful, which I loved as well. Speaking of singing, the music covers in this film are outstanding! I love the boy band references throughout the film, like New Kids on The Block, 98 Degrees and One Direction. Plus NSync came together to record a new song for this film. In the film, we see a lot of issues between family members. BroZone members are constantly at odds with each other – John Dory (Eric André), trying to be the boss of everyone and the brothers treating Branch like a baby, causing hard feelings and arguments. Even Velvet shows her evil and demanding ways towards Venner. This movie is worth watching and covers a lot of issues we can relate to.

The film’s message is about the true meaning of family. Being a family by blood is one thing, but actually portraying an equal family system is more important, especially among siblings. Kindness, equality, and understanding can relieve so many issues. Things parents may need to look out for are kissing scenes, love-related aspects like making out or having kids, and other very subtle words. 

I give Trolls Band Together 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It opens in theaters November 17, 2023. Be sure to stay for a short post-credits scene.

Trolls Band Together
By Kira O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Trolls Band Together is an awesome movie! This latest film in this DreamWorks trilogy did not disappoint me! It is filled with surprising back stories for some of the most beloved Trolls characters. 

Similar to the first two Trolls films, viewers join a rescue adventure led by Branch (Justin Timberlake) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick). The film starts with a lead up to the wedding of Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) and King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) when a person from Branch’s past comes crashing in.

We learn that Branch has three older brothers, John Dory (Eric André), Spruce (Daveed Diggs), Clay (Kid Cudi) and Floyd (Troye Sivan). They had a boy band, BroZone that failed, leaving Branch to live alone with their grandmother. Fast forward to present day and Floyd has been kidnapped by the film’s villains, Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells) who plan  to steal Floyd’s singing talent.  John Dory tries to get the band back together, to save Floyd. First, he enlists the help of Poppy and Branch, and then they set out to find Spruce, and then Clay. My favorite part is when they are searching for Clay and end up at an abandoned golf course and discover a new community of trolls. Viva (Camila Cabello) is the leader of the troll community. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but a main character is very important to Viva. The animation is very good and consistent with the Trolls trilogy, which means vibrant colors, a wide range of characters and lots of pop music montages from the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s. The music adds a lot of energetic fun to the film, including a new song called “Better Place,” from the 90s boy band *NSync. That should make some parents in the audience happy since the band hasn’t released a new song in 20 years!

The message of Trolls Band Together is that things do not have to be perfect to work, including families. 

I give Trolls Band Together 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. It releases in theaters on November 17, 2023.

Trolls Band Together 
By Valerie R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Want to embark on a magical adventure filled with funky characters and a spectacular soundtrack? Trolls Band Together is the perfect movie for you and your entire family to watch together on movie night as I and my family loved it. 

The story follows Branch (Justin Timberlake) who discovers that one of his brothers is being held captive by villainous pop stars Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells). Poppy (Anna Kendrick), Branch and his other brothers, Clay (Kid Cudi), John Dory (Eric Andre) and Spruce (Daveed Diggs) embark on an emotional journey in order to rescue their brother Floyd (Troye Sivan). During the journey Poppy discovers she has a long lost sister named Viva (Camila Cabello). Throughout their journey the Trolls learn the importance of family, and the importance of sticking together and solving problems together. 

What I enjoy the most about this film are the character designs and animation throughout the entire film. The animation is perfectly clear and visible; it is very different from the original Trolls movies, and looks hyper-realistic. I love how they reference bands like NSYNC, One Direction and Boys ll Men to describe Branch and his brothers’ former band that disbanded. Another thing I love about this film is the comedic timing of the characters. The jokes are absolutely hysterical! Although there is so much to love about this film I am not a fan of the visual effects; the colors are so exotic that they made me feel quite nauseous and dizzy. The flashing lights and the variety of colors made my eyes hurt. Another thing worth mentioning is the soundtrack, which made me feel like dancing and singing along. I really admire how they brought NSYNC back together to record the song “Better Place” for the film. All in all, this film is a fun and family-friendly film that I and my family really enjoyed! Plus, I love the very important message this movie conveys. 

The film’s message is that family is the most important thing and that family should always stick together. Never take family for granted and always put family first. Please be advised that there is brief profanity.

I give Trolls Band Together 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. Trolls Band Together releases in theaters Friday November 17, 2023

Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team-up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as “The Marvels.” 

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kendall B. comments, “While it is far from perfect, The Marvels is a captivating film filled with adventure and laughter. It has unexpected twists and turns around every corner that help make it an entertaining movie.” Mikella G. adds, “Throughout the movie the three main characters’ powers are synced together, and we often find them switching positions mid fight. The way that this is executed is very impressive. The visuals in the fight scenes, moving from space, to earth, and to other galaxies is all so overwhelming, but intriguing at the same time.” David E. wraps it up with, “The Marvels blends teamwork, girl power, comedy and emotion with action-adventure. It’s heartening to see a movie that not only entertains but also resonates with positive themes.” See their full reviews below.

