PADDINGTON

2014, StudioCanal

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 92 mins.

THE STORY:

Paddington, the talking bear, leaves Darkest Peru for London when his idyllic home and family are ripped apart in an earthquake. His family's meeting with a British explorer years before he was born left them with the ability to speak the Queen's English, the impression that the British are a kind and generous race, and a big floppy hat.

Paddington arrives at Paddington train station in need of a home, only to find that Londoners are not as welcoming and polite as he had anticipated. Much to the chagrin of her risk-analyst husband (Hugh Bonneville) and awkwardly teenage daughter, free-spirited Mrs. Brown takes pity on Paddington and invites him back to their home for the night. 

Despite some bumps along the way, one night turns into forever after Paddington and his new family manage to thwart the efforts of a mysterious evil taxidermist (Nicole Kidman) to kill and stuff Paddington for display in a natural history museum. 

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• nothing significant

VIOLENCE:

• Paddington's uncle is killed (off screen) in an earthquake
• a monkey is almost killed by a taxidermist
• the taxidermist's office is shown to be filled with stuffed and mounted animals
• the villain shoots tranquilizer darts at Paddington and others

TEACHING POINTS:

• Some risks are worth taking
• Have the courage to be open to new things

THE UPSHOT:

Truth be told, the six year-old in the theatre was there more for my benefit than her own. I grew up loving Paddington and still, after all these years, smart at the fact I never got a Paddington doll. Luckily, the film was funny, clever, exciting and absolutely charming enough to engage both of us.

The film builds on the original book to provide a context and coherence to the story which is completely new but also very respectful of the original text. The script also updates details in the original in a way that keeps the story relevant, but stays close to the old story. And the animation is phenomenal-- after about 5 minutes both the adult and the 6 year-old in the theatre completely forgot we weren't watching a real bear.

My only criticism would be the ominous scenes involving the taxidermist: nothing happens on screen, but the threat, and past examples, are very present. In the end no one, even the anti-hero, is harmed, but there are a couple of scenes along the way that could be upsetting for more sensitive viewers.

4.5/5

FISH n CHIPS, BEST ENEMIES FOREVER

2013, Fish 'n Chips Productions

Animation

Rating: none

Approx. 91 mins.

THE STORY:

Something about a fish that has a magic bone that belonged to the ancestor of a cat, which gives him the ability to live out of water. The cat is trying to get the bone back for his kind and the 2 fight, exchange the bone, get along, don't get along, fight over a catfish they both moon over... and then I have no idea what happened.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• I honestly don't know-- couldn't focus or follow closely enough

VIOLENCE:

• lots of slapstick, chasing, fighting-- no violence 

TEACHING POINTS:

• who knows

THE UPSHOT:

It's like watching a couple of kids with ADHD go crazy for 90-odd minutes. Following the over-long story took so much energy that I just stopped trying. I thought it would never ever end. Even the 6 year-old in the room was unable to summarize the story. And the voices-- an-noy-ing!

Awful script, awful voicing, awful pacing. One of the worst things I have sat through in my entire life. Miss this at any cost.  

0.5/5

GOOBY

2009, Coneybeare Stories

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 99 mins.

THE STORY:

Willy is an 11 year-old with what his teachers describe as an overactive imagination. In addition to the problems he suffers being different, his parents, who have very little time for him, have just announced that the family is moving far away. In the midst of this turmoil appears a savior: Willy's childhood bear/ monster, Gooby (Robbie Coltrane), now alive and life-sized. 

Together Gooby and Willy get into various adventures, learn about the difficulties and responsibilities that come with friendship, and manage to teach Willy's parents a lesson as well.    

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• shut up
• moron
• Oh my God

VIOLENCE:

• no violence, but some suspenseful, tense scenes

TEACHING POINTS:

• parents should spend more time with their kids and less at work

THE UPSHOT:

Has that made-for-TV feel and gave me flashbacks of the old Can-con days when being awful was insignificant if it was Canadian. The acting was fine, but the Gooby suit was very very amateur: the mouth moved randomly ad there was just no getting past the fact that it was a guy in a furry suit. Even the six-year-old in the room was unimpressed. There are also some scary and tense scenes that might startle younger viewers. 

In short, there is really no reason to spend 99 minutes on this. 

1.5/5

VALIANT

2005, Vanguard Animation

Animation

Rating: G

Approx. 75 mins.

THE STORY:

It is 1944 England, and Valiant (Ewan McGregor) is a small, young pigeon who dreams of joining the elite group of carrier pigeons participating in the war effort. He runs into a mangy, would-be con-pigeon called Bugsy (Ricky Gervais), and the two end up unexpected-- and in Bugsy's case unwilling-- comrades in Royal Homing Pigeon training camp. The two manage to overcome their own obstacles and go on to become heroes. 

