Ultimate guide to school holiday movies
Don’t waste your time and money on a dud school holiday movie. With super heroes, animation and a reboot of an old Disney favourite on offer, let us help you pick the right movie for your kids these holidays.
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Don’t waste your time and money on a dud school holiday movie.
With super heroes, animation and a reboot of an old Disney favourite on offer — let us help you pick the right movie for your kids.
BOREDOM NOT AN OPTION WITH SHAZAM
CAN DUMBO PLEASE DISNEY PURISTS?
Shazam! (M, 132 min) ***
TOP PICK — HIGH SCHOOLERS ***
Who?: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel
What?: Superhero action comedy. By shouting out one word — SHAZAM! — streetwise fourteen-year-old foster kid Billy Batson can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.
Well … ?: There’s a very satisfying wow factor to Shazam! that guarantees it will be sitting at the top of the must-see list for most youngsters these holidays. Anyone aged above mid-primary school level is in for a high old time with this clever and very entertaining superhero spin on the Tom Hanks chestnut Big. Stands up well to repeat viewings too.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : *
5yo — 8yo : **1/2
9yo — 12yo : ****
13yo+ : ****1/2
Wonder Park (PG, 85 min)
Who?: Brianna Denski, Jennifer Garner, John Oliver
What?: Animated fantasy. The secret story of June, an optimistic, imaginative girl who discovers an incredible amusement park called Wonderland hidden in the woods.
Well … ?: This underwhelming cartoon could have been done so much better. However, with no other valid options available for pre-schoolers this holidays, it is a serviceable pick for toddlers who just want some bright colours, broad jokes and happy-go-lucky high jinks.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : ***
5yo — 8yo : **1/2
9yo — 12yo : **
13yo+ : *1/2
Missing Link (PG, 95 min)
OPENS MON APR 8
Who?: Zoe Saldana, Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis
What?: Animated adventure. Tired of living a solitary life in the forest, a giant creature recruits a fearless explorer to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La.
Well … ?: This spectacular stop-motion adventure is the work of Laika Animation, a boutique studio whose track record (ParaNorman, Coraline) suggests they just don’t know how to do a dud. The trend continues with truly innovative visual designs ranking as the best animation seen since Isle of Dogs. Hugh Jackman and the whole of the voice cast bring it in fine style as well. An emphatic yes for this one.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : ***1/2
5yo — 8yo : ***1/2
9yo — 12yo : **1/2
13yo+ : **
Back of the Net (G, 76 min)
OPENS THURS APR 11
Who?: Sofia Wylie, Christopher Kirby, Melissa Bonne
What?: Teen sports adventure. An ambitious American science student accidentally finds herself enrolled at an Australian youth soccer academy preparing for an intense national tournament.
Well … ?: While it is always nice to see an Australian-made kids film get a run in cinemas, it is disappointing to see one as flat, forced and lifeless as this. Remember last year’s local teen sports dud Going for Gold? This isn’t much better. Slavishly panders to an American audience that won’t be giving it the time of day. Only young ladies familiar with US Disney TV star Sofia Wylie may find something salvageable here.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : *
5yo — 8yo : **
9yo — 12yo : **1/2
13yo+ : **
Dumbo (PG, 105 min)
*** TOP PICK — PRIMARY SCHOOLERS ***
Who?: Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Michael Keaton
What?: Adventure fantasy. A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
Well … ?: Over coming years, Disney will be releasing a series of live-action movies based drawn from their classic animation library (coming soon: Aladdin, Mulan and The Lion King). This visually dazzling and quietly thoughtful expansion of the Dumbo fable is a simple, pure delight that will strike a chord with young and old alike. A few dark-ish scenes are too much for pre-schoolers.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : **
5yo — 8yo : ****
9yo — 12yo : ****
13yo+ : ***
The Lego Movie 2 (PG, 107 min)
Who?: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett.
What?: Animated comedy adventure. It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: Lego Duplo invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
Well … ?: There is now a lot of Lego screen content out there, and not all of it is up to standard. So if you sense your kids have come down with a case of Lego fatigue, no need to be here. Nevertheless, this is a welcome return to form for the franchise, telling a story about hanging in there for your friends that is well worth hearing.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : **1/2
5yo — 8yo : ***1/2
9yo — 12yo : ***1/2
13yo+ : ***
Little (CTC, 109 min)
OPENS THURS APR 11
Who?: Regina Hall, Marsai Martin, Issa Rae
What?: Comedy fantasy. A woman is transformed into her younger self at a point in her life when the pressures of adulthood become too much to bear.
Well … ?: This movie remains unscreened to media at the time of writing. However, it is worth pointing out that — if the trailer and advance clips are any indication — it may be a bit too “adult” in nature for younger viewers. Age ratings quoted below reflect this observation.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : ***
5yo — 8yo : **1/2
9yo — 12yo : **
13yo+ : *1/2
Captain Marvel (M, 124 min)
Who?: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn
What?: Superhero action adventure. Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.
Well … ?: Older primary schoolers and above are always well catered for by the Marvel superhero stable. This high-quality offering breaks the stranglehold the Marvel males have held on top billing for way too long. A bit of substance to the story, too. Together with Shazam!, a sure thing for teens who wouldn’t be caught dead at anything resembling a “kids movie”.
Which age group?
Under 5yo : *
5yo — 8yo : **1/2
9yo — 12yo : ****
13yo+ : ****
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