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Movie Reviews for Kids
Are you looking for a movie to entertain the kids this weekend? Have you been wondering about that new kid’s movie that just came out? Are you interested in finding a movie that has educational value? Look no further! KidsKorner will be posting movie reviews of old and new kid’s movies each month. Some reviews are staff-written, but we encourage you to submit your reviews as well!
Movie reviews will be posted online each month in this section. Anyone who submits a review will be entered into a monthly raffle for a free movie ticket.
You can mail reviews to Columbia Association, Attn: KidsKorner, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044 or e-mail them to CAmonthly@ColumbiaAssociation.com. Be sure to have your parents sign the permission slip!
"The Lion King"
Review by Aria White
In this classic, animated Disney movie, lions rule the Pride Land in Africa. When Simba is born to King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, Mufasa’s brother, Scar, becomes insanely jealous. As long as Simba is next in line for the throne, Scar will only be the outcast of the family. Even though he’s only a cub, Simba can’t wait to be king because when he’s king he’ll be able to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants.
In an attempt to gain access to the kingdom, Scar stages a stampede to kill Mufasa. When Scar convinces Simba that his father’s death was his fault, Simba runs off into the jungle to escape his friends and family. Along the way, Simba meets Timon and Pumbaa, a fast-talking meerkat and a flatulent warthog whose motto is "Hakuna Matata," which means no worries. When Scar takes over the kingdom and runs it into the ground, Simba has to decide if he should come back and fight for his rightful place as king or stay in the jungle where he doesn’t have a care in the world. Can Simba undo all of the damage Scar has done to the Pride Land? Or will Scar and the hyenas continue to destroy the kingdom? Rent or buy this movie to find out!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Never be scared to stand up for what you believe in, you’re braver than you know.
"The Lion King" Diamond Edition on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, Blu-Ray 3D and movie download were released by Walt Disney Studios on October 4, 2011.
"Finding Nemo"
Review by Aria White
The bond between a father and son is special and unbreakable. After Marlin’s wife and all of their eggs but one are eaten by a predator, he becomes extremely protective of the one child he has left, Nemo. Nemo has a stunted fin and even though some of the other fish make fun of him, Marlin continues to encourage him to keep his head up and embrace his differences.
When Nemo gets caught by a fisherman and ends up in a child’s aquarium, Marlin, goes on an epic journey across the ocean to find him and bring him back home. During his trek, Marlin meets a host of eccentric characters, including Dory, a ditzy blue fish who tries to help find Nemo, a sensitive shark and a few far out turtles. In the end, he finds out that is braver than he gave himself credit for and he learns that Nemo is capable of taking care of himself, despite his shortcomings. Will Marlin be able to find Nemo and bring him back home? Rent this Disney and Pixar animated film to find out!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Never let your shortcomings keep you down, you’re capable of achieving anything you put your mind to.
“Finding Nemo” was released on DVD by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Studios in 2003.
"Gnomeo and Juliet"
Review by Aria White
Based on William Shakespeare’s classic play "Romeo and Juliet," "Gnomeo and Juliet" follows the battle between the blue and the red gnomes who live in the yards of Ms. Montague and Mr. Capulet (respectively). Just like in the play, the blue gnomes and the red gnomes are involved in a bitter rivalry. Every day when the humans leave their houses, the gnomes come alive and wage war against one another. But when a red gnome named Juliet and a blue gnome named Gnomeo meet and instantly fall in love with one another, they have to convince their families to accept them as a couple. With an epic lawnmower fight, an accidental death and a flame-throwing monster lawnmower that threatens to destroy both gardens, "Gnomeo and Juliet" will make you laugh, cry and say "aww." Can Gnomeo and Juliet make their relationship work despite all of the fighting? Or will they suffer the same fate as Shakespeare’s characters? Rent this movie to find out!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Love can overcome anything, even a family rivalry.
"Gnomeo and Juliet" was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in 2011.