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• some innuendo that will be lost on younger viewers

VIOLENCE:

• some fighting and chase scenes, but no violence

TEACHING POINTS:

• believe in yourself and you can achieve your goals

THE UPSHOT:

The setting doesn't seem ideal for a kids' movie, but it works. There is no actual combat shown and all of the characters are pigeons, which makes it all seem a lot safer. It's like an homage to the wartime movie genre with the dashing military hero, the strict but fair drill sergeant, the posh-accented stiff-upper lipped commanders.

The script is pithy, the voices well done, and Ricky Gervais hilarious. Although the central themes are hardly original, the treatment is. I knew what was going to happen all along, but I still enjoyed the journey. The 6 year-old in the room also liked the animated birds, the slightly crude humour, and the happy ending.

Best thing I've seen in a while.
  

4/5

AGENT F.O.X.

2014, Phase 4 Films

Animation

Rating: G

Approx. 83 mins.

THE STORY:

Oh, something about a fox who is a rather bad secret agent, and who gets sent to infiltrate the rabbit community of Carrot Town in order to steal their prized relic. He is mistaken for a long tailed rabbit and befriended by the trusting bunnies. And...everyone lives happily ever after. 

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• ...don't think so

VIOLENCE:

• none

TEACHING POINTS:

• forget prejudices and judge people based on their actions not preconceptions

THE UPSHOT:

So so so bad. I swear I watched it, but my brain went into self-preservation mode and just turned off. Trite, boring, badly dubbed (the original is Chinese), less than stellar animation, atrociously scripted. No redeeming features whatsoever. Avoid it like the plague. 

0.5/5

The FLINTSTONES

1994, Universal Pictures

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 91 mins.

THE STORY:

Prehistoric family patriarch Fred Flintstone (John Goodman) has things pretty good: a supportive wife (Elizabeth Perkins), a beautiful daughter, a job he is good at and a loyal best friend (Rick Moranis). When he is unexpectedly and unjustifiably promoted to a management position, things seem to all be going his way. But before long his life and relationships are all thrown out of balance due to the machinations of an evil company executive (Kyle MacLachlan).Ultimately, however, Fred wakes up, reestablishes his priorities and manages, with the help of his friends and family, to restore everything to the way it should be.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• damn
• stupid
• idiot

VIOLENCE:

• none

TEACHING POINTS:

• importance of loyalty to friends
• importance of staying true to oneself

THE UPSHOT:

The film walks the fine line between homage and parody, and manages not to trip. Those old enough to remember the TV series will appreciate the faithfulness of this live action version, and the plentiful humourous references planted for adults. The kids in the room will like the simple story and slapstick. Just as the depiction of the Flintstones' lifestyle (mammoth shower, crab-like lawn mower, etc.) will bring back memories for the adults in the room, it will amuse the non-adults in the room. 

The acting is good, the script snappy, and the special effects not bad considering the age of the film. On the con side, the bad girl receptionist with a heart of gold (Halle Berry) is highly sexualized with every scene involving her dripping with innuendo and bared flesh.   

4/5

ADVENTURES OF the PENGUIN KING

2012, Atlantic Productions

Live action

Rating: G

Approx. 76 mins.

THE STORY:

Rex (Tim Allen), a young male King Penguin, narrates his return to South Georgia Island after several years at sea learning to hunt. His first goal when he arrives back home is to find a mate, which he eventually manages. 

We watch Rex take on the many roles-- adult, mate, father--and challenges-- skuas, leopard seals, killer whales and harsh climate-- that make up the life of a penguin in its natural environment.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• None

VIOLENCE:

• some scary scenes as Rex tries to evade predators
• Rex's mother is supposedly killed-- off camera and not certain, but assumed

TEACHING POINTS:

• The life cycle, habits of penguins in the wild

THE UPSHOT:

Like Tim Allen's other narrated nature film for kids, Chimpanzee, this gives you tremendous insight into what life is like for animals in their natural habitat. The voice-over narrative makes it very watchable for (especially younger) kids, although some of the natural threats might be a bit intense for the young/ sensitive. The 6 year-old in the room was upset at the disappearance and presumed death of the central penguin's mother.

Kids might prefer to watch Happy Feet for the cutesy drama, animation and music, but they will learn a tonne more from this. It's also pretty short and sweet, so the 6 year-old in the room managed to stay engaged. A good choice as an alternative to animated princesses and the like.

4/5

The MISSING LYNX

2008, Kandor Graphics

Animation

Rating: PG

Approx. 96 mins.

THE STORY:

A group of animals, led by an irritating lynx, attempt to save themselves from poachers as well as from an eccentric but well-intentioned millionaire who tries to lock them all up for their own good.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• probably-- found it too painful to focus that closely after a few minutes

VIOLENCE:

TEACHING POINTS:

• Don't ever see this film again or anything else by the same makers
• Does raise good points about the morality of keeping animals in captivity, but the film is just so bad that you don't even want to get into it

THE UPSHOT:

I feel bad giving anything 0/5, so have given as little and as much as I can without feeling mean or like a liar. AWFUL. Awkward story that proceeds at a jagged, uneven pace, terrible voices, predictable. Not worth a second of your time.

