KIDS FIRST! News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This film is a biopic about Jose Hernandez and his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut. Jose M Hernandez was born in Mexico. While working in the fields, he co-developed the first digital mammography imaging system. He then persevered to become a crew member on Space Shuttle mission STS-128. Tells how it takes perseverance, community and sacrifice to accomplish a seemingly impossible dream.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Daniel S. comments, “A Million Miles Away is full of remarkable acting. Michael Peńa leads as Hernandez with much charisma and dramatic depth. He excellently captures the humble, smart and ambitious astronaut. It’s very difficult not to root for him, as we can all resonate with aspects of his journey.” See his full review and interview below.

A Million Miles Away
By Daniel S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

A Million Miles Away is an absolutely incredible film that is definitely worth watching. The film has great performances, a compelling story and stunning visuals.

The storyline reveals the true life story of Jose Hernandez, the first migrant farmworker to become an astronaut. His journey is filled with incredible perseverance and resilience, as he overcomes numerous obstacles to achieve his dream of reaching the stars.

A Million Miles Away is full of remarkable acting. Michael Peńa leads as Hernandez with much charisma and dramatic depth. He excellently captures the humble, smart and ambitious astronaut. It’s very difficult not to root for him, as we can all resonate with aspects of his journey. Rosa Salazar portrays the strong, supportive, and similarly determined Adela, who marries Hernandez. Salazar’s performance effectively portrays the film’s theme of dreams interfering with reality and one’s struggle to chase their ambitions while concurrently supporting their family.

The way in which Hernandez’s story is told in this film is especially captivating. The film connects his past with his present life, helping us understand how his earlier life influenced who he has become. Throughout the film, watching Jose get closer and closer to becoming an astronaut is incredibly satisfying. The film keeps us engaged and eager to see how his life unfolds – making it a truly memorable viewing experience.

The film’s message is one of aspiration and persistence. Jose’s path is filled with barriers and obstacles, but his unyielding determination drives him to fulfill and pursue his dreams. With Jose Hernandez’s traits, one can reach what previously felt a million miles away.

I give A Million Miles Away 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases on September 15, 2023 on Amazon Prime.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From writer and director Nia Vardalos, the worldwide phenomenon MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING is coming back to theaters with a brand-new adventure. Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists and turns. Opa!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ella S. comments, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is the latest of the hilarious trilogy — this time with more emotion and nostalgia added to its humor. I was amazed by the cinematography, the characters and, of course, the jokes!” See her full review below.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
By Ella S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

https://youtu.be/dLH2Mb2VJ-c

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is the latest of the hilarious trilogy — this time with more emotion and nostalgia added to its humor. Fans of the franchise will love watching their favorite Greek family back for another wedding and, this time it’s set in Greece! I was amazed by the cinematography, the characters and, of course, the jokes!

The movie follows the Portokalos family as they vacation to their recently deceased father’s (Michael Constantine) hometown in Greece for a family reunion, coordinated by their cousin and self-appointed mayor Victory (Melina Kotselou). In Greece, Toula (Nia Vardalos) attempts to fulfill her father’s death wish — to deliver his old journal to his childhood friends George (Ektoras Kaloudis), Dimos (Menelaos Ntaflos), and Thanasis (Spyros Kasfiks). However, the discovery of even more new extended family members leads to yet another Greek wedding.

Throughoutthe film, the landscapes are beautifully captured, showing some very beautiful pictures of rural Greece.  We see lush green forests and rolling hills, crystal-clear rivers and cloudless blue skies. Closer to the village, we see a long winding road, cobblestone streets, secret passageways and older, worn buildings that have a rustic charm to them. Several times, we see sunny beaches with white sand. This makes it feel more like a three-dimensional experience than a movie.

While fans will miss Grandpa Gus and his amusing ability to connect every word to its Greek root, they will enjoy meeting newer characters such as Toula’s daughter, Paris (Elena Kampouris). Also, many familiar characters have returned, including Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin), who thinks she’s in charge of everyone else, and Toula’s cousin Nick (Louis Mandylor).

The soundtrack features upbeat Greek songs, such as the wedding dance. But my favorite part of the movie is all the jokes. Every morning, the family is awakened by a rooster. Cousin Nick hilariously tries to shave his face at the breakfast table. There is one scene where a sheep randomly enters the house before most people are up. An aunt is startled by the sheep, which is right next to her when she wakens, and exclaims that she thought her husband had come back from the dead.

This film reminds us that time with our loved ones is valuable, and we should make the most of it. We only get to live once, so we should live each day to the fullest and appreciate our cherished people every day.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 gets4.5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. The releases in theaters September 8, 2023.