Faith First for Families::Movie Reviews by Kids

What is this movie about?
This movie is about a tap-dancing penguin named, Mumble. In the movie, the penguins attract each other with a “heartsong,” a mating call unique to each penguin. In real life, it is a series of squawks. But in the movie, the penguins sing hip-hop, oldies and rock. Unfortunately, Mumble, the talented dancer, can’t carry a tune.

One day, Mumble tries to teach other penguins some dance moves. But when Noah, one of the elders, finds out, Mumble is blamed for the food shortage and banished from the community.

If you want to find out if Mumble wins the heart of his true love or how he discovered the true reason for the food shortage, you’ll have to see the movie.

What did you like about this movie?
I thought the animation was amazing. The penguins and the glaciers all looked so real. I also really liked Ramon because he was so funny.

What didn’t you like about this movie?
I didn’t like how Noah banished Mumble without knowing all the facts. He blamed Mumble for the food shortage and it was not at all his fault.

Would you recommend this movie?
I thought this was a great movie and I want to see it again. There are a couple scary parts, so it might not be okay for very young children. Other than that, this movie would make a great family movie because adults will enjoy it too.

Does this movie try to teach anything?
This movie tries to teach all sorts of lessons from prejudice to taking care of the environment. But the overall theme is about love and accepting ourselves and others.

What is this movie about?
This movie tells the Bible story of how Jesus was born. It begins with the angel announcing to Mary that she will be the Mother of Jesus.

What did you like about this movie?
I liked seeing the Bible story I have heard so many times alive on the big movie screen. I’ve imagined what it might have been like, so it was fun to see how the movie makers told the story.

What didn’t you like about this movie?
I didn’t like how Herod tried to interfere.

Would you recommend this movie?
I thought this was a very good movie. I would recommend it to all ages and it would make a great family movie. It helps get you in the Christmas spirit!

Does this movie try to teach you anything?
The overall message is about peace and good will.

Previous Reviews

Movie Review: Flicka
By Mikaela, age 13

This is a 20th Century Fox film that is rated PG.

What is this movie about?
This movie is based on the book, “My Friend Flicka,” by Mary O’Hara. Instead of the story being set in the early 1900’s, the movie updates the setting to modern day Wyoming. Another change from the book to the movie is that the main character is a girl instead of a boy.

In “Flicka,” Katie returns home to the family ranch after a semester of prep school. Katie had nearly flunked out of school because she is such a daydreamer. While out riding in the mountains, she comes across a wild mustang. She quickly bonds with the horse and names it Flicka. Although Katie is determined to tame the horse, her father sells Flicka to a rodeo. Eventually, Katie and Flicka are reunited.

What did you like about this movie?
I liked how this family stuck together even when things were tough. They loved each other and respected each other even when they disagreed with each other.

What didn’t you like about this movie?
I didn’t like it when Katie’s dad sold Flicka to the rodeo.

Would you recommend this movie?
I thought this was an excellent movie. It would be a great family movie and all ages would enjoy it.

Does this movie try to teach anything?
This movie teaches about the importance of family.

What is this movie about?
This movie takes place during the Great Depression and is about a 10-year-old boy named Yankee Irving. Other kid’s tease him because of his small size. One day, Yankee’s dad is fired from his job as a janitor at Yankee Stadium because Babe Ruth’s bat is stolen. Yankee decides to find the bat in order to get his dad’s job back. Yankee’s sidekick is a talking baseball named Screwie. The bat, Darlin’, also talks. Along the way, Yankee learns many valuable life lessons.

What did you like about this movie?
I really liked Yankee. He proves that anyone can be a hero if your heart is in the right place.

What didn’t you like about this movie?
I did not like the Chicago baseball player who stole the bat.

Would you recommend this movie?
This is a great movie for all ages. It is a movie the whole family can enjoy!

Does this movie try to teach anything?
This movie teaches many life lessons. It encourages people to keep going even when life gets tough.

What is this movie about?
This movie is about a grizzly bear named Boog. He was rescued as a cub by a forest ranger named Beth. He lives in her garage and performs daily in an outdoor nature show. Boog is friends with a mule deer named Elliot. Boog had freed Elliot from the hood of a hunter’s car. One day Boog is released into the wild. But rather than being pleased with his release, he chooses to find his way back home. Boog meets all sorts or animals in the woods. They work together to run the hunters out of the forest.

What did you like about this movie?
I liked how all the animals worked together to run the hunters out of the forest.

Would you recommend this movie?
I thought this movie was very funny and people of all ages would enjoy it. However, Shaw, the hunter, might scare very young children.

Does this movie try to teach you anything?
This movie teaches people about the importance of friendship.

What is this movie about?
This movie is about Lucas Nickle. Lucas is 10 years old, new to the neighborhood, and being bullied. One day, Lucas takes his frustration out on an ant hill in his yard. To Lucas’ surprise, an ant wizard retaliates by shrinking Lucas to the size of an ant and forcing him to make amends.

What did you like about this movie?
I loved the part where the ants and wasps attack the exterminator.

What didn’t you like about this movie?
There was not anything I did not like about this movie.

Would you recommend this movie?
I thought this movie was good clean fun. It would make a great family movie. I would recommend this movie for children about age seven and older. The part with the bullfrog might scare some very young children.

Does this movie try to teach anything?
In this movie the ants teach Lucas many lessons as they teach him about how they live: ants always work together, look out for one another, and think of others before themselves.

What is this movie about?
This movie is based on the true life story of Vince Papale, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. In the beginning of the story, Vince is working as a substitute teacher and a part-time bartender. To make matters worse, his wife leaves him. Vince is a die-hard Eagles fan. One day, the Eagles coach, Dick Vermeil, announces that the Eagles are going to hold open tryouts for the team. Vince, without any college or professional experience, tries out for the team.

What didn’t you like about this movie?
I didn’t like how the professional players treated Vince in the beginning.

Would you recommend this movie?
I thought this was a great movie and a really good story. I would recommend this movie to older kids and adults because there is some bad language used in the movie.

Does this movie try to teach you anything?
In the movie, the coach says that heart is the key to success and that heart can make up for other shortcomings.