10 movies your kids will love in the Easter school holidays
Choosing the right movie to entertain the kids remains a valuable weapon in every parent’s arsenal at Easter. Leigh Paatsch reviewed the best of this season’s batch. See the full list.
Movies
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The school holidays are here again, and choosing the right movie remains a valuable weapon in the entertainment arsenal of many a time-poor parent.
But how to best sort the many titles on offer during this busy period, particularly when you must cater to the tastes and whims of multiple age groups?
Don’t panic. This guide will break down for you which movies best fit the bill for every discerning young viewer in your entourage.
FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE
In cinemas now, 142 minutes
Who? Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, Mads Mikkelsen
What? Fantasy adventure. Unable to stop the war-mongering wizard Grindelwald alone, Dumbledore asks Newt Scamander to lead a team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle on a dangerous mission.
Well …? There has never been a lot of love about for the next lot of movies after Harry Potter to carry the once-celebrated name of author J.K. Rowling. These Potter prequels released under the Fantastic Beasts banner are drab, densely cluttered affairs that ask too much of very young viewers (who’d much rather be hanging out at Hogwarts). Epic running time and sluggish pacing means this is really only for Potter-philes who want to collect the set.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: *
5yo – 8yo: *1/2
9yo – 12yo: **1/2
Over 13yo: **1/2
LITTLE VAMPIRE
Now streaming on Binge, Foxtel, 82 minutes
Who? Voices of Louise Lacoste, Alex Lutz
What? Animated fantasy. A friendship forms between a never-ageing 10-year-old vampire and an orphan schoolboy, but a moon headed monster throws obstacles in their paths.
Well …? An endearing affair which definitely works for kids who can handle a semi-spooky story once in a while. The title character has been 10 years old for three centuries, and to be frank, is fed up with the whole immortality thing. The charming illustration style here is a sight for sore eyes, and completely different to everything else out there. Nice stuff.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: **
5yo – 8yo: ***
9yo – 12yo: ***1/2
Over 13yo: ***
THE BAD GUYS
In cinemas now, 101 minutes
Who? Voices of Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina
What? Animated comedy-adventure. Several reformed yet misunderstood criminal animals attempt to become good, with some disastrous results along the way.
Well …? A fair first animated adaptation drawn from the best-selling series of graphic novels by Australian author Aaron Blabey. There is arguably too much plot stuffed into too tight a space here, which may make the heist-driven events a touch hard to follow. Luckily, the animation is strong enough to keep younger viewers riveted by the amusing antics of the featured characters (the big bad wolf is one cool dude!).
Which age group?
Under 5yo: **1/2
5yo – 8yo: ***1/2
9yo – 12yo: ***
Over 13yo: **
APOLLO 10-1/2: A SPACE AGE CHILDHOOD
Now streaming on Netflix, 95 minutes
Who? Voices of Jack Black, Milo Coy, Zachary Levi
What? Historical adventure. A coming-of-age story set in the suburbs of Houston, Texas in the summer of 1969, centred around the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.
Well …? This is such a beautiful movie, with a look, feel and sophistication of storytelling that will connect strongly with high-schoolers. Older primary-schoolers who love all things to do with space and rockets will also fall under the spell of this beguiling piece of NASA nostalgia. From the makers of the Oscar-winning Boyhood.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: *
5yo – 8yo: **1/2
9yo – 12yo: ***
Over 13yo: ****
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2
In cinemas now, 122 minutes
Who? Jim Carrey, voice of Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba
What? Action adventure. When the manic Dr Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails are all that stands in the villainous duo’s way.
Well …? The first Sonic movie was much better than it had to be, and found itself a huge audience during the first phase of the global pandemic. Unfortunately, this slapdash, so-so sequel merely doubles down on the formula, and forgets to bring much fresh produce to the table. How the running time was allowed to bloat past two hours is unforgivable. A few good stand-alone sequences are in there, but not enough to save the day.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: *1/2
5yo – 8yo: **1/2
9yo – 12yo: **
Over 13yo: *1/2
TURNING RED
Now streaming on Disney+, 95 minutes
Who? Voices of Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh
What? Animated comedy. A confident, yet dorky young woman is appalled to discover she has become the victim of a secret family curse: at the most inopportune times, she will turn into a giant red panda.
Well? That synopsis might read as strikingly bland stuff, but it does not do justice to capturing the imagination, flair and effortlessly entertaining work on display here. All you really need to know is that this very funny and deceptively touching affair is the best thing to roll off the Pixar Animation assembly line since Toy Story 4. A clever bunch of songs from Billie Eilish are a welcome bonus.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: ***
5yo – 8yo: ***1/2
9yo – 12yo: ****
Over 13yo: ****
RABBIT ACADEMY
In cinemas now, 70 minutes
Who? Voices of Senta Berger, Noah Levi
What? Animated adventure. Chaos strikes the famous Bunny Academy after the selection of city rabbit Max as the new champion bunny. As a result the Academy’s prized Golden Egg turns black.
Well …? A short, undemanding and unflaggingly cheery cartoon that will down a treat with very young viewers not really up to following a complicated story for long. A simple, unambitious production it might well be, but it doesn’t generate a single nasty or not-quite-right moment. A safe entry-level choice for littlies making one of their first visits to the cinema.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: ***1/2
5yo – 8yo: ***
9yo – 12yo: *1/2
Over 13yo: *
THE LOST CITY
Previews today; in cinemas from Thursday, 110 minutes
Who? Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt
What? Adventure comedy. A reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model gets swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure.
Well …? A breezy, fun throwback to the glory days of rollicking adventure pics like Romancing the Stone. Subtract the romance angle – which doesn’t really chew up too much screen time – and this fast-paced burst of escapism shapes as a solid left-field choice for high-schooler wanting a laugh, a thrill and not much else.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: *
5yo – 8yo: *1/2
9yo – 12yo: **1/2
Over 13yo: ***1/2
BETTER NATE THAN EVER
Now streaming on Disney+, 90 minutes
Who? Rueby Wood, Aria Brooks, Joshua Bassett
What? Musical comedy. 13-year-old Nate Foster fantasises about becoming a big Broadway star. He and his best friend Litty mastermind a daring trip to New York City to audition for “Lilo and Stitch: The Musical”.
Well …? What this perpetually perky package of showbizzy whimsy lacks in substance, it more than makes up for with infectiously exuberant energy. Younger viewers who have powered through the likes of Glee and High School Musical and need a fresh buzz of razzle-dazzle will find everything they need right here. Versatile lead performer Rueby Wood is tipped for bigger things, and it’s not hard to see why.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: **
5yo – 8yo: **1/2
9yo – 12yo: ***1/2
Over 13yo: ***1/2
PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE
Now available to rent; streaming on Paramount+ from Tuesday, 81 minutes
Who? Voices of Will Brisbin, Kingsley Marshall, Marsai Martin
What? Animated adventure. Ryder and the pups are called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.
Well …? With the exception of this and Rabbit Academy, there are no recent movie releases that truly ping with preschoolers. Unusually, the extended running time beyond that of the P-Patrol’s usual screen ventures turns out to be a good thing. The manner in which the pups are shown solving problems and working together is consistently to the fore throughout, and the movie as a whole keeps holds steady and sweet throughout.
Which age group?
Under 5yo: ****
5yo – 8yo: ***
9yo – 12yo: *
Over 13yo: *
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