"A Goofy Movie"
Review by Aria White
Have you ever been trapped in a car with your embarrassing parent for a cross-country bonding trip? If you have, you can relate to Max’s pain in this animated Disney movie. Max is Goofy’s son and although he’s a relatively good kid, he gets into some trouble at school while trying to impress a girl; he hijacks a school assembly and does an impression of Powerline, a popular singer and dancer. Even though he gets detention, his prank pays off and the beautiful Roxanne finally notices him and asks him to be her date for a Powerline concert-watching party at her house. In order to "fix" Max’s bad behavior, Goofy becomes determined to take him on a cross-country father-son fishing trip. Unfortunately for Max, going on the road trip means he has to cancel his date with Roxanne. When Max tells Roxanne he can’t come to her party, he lies and says it’s because he’s going to be on stage at the Powerline concert. During the road trip, Max takes control of the map and attempts to steer Goofy to the Powerline concert instead of the lake. Will Max be able to make his lie come true without hurting his dad’s feelings? Or will he upset both Roxanne and Goofy with his lies? Rent this classic Disney movie to find out.
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Even though your family can get on your nerves sometimes, they’ll always be there for you no matter what.
"A Goofy Movie" was released on DVD by Walt Disney Pictures in 2000.
"Cars"
Review by Aria White
In this animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, Lightning McQueen is the king of flashy race cars. With his shiny red paint and spotless interior, he whips past the competition every time. But when McQueen takes a wrong turn and ends up in Radiator Springs, a slow-moving country town, he learns that there’s more to life than racing. While in Radiator Springs, McQueen damages the major road in town and is sentenced to help repair it. During his sentence, he meets other cars who enlighten him on the true meaning of family and friendship. Along the way, he meets a new best friend, a beaten-up tractor named Mater. Mater begins to like McQueen’s style and teaches him a thing or two about living in the middle of nowhere. Will McQueen eventually be able to live a regular life with family and friends? Or will he return to his fast-paced racing lifestyle? Rent this movie to find out! And be sure to check out the sequel, Cars 2, in theaters now!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: There’s more to life than being the first one to cross the finish line, some things are worth slowing down for.
"Cars" was released on DVD in 2006 and Blu-Ray in 2007 by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios.
"Cinderella"
Review by Aria White
Cinderella is the gorgeous underdog in this classic animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures. Although her uniform usually consists of tattered rags and she spends most of her time cleaning up after her stepsisters and her evil stepmother, Cinderella’s inner beauty always finds a way to shine through.
When the king of the land decides that it’s time for his son to choose a wife, he invites all of the single ladies in the kingdom to a meet-and-greet ball. Cinderella’s evil stepsisters are attending the ball, naturally, but Cinderella is ordered by her stepmother to stay home and clean. Luckily for Cinderella, her fairy godmother and two mice named Jacques and Gus are willing and able to help her out. Cinderella’s fairy godmother gives Cinderella a beautiful gown, glass slippers and a horse-drawn carriage to ride in. But there’s one catch, Cinderella has to be home by the time the clock strikes midnight or she will change back into her rags and her carriage will turn into a pumpkin.
When she arrives at the ball, Cinderella makes an instant connection with the prince and they dance the night away. But when the clock strikes midnight, Cinderella rushes out, leaving only her glass slipper behind. The next day, the prince begins a search for the mystery girl with the glass slipper. Will the prince eventually discover that Cinderella, the girl dressed in rags, is his true love? Rent this classic film to find out!
Rating: G
Moral: Don’t be afraid to dream big, because your wildest dreams just might come true!
"Cinderella" was released on DVD by Walt Disney Pictures in 2005.
"Monsters Inc."
Review by Aria White
In this animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, you can catch a glimpse into the lives of closet monsters. Mike and Sulley are two closet monsters who scare young children for a living. But they’re not evil; they scare children only because screams power their city, Monstropolis. The city is in the middle of an energy crisis because kids are becoming harder to scare. When Mike, a short, green cyclops, and Sulley, a large, blue and green monster, enter into a child’s bedroom at the end of the day, a two-year-old little girl follows them back into Monstropolis. Unfortunately, the girl, whom they name "Boo," isn’t scared of Sulley or Mike, she thinks they’re funny. But the residents of Monstropolis believe humans are toxic, so Boo must be hidden until Mike and Sulley can get her back home. When Sulley’s rival, the creepy-looking chameleon named Randall, learns that Mike and Sulley are hiding a human he sets out to capture her and place her in his scary scream machine. Will Sulley and Mike be able to outsmart Randall and keep Boo safe? Will Monstropolis be able to find a new energy source? Rent this family-friendly movie to find out!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Things aren’t always as they appear.
