School holiday movie guide for kids big and small... and even some parents
WHAT movies are going to keep the kids - and parents - quiet these school holidays? Our movie critic sorts the good from the bad.
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WHAT movies should you take the kids to this school holidays? Movie critic Leigh Paatsch has the right advice for parents, and kids of all ages.
Home (PG, 94 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: The voices of Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez.
What: Animated adventure-comedy. A fugitive alien joins forces with a determined young girl on a global search for her missing mother.
Well ... ?: After a promising beginning, the latest release from Dreamworks Animation (the How to Train Your Dragon series) soon gets as plain and formulaic as animation can be these days. Paced quickly enough to ensure boredom never sets in. Overall, a so-so animated adventure for the younger set, more likely to be enjoyed by primary schoolers than their elder siblings. No real need to shell out for the 3D option for this one, by the way.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : ***
5yo - 8yo : ***
9yo - 12yo : **1/2
13yo+ : **
The Divergent Series: Insurgent (M, 118 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Miles Teller, Daniel Dae Kim.
What: Action-adventure franchise sequel. Tris Prior must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear apart a fragile resistance movement still in its infancy.
Well ... ?: If the older kids in your family are into The Hunger Games, it is more than likely they dig the Divergent phenomenon too. This second instalment keeps the franchise ticking over for the two-part final commencing next year in less-than-urgent fashion. The violence is very excessive for an M-rated film pitched at a youth demographic, and the prominence of guns throughout is as worrying as it is unimaginative. Not really the best choice for those not in high school.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : *
5yo - 8yo : *1/2
9yo - 12yo : **
13yo+ : ***
Cinderella (G, 105 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Nonso Anozie.
What: Live-action fantasy. When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Enter one Fairy Godmother, followed by a dashing prince.
Well ... : Disney fleshes-out its classic cartoon rendition of Cinderella with immaculate direction from Kenneth Branagh, and an enthused and accomplished cast led by Australian Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett. Plays emphatically to all age groups without diminishing the original appeal of a well-known story. While very small children may have a few problems following what is going on, the beautifully vivid visualisation of a fairytale world will hold their attention throughout.
Which age group?:
Under 5yo : ***
5yo - 8yo : ****
9yo - 12yo : ****
13yo+ : ***1/2
Infinitely Polar Bear (M, 90 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky, Ashley Aufderheide.
What: Family comedy-drama. A well-meaning father suffering from a mild bipolar disorder tries to win back his estranged wife by proving he can look after their two young, spirited daughters.
Well ... ?: A family film with a difference from first-time director Maya Forbes, who also penned the script based on her experiences growing up in unusual circumstances in the 1970s. Youngsters with the maturity to handle semi-dramatic fare - particularly those of high-school age will be rewarded with a film of considerable depth and feeling. There are a few small pockets of blue language, but nothing that wouldn’t be out of order on prime-time TV.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : *
5yo - 8yo : *1/2
9yo - 12yo : ***
13yo+ : ***1/2
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (PG, 92 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: the voices of Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Matt Berry.
What: Animated comedy adventure. When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back.
Well ... ? : This busy, enjoyably nonsensical affair pings all over the screen in all directions, and goes quite well as mindless, message-free entertainment for little’uns. However, when compared to another new release based on a popular TV offering — we’re talking about you, Shaun the Sheep — SpongeBob runs a distant second. Feels quite like a whole lot of episodes strung together, whereas Shaun’s showcase does not. Some very funny jokes here and there, it must be said.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : **1/2
5yo - 8yo : ***
9yo - 12yo : ***
13yo+ : **
TOP PICK
Shaun the Sheep : The Movie (G, 85 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: the voices of Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djamili, Richard Webber, Kate Harbour.
What: Animated comedy adventure. Shaun and the Mossy Bottom Farm mob have to venture to the Big City to rescue The Farmer, who has left his memory after an accidental knock on the noggin.
Well ... ? : A relentless delight that immediately puts smiles on faces, and leaves them there. Young fans who have loved the not-so-talkative Shaun and company on the small screen will be relieved to learn the movie version is also dialogue-free. The ever-inventive stop-motion clay animation of Aardman Studios (Wallace & Gromit) is unassumingly brilliant. There’s always something happening in every single frame of an Aardman production, and the in-jokes and out-there flights of fancy just never let up here. The clear top pick across all age groups this holiday period, and particularly recommended for pre-schoolers.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : *****
5yo - 8yo : ****1/2
9yo - 12yo : ****
13yo+ : ****
Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (G, 76 min)
NOW SHOWING
Who: the voices of Mae Whitman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Rosario Dawson, Lucy Liu.
What: Animated fantasy. Fawn has made friends with a huge and mysterious creature known as the NeverBeast. Tinker Bell and her friends aren’t so sure about this scary-looking addition to Pixie Hollow.
Well ... ? : Disney’s long-running Tinker Bell series keeps steadily improving. Each episode is short and sweet, and a high-quality voice cast usually shows up. Just like last year’s Tinker Bell & the Pirate Fairy, a great ‘entry level’ choice for little princesses making their first trip to the cinema.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : ****
5yo - 8yo : ***1/2
9yo - 12yo : **1/2
13yo+ : *
THE BOOK OF LIFE (PG, 95 min)
OPENS MONDAY MAR 30
Who: the voices of Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum Ron Perlman.
What: Animated adventure. Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
Well ... ? : Don’t be fooled by the cutely-drawn characters on the poster. This is one of the more original and ambitious (in storytelling terms, at least) animated offerings of recent times. In fact, if some kids aren’t on their best form, they may lose track of the tale and struggle to catch up again. Visuals are absolutely beautiful at times, giving pretty Cinderella a real run for her money.
Which age group? :
Under 5yo : ***
5yo - 8yo : ***1/2
9yo - 12yo : ***1/2
13yo+ : ***
OTHER OPTIONS? (Melbourne only)
The ACMI Cinema at Federation Square is screening Disney’s glorious 1951 animated adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland twice daily throughout the school holidays. All tickets are priced at $7.
From tomorrow, ACMI’s popular Kids Flicks By Request program is also showcasing the Studio Ghibli classic Ponyo every morning at 11am until April 12th. Again, all tickets are $7.
The IMAX Cinemas at Melbourne Museum in Carlton have a strong holiday line-up on the go, spearheaded by Rocky Mountain Express, a documentary journey through the Canadian Rockies by stream train. Journey to Space 3D is sure to appeal to any budding astronauts in the family. A special IMAX presentation of Cinderella will also be screening up to three times per day throughout the holiday period.
The Cinema Nova in Carlton is still playing host to the wonderful Australian children’s picture Paper Planes, which will soon be entering its fourth month at this location.
The Nova will be celebrating this very special movie on Monday April 6th with a rare, one-off screening of Paper Planes in 3D, followed by a special question-and-answer session with director Robert Connolly and beloved veteran actor Terry Norris.
Originally published as School holiday movie guide for kids big and small... and even some parents
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