The Marvels
By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

While it is far from perfect, The Marvels is a captivating film filled with adventure and laughter. It has unexpected twists and turns around every corner that help make it an entertaining movie.

The Marvels centers around members of the Avengers. Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), better known as Captain Marvel, has found herself and her superpowers linked with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and new teenage superhero Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), aka Miss Marvel. These three powerful women must team up to stop Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), the ruler of a struggling civilization who has set her eyes on taking resources from thriving planets. However many secrets about Carol’s past resurface as they do so.

Iman Vellani’s performance as Kamala Khan overpowers the movie with a new side of joy to the MCU. Her explosive personality bursts through the screen as a huge highlight throughout the entire film. I love her character as she brings it to life with a passion. There are so many insane plot twists throughout the film and, while most are a great addition to the plot, a few get a little too crazy for my liking; though they aren’t wild enough to drag the movie down. I enjoyed the plot being based around three strong women who are in charge. It’s something not seen as often in superhero movies, especially in the past, but the MCU has been doing it a lot recently and it’s very empowering. My favorite part of the movie is towards the beginning when Monica, Kamala and Carol first discover their powers have been entangled and they find themselves fighting soldiers in three different places and switching back and forth between locations throughout the battle. It’s super fun to watch and my eyes were glued to the screen.

The message of The Marvels is that true friends and family will love you and always be there for you no matter what. Carol learns this throughout the movie as she sometimes worries about what the people who care for her will think about her past;  eventually, she accepts that they will love her for who she is now and not what she’s done before.

I give The Marvels 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters November 10, 2023.

The Marvels
Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

The Marvels is a blockbuster film, filled with action and adventure. It is highly engaging while still staying true to the message throughout the entire movie.

In this film viewers are reunited with Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) for a second time, in this sequel to Captain Marvel. The plot follows Captain Marvel, along with her little cousin who isn’t so small anymore. After experimenting with the power of time and universes, the two powerful women find themselves to be linked with a teenage girl from New Jersey, who likes to think of herself as Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani). These three team up in order to gain their revenge on the Supreme Intelligence, all while going up against old and new enemies, and keeping the universes stable.

A huge standout in this film is the CGI effects. Throughout the movie the three main characters’ powers are synced together, and we often find them switching positions mid fight. The way that this is executed is very impressive. The visuals in the fight scenes, moving from space, to earth, and to other galaxies is all so overwhelming, but intriguing at the same time. Additionally, the costumes are really impressive and eye-catching. In the different universes that they explore, the people in those villages have the most unique looks – everything from their hair, to their makeup and their attire is so creative, and really stands out. I also enjoyed Captain Marvel’s signature suit she wears, which really contributes to her statement look.

Finally, this film is highly engaging. There is never a dull moment, and it held my attention the entire time. Every scene is packed with action, and definitely lives up to the original film, as well as the Marvel name. I also enjoyed the plot, and how straight forward it is. It gets right to the point. I never found my mind wandering off, or feeling lost in the story. The movie kept attention 100%  of the time, which is rare.

The message of The Marvels is to remember your truth, and always do what you believe is right. Be forewarned that this film contains some intense fighting scenes and the use of weapons.

I give The Marvels 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Marvels releases in theaters November 10, 2023.

The Marvels
By David E., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The film, The Marvels blends teamwork, girl power, comedy and emotion with action-adventure. It’s heartening to see a movie that not only entertains but also resonates with positive themes. 

The central plot revolves around Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Mrs. Marvel (Iman Vellani) teaming up to thwart the menacing Der-Bann (Zawe Ashton) from wreaking havoc on their homes – classic Marvel setup.

The enthusiasm for the film is palpable; the movie is successful in delivering a compelling, entertaining, and empowering cinematic experience. The brevity of The Marvels sets a new record for Marvel in terms of its runtime and it stands out in a franchise known for sprawling narratives. The commendation extends to the CGI and camera work, with special mention of shots and angles that enhance the viewing experience. It’s clear that attention to detail has been a priority, ensuring that every frame contributes to the overall brilliance of the film. Brie Larson’s portrayal of Captain Marvel showcases her character’s development. The shift from a more serious tone to a nuanced performance is highlighted, indicating growth in both the actor and the character. Zawe Ashton’s portrayal of the villain, Dar-Benn, earns high praise, what I consider to be “Oscar-Worthy.” The film’s pacing is lauded for its seamless flow, allowing the audience to absorb every moment without missing a beat. 