"Monsters Inc." was released on Blu-ray and DVD in 2001 by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios.
"The Little Mermaid"
Review by Aria White
This classic animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures features a beautiful red-haired mermaid princess named Ariel who dreams of someday trading in her fins for a pair of legs. Although her father, King Triton, forbids her from visiting the surface of the water, Ariel constantly watches humans and daydreams about the day when she can join them. When the evil sea witch, Ursula, learns that Ariel is in love with a human prince, she tricks Ariel into trading her voice for a pair of legs so that she can be with him on land. Ursula tells Ariel that if she can get Prince Eric to give her the "kiss of true love" within three days, she will remain a human, but if she can’t she’ll be turned back into a mermaid and will become Ursula’s property. When Eric meets Ariel and is instantly smitten, even though she can’t speak, Ursula intervenes and makes Eric fall for her instead. Will Ariel be able to convince Eric to fall for her before the end of the third day? Or will she be turned into Ursula’s slave forever? Rent this classic Disney film to find out!
Rating: G
Moral: Sometimes you have to follow your heart to discover where you truly belong.
"The Little Mermaid" was released on DVD by Walt Disney Pictures in 2006.
"Hop"
Review by Aria White
E.B. is a teenage bunny who dreams of being a rock star drummer. But his dad, the Easter Bunny, has other plans for E.B.’s future; he wants E.B. to become the new Easter Bunny and run the candy factory and deliver candy baskets to children all over the world on Easter. When E.B. runs away from home to escape his planned future, he meets Fred O’Hare, an out-of-work slacker who lives with his parents. Fred is kicked out of his parents’ house and gets an opportunity to housesit for his sister’s boss. But when Fred accidentally runs E.B. over with his car, he’s stuck babysitting the out-of-control rabbit. While Fred and E.B. try to get along, E.B.’s dad finds himself on the wrong end of a revolt in the factory. In the absence of a new Easter Bunny to take E.B.’s place, the head chicken, Carlos, stages a revolt pitting chickens against bunnies. Although he’s not a bunny, Carlos insists that a chicken can be the Easter Bunny. Will E.B. and Fred be able to save the factory from Carlos? Or will they be too wrapped up in their own lives to help E.B.’s dad? Visit your local movie theater to find out!
Rating: PG
Moral of the Story: It’s important to follow your dreams, but never forget your responsibilities.
"Beauty and the Beast"
Review by Aria White
This classic animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures features a beautiful young woman named Belle, who would rather read a book than swoon over a boy. When Belle’s father is captured by the Beast, who lives in a castle deep in the woods, Belle makes it her mission to rescue him. When she meets the Beast, she strikes a deal with him to take her father’s place as his prisoner. Although she is miserable at first, Belle soon learns that there is more to the Beast than meets the eye. She learns that Beast is a prince in disguise; he is under the spell of a witch. The Beast shows Belle that beneath his tough exterior, he is a gentle soul. Eventually Belle and the Beast fall in love with each other, with the help of his servants who are trapped inside household appliances. Unfortunately, Belle’s father and other townspeople believe Belle is being tortured by the Beast and they set out to kill him. Will Belle be able to protect the Beast from the townspeople? Will she be able to break the spell and turn the Beast back into a prince? Rent this movie to find out!
Rating: PG
Moral of the Story: Beauty is only skin-deep; what counts is what’s inside.
"Megamind"
Review by Aria White
Megamind, a skinny, big-headed blue alien, has always been good at being the bad guy. He was born and raised by a prison filled with evil-doers. Megamind spends most of his life battling with Metro Man, a stereotypical "good guy". But once he fulfills his lifelong mission to defeat Metro Man, his superhero nemesis, he learns that being bad doesn’t make him happy anymore. Megamind begins to believe that without someone to fight, being an evil genius is boring and uneventful. In an attempt to get rid of his boredom, Megamind tries to invent a new superhero to battle. But when his new superhero decides to become evil, Megamind has to rise to the occasion and do the unthinkable…become a hero! Will Megamind be able to actually do the right thing? Or will he be destined to stay a bad guy forever? Rent or buy this movie to find out!
Rating: PG
Moral of the Story: No matter who you are, everyone is capable of change.