0.5/5

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE

1989, Ghibli Studios

Animation

Rating: G

Approx. 101 mins.

THE STORY:

Kiki is 13 and witch protocol dictates that she spend a year living and training independently. With her loyal cat, Jiji, she leaves her loving family, eager to see the world and enhance her skills, but finds it hard at first to adjust to life on her own in a new town. 

Before long, she realizes that she has one very marketable skill that can make her of use to others: delivering things by broomstick. She makes friends and sets up a business. But in addition to being a diligent young witch, Kiki is a teenager. She starts to have feelings for Tombo, a boy her age who is obsessed with flying and trying to invent a machine to enable him to take to the skies. She feels inferior to the pretty, well-dressed and well-heeled local girls, and starts to doubt herself.

When Kiki feels insecure in herself she starts to lose her magical powers. Eventually, with the help of the friends she has made she finds the strength to overcome her challenges and succeed.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• nothing significant

VIOLENCE:

• none

TEACHING POINTS:

• The importance of having faith in yourself and of not comparing yourself to others

THE UPSHOT:

Aesthetically, it's classically Miyazaki Hayao and tastefully gorgeous. It's also a nice change from the look of a lot of North American (Disney in particular) animation. The story is simple for kids to follow and moves at a pretty good pace.

We watched it dubbed, and not for a second did I forget that we were watching a dubbed movie. Kristen Dunst (Kiki) was shrill and-- although I never thought I would ever write this sentence-- Phil Hartman (Jiji) was more grating than great. At the risk of sounding pompous, I have watched this in the original Japanese, and it was a very different, much better experience. There is something to the idea of voices fitting into linguistic context.

In the end, however, this was the 6 year-old in the room's first brush with anime (in the mildest sense of the term), and she was impressed enough to want to see more Ghibli. A good jumping off point for exposure to more heterogeneous kids' film experiences. 

3.5/5

ZAMBEZIA

2012, Triggerfish Studios

Animation

Rating: G

Approx. 81 mins.

THE STORY:

Kai is a young falcon eager to spread his wings and soar beyond the confines set for him by his strict single father, Tendai (Samuel L. Jackson). One day he discovers the secret of an edenic bird city called Zambezia that his father has kept from him. 

When he arrives, he is immediately exposed to new characters, challenges, knowledge and triumphs. He manages to join an elite group of birds who patrol and defend the skies around Zambezia as a trainee, but loses this privilege when he is unable to follow the rules and communicate with others. He perseveres, however and manages to save the object of his affections, his father and the entire city.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• idiot

VIOLENCE:

• nothing significant-- some malice/ threat, but no death or gore 

TEACHING POINTS:

• co-operation and team work
• importance of open communication and honesty

THE UPSHOT:

Mediocre. Not as bad some others I've seen lately, but not really worth the time it takes to watch. The music is a highlight, and the supporting character voices are particularly good, but the whole just doesn't stand up.

2.5/5

PENGUINS of MADAGASCAR

2014, DreamWorks Animation

Animation

Rating: PG

Approx. 90 mins.

THE STORY:

This film fleshes out the origins and relationships of the Madagascar penguins, a quartet of action-seeking problem solvers who use their resourcefulness and confidence to fight bad guys. This brings them into conflict with the North Wind, a secret organization which works undercover to stop evil-doers. 

The two groups end up working somewhat together in their shared goal of stopping Dr. Octavius Brine (John Malkovich), an octopus-man with an axe to grind against the penguins and a potion that turns even the cutest animal into a scary mutant. 

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• flipping

VIOLENCE:

• lots of action, no gore or death
• one surprising scene in which a seal pops out of the water threateningly and unexpectedly

TEACHING POINTS:

• there's a bit of 'open your eyes to see and accept those you love for who they truly are' and the like, but really it's just unabashed fun 

THE UPSHOT:

I think I laughed more than anyone else in the theatre. Not guffaws, but snickers and titters. I found the humour clever, punny and entirely too adult for the 6 year-old in the theatre to catch at all. Luckily there's a bit of toilet-ish humour and slapstick to suit the under 20 set.

The movie would be a bit more appealing if the penguins weren't constantly on TV in 30-minute installments-- the day before seeing this in the theatre, the 6 year-old in the room watched about 3 hours of commercial riddled penguin antics. It's not exactly as if the movie is filling some void, or as if the story couldn't have been squeezed into a couple of episodes. But I still enjoyed it. Ad the 6 year-old in the theatre enjoyed it just a little less.

4/5