The emphasis on “girl power” as the film’s message is particularly noteworthy, aligning with the growing trend of empowering narratives in the entertainment industry. However, be forewarned about the profanity in the film which adds a layer of responsibility to parents.  I give The Marvels 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Marvel fans, both young and old, will find an exciting experience when this film opens in theaters on November 10, 2023

A troubled security guard begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. During his first night on the job, he realizes that the night shift won’t be so easy to get through. Pretty soon he will unveil what actually happened at Freddy’s.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mikella G. comments, “Five Nights at Freddy’s is a comedic horror film, filled with intensity and suspense. It brought me to the edge of my seat and kept me wanting more… The message of Five Nights at Freddy’s is to listen to your heart and never give up on what you believe in.” See her full review below.

Five Nights at Freddy’s
By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Five Nights at Freddy’s is a comedic horror film, filled with intensity and suspense. It brought me to the edge of my seat and kept me wanting more. 

Based on the popular and highly-engaging video game, the storyline follows Mike (Josh Hutcherson), who is struggling to make it financially while having to care for his younger sister. He gets offered a security job night shift for the abandoned “Freddy’s Pizzeria” and, at first, is hesitant, but eventually realizes that he has no choice. Mike struggles with past family trauma and has very vivid dreams at night. When he starts to fall asleep at work his dreams get longer and clearer. He soon learns that the job he has taken can be the answer to more things than he could have ever imagined.

A huge standout in this film is the cinematography. Every camera angle holds so much purpose, and is made with such intention. Moods are created from a singular camera angle and set the tone for the entire film. For example, the flashbacks scenes that accompany Mike’s dreams focus on specific moments to highlight their importance. The director, Chris Columbus, creates this uncomfortable feeling through his work, and delivers an outstanding film.

Additionally, I really enjoyed the suspense throughout the entire movie. I never knew what was going to happen next, and I was riveted to the screen. I wanted to cover my eyes, but didn’t want to look away at the same time! There is the perfect amount of scariness, laughter and surprise. Lastly, the message of this film is both heartwarming and intriguing.

The importance of never giving up is highlighted in such an interesting way and can almost be hard to spot. However, at the end, even though we are left wanting more, it is clear that hope is one of the only ways to get through life. Joy and happiness is a must in order to continue successfully, and that is the underlying meaning of this movie.

The message of Five Nights at Freddy’s is to listen to your heart and never give up on what you believe in. Be forewarned that this film does include gruesome content.

I give Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Five Nights at Freddy’s in theaters and on Peacock October 27, 2023.

Loki: Season 2 picks up in the aftermath of the shocking season finale when Loki finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Along with Mobius, Hunter B-15 and a team of new and returning characters, Loki navigates an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous multiverse in search of Sylvie, Judge Renslayer, Miss Minutes and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose. 

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Episode 5 of Loki: Season 2 is a unique, thrilling portrait of Loki rocketing through the multiverse, paying for his past mistakes; it offsets Marvel’s other tedious TV projects with action and vivacity. It didn’t disappoint my expectations, and I’m sure it won’t let down ardent Marvel fans, those binging the show, or others looking for an episode to catch on Disney+.” Tiana S. adds, “Loki: Season 2, Episode 3, 1893 is the climax episode that will keep viewers entertained. Filled with action, time travel, plot twists and dramatic irony, this is one of the most engaging episodes. Gavin S. wraps it up with, “I really enjoyed the new season of Loki because of the CGI, the acting, the time manipulation in the show and the messages in the show. This series is kid-friendly with some moderate violence and could also be of interest to adults as well.” See his full review below.

Loki, Season 2 Episode 5
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Episode 5 of Loki: Season 2 is a unique, thrilling portrait of Loki rocketing through the multiverse, paying for his past mistakes; it offsets Marvel’s other tedious TV projects with action and vivacity. It didn’t disappoint my expectations, and I’m sure it won’t let down ardent Marvel fans, those binging the show, or others looking for an episode to catch on Disney+.

Loki: Season 2 picks up with Loki  (Tom Hiddleston) searching for the soul of the Time Variance Authority, an authority dedicated to preserving the Sacred Timeline. In Episode 5, he’s focused on using his almost-funny time-slipping abilities to get to all the people who were at the Time Variance Authority when wires were crossed. None of them recognize him, and Loki can’t stop slipping into new times and locations. For example, he sees Mobius (Owen Wilson) selling jet skis as a middle-aged dad in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2022. The God of Mischief assembles a team and tries to earn their trust. Perhaps it’s because I was entering this episode blind, but the plot seems extremely complex for the first half of the episode as I pieced things together; luckily, things were much easier to understand after establishing some context.