"Oliver & Company"
Review by Aria White
This classic animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures was inspired by Charles Dickens’ "Oliver Twist." The storyline follows a homeless orange kitten named Oliver. After roaming the dangerous and confusing street of New York City on his own, Oliver meets a wild group of dogs who survive by stealing what they need from other people. The leader of the group, Dodger, decides to show Oliver the ropes of living and surviving on the streets. After meeting Dodger’s owner Fagin, Oliver discovers that Fagin is in trouble and owes a lot of money to a loan shark named Sykes. During an elaborate plan to scam money out of people, Oliver ends up being taken by a young, rich girl named Jenny. Oliver enjoys his new life with Jenny, but Dodger and the other dogs become jealous of his new home. When Jenny is kidnapped by Sykes and held for ransom, Oliver, Dodger and the other dogs rally together to save her. Will Oliver be able to save Jenny in time? Rent or buy this movie to find out!
Rating: G
Moral: No matter where life takes you, you should never forget who your true friends are.
"Toy Story 3"
Review by Aria White
Buzz, Woody, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Barbie and the rest of the toys from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are back in this CGI animated film. This time around, Andy (the owner of the toys) is 17 and packing for college. After packing his beloved toys away to be stored in the attic, the toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center. The toys are excited to be played with again, until they discover that their new playmates are sticky and violent! Now the toys have to scheme and devise a plan to escape the day-care center and return home to Andy. But a few of the day-care toys are standing in their way. Will Woody and his friends ever make it back to Andy, or will they be trapped in the day-care center forever? Rent or buy this movie to find out!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Instead of throwing your old things away, consider giving them to someone else. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
"Toy Story 3" was released on Blu-Ray and DVD by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures in 2010.
"Alice in Wonderland"
Review by Aria White
This classic animated movie from Walt Disney Pictures follows Alice, a young girl who follows a white rabbit down a deep hole and finds herself in the mysterious world of ‘Wonderland’. As Alice wanders through Wonderland searching for the White Rabbit, she meets a host of strange characters including a disappearing Cheshire Cat, talking flowers, a Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. When Alice’s journey leads her to the home of the Queen of Hearts, Alice quickly learns that she is not welcome in Wonderland. Later on, the Queen of Hearts orders Alice’s execution and Alice must race to find a way home. Will Alice ever be able to escape the Queen of Hearts and be able to return to her home? Rent or buy this movie to find out.
Rating: G
Moral: If you let your mind wander, it can take you to strange and mysterious places.
"Alice in Wonderland" was released on Blu-Ray and DVD by Walt Disney Pictures in 2011.
"Tangled"
Review by Aria White
After baby Princess Rapunzel’s hair gains healing powers from a magical flower she is kidnapped by Mother Gothel, who traps Rapunzel in a tower so she can keep her magical powers all to herself. After being locked away for 18 years with only her 70-foot blonde, magical hair, her "mother" and her chameleon friend Rascal to entertain her, Rapunzel begins to dream about what life is like beyond her tower. When a thief appears in her tower one day and offers to show her what the outside world is like, Rapunzel escapes and sets off on a wild and crazy adventure. After seeing what the world is like, Rapunzel begins to discover who she really is. Will she eventually find her way back home, or will Mother Gothel trap her back in her tower for good? Visit your local movie theater and watch Tangled to find out!
Rating: G
Moral of the Story: Sometimes you have to look outside yourself to discover who you truly are.
"Tangled" was released in theaters on November 24, 2010 by Walt Disney Pictures.
"Antz"
Review by Aria White
This classic animated movie from Dreamworks Pictures follows Z, a worker ant who dreams of someday standing out from the crowd. Although he lives in a colony filled with millions of other ants, Z tries to maintain his individuality. When he switches places with his soldier friend, Weaver, Z becomes a hero and tries to win the heart of Princess Bala (who is already engaged to the evil General Mandible). Princess Bala and Z find common ground in their desire to leave their society in search of a place where everyone is free to be whoever they want to be. They soon decide to seek a place called Insectopia, where there is an abundance of food that paves the streets. Will Z and Princess Bala eventually make it to the “Promised Land”? Or will they be forced to live in their oppressive society forever? Rent or buy this movie to find out.
Rating: PG
Moral: No one can take away your individuality, but sometimes you have to fight for it.
"Antz" was released on VHS and DVD by Dreamworks Animation in 1999.
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