In Season 2, the stakes are elevated, and the writing is super strong; I was glued to the screen throughout the 45-minute Episode 5. The visual effects are very realistic, as are the practical sets — the color-correction across timelines differs, but it adds to the aesthetic of each character whom Loki is trying to find. The cinematography is wonderful, with lots of close-ups and medium shots to capture Tom Hiddleston’s emotions, along with those of the other characters. Mentioning the cast, all skillfully carry the complex plot, which could have become overwhelming. Tom Hiddleston is one of my favorite actors – the lovable yet full-of-himself Norse god Loki. Ke Huy Quan as OB, the techie trying to help Loki, is another favorite I didn’t expect; his earnest effort to help and bumbling personality go together wonderfully. Owen Wilson as Mobius adds a wonderful comedic tint to the episode, with physical comedy (miming that he’ll call the police on Loki when he first arrives), zingers, and more subtle lines (He remarks with a bewildered expression that when Loki time-slips, “it looks like you’re being born, or dying – or both at the same time.”). Overall, a wonderful package.

This episode of the show promotes teamwork and taking responsibility to solve problems when they arise. Loki may be the God of Mischief, but he takes a remarkable amount of accountability to restore the TVA and works with every character across timelines. Loki’s time-slipping can feel a little bit like a jump scare, with his face and body contorting and some demonic noises accompanying it, so parents with young children might want to tell them to brace themselves.

Loki: Season 2, Episode 5 gets 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Loki Season 2 is playing exclusively on Disney+ now, with new episodes weekly.

Loki: Season 2, Episode 3, 1893
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Loki: Season 2, Episode 3, 1893 is the climax episode that will keep viewers entertained. Filled with action, time travel, plot twists and dramatic irony, this is one of the most engaging episodes.

This episode continues Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) journey at the TVA with Mobius (Owen Wilson), but it travels back in time to visit another variant of “He Who Remains,” named Victor Timely (Jonathan Majors) in 1893, who, after being given a TVA notebook by Ravonna (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and the rouge cartoon clock, Miss Minutes (Tara Strong), proceeds to work on various invention prototypes. This leads to a feud between the many teams in a battle of their wants and needs from this new “He Who Remains” variant. You’ll have to watch to see how the story unfolds.

I love seeing Jonathan Majors as the “He Who Remains” variant. His character’s stutter is realistic, adds depth to his role while he gives an incredible performance. It is hard for me to even believe it’s him. The costumes are also amazing. When the present-day characters travel to 1893 their outfits change to reflect the new era.

The special effects of characters like Miss Minutes’ and Loki’s powers are mind-blowing. Keep in mind this episode is pretty lengthy, but it doesn’t feel like it, at all. It’s incredible how the writers can stray from a typical Loki storyline and still make it engaging and entertaining. Music also plays a big part in this show, especially in relation to the different time periods and the action scenes. And keeping with the time travel, even the regular Marvel intro is updated with the sounds of classic piano tunes, which is really creative!

This episode touches on believing in yourself, finding where you belong, and trusting in others. This episode shows many examples of these messages from Victor Timely presenting all his new ideas to the times when evil strikes and betrayal occurs. The only scene that is somewhat inappropriate is one where Miss Minutes tries to flirt with Mr. Timely.

Loki: Season 2, Episode 3,1893 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. You can watch it on Disney+ now and new episodes release every Thursday.

Loki Season 2, Episode 4
By Gavin S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Loki Season 2, Episode 4 is a new fun, adventurous and action-packed experience for those who have already seen the first season as well as those who are just beginning to watch the show. I really enjoyed the new season of Loki because of the CGI, the acting, the time manipulation in the show and the messages in the show. This series is kid-friendly with some moderate violence and could also be of interest to adults as well.

The storyline follows the mercurial villain, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Along with Mobius (Owen Wilson), Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) and a team of new and returning characters, Loki tries to stop the temporal loom from exploding and destroying not only the TVA (Time Variance Authority), but also a big fraction of the quantum realm with it. Throughout his journey he makes new friends and meets new enemies. Once he and his team begin their mission to prevent the explosion of the temporal loom, something horrible happens, something so horrible that it would change their lives forever.

This new episode is phenomenal, and I enjoyed it a lot, primarily because of the CGI. The CGI makes everything like space debris and the particles flying around in the quantum realm look so realistic. Another thing I really enjoyed about this episode is the acting. The cast play their roles so well and put on terrific performances. Additionally, the time manipulation is absolutely mind blowing. In one scene we see Loki talking to Sylvie, and when Sylvie goes to the next floor, she sees present day Loki zapping another Loki from a different timeframe. This scene is the icing on the cake for me. I like how this show is kid-friendly but can easily interest some adults as well. 

Although there are many messages this series portrays, the one that I really like and rings very true to life is that the most valuable thing a person can spend is time, whether it’s time with family, time at work, or time alone. Be forewarned that it does contain moderate violence, some cursing, and some alcohol use.

Loki Season 2, Episode 4 gets 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available now on Disney+ so be sure to check it out. See ya!