Epic (3D) ★★★½

Reviewed by Alex (Aged 12)  Meet Alex

Opens in Australia: July 4, 2013  USA:  24^th May, 2013  UK: 22^nd May 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

Epic begins with the character of Bomba, a determined professor, who studies a civilization of tiny people who he has never seen. Mary Katherine (MK) is his 17 year old daughter who one day is magically transported to this microscopic world where there is a battle going on between leaf men (good) and Boggans (evil).  

Queen Tara passes on an important mission to MK which involves bringing the “chosen pod” to Nim Galuu, a wise caterpillar who can read ancient scrolls that hold the key to MK’s quest.  

MK is joined by Nod, a rebellious teen, Ronin, a courageous and selfless leader of the leafmen warriors, and Mug and Grub, a slug and snail, who are guardians of the pods. Pods are important as they are needed to keep the forest alive.

Trouble comes when Mandrake, a fierce and mean leader of the Boggans, believes the forest belongs to the darkness. He has the power to destroy anything he touches. Only the power of the “chosen pod” can stop him which is why MK and her heroic team need to protect the pod.

The quality of the animation was impressive, especially in 3D, as it made it feel like you were in their world. The battle scenes are entertaining and action packed but some parts of the film were too slow. Bomba was my least favourite character as he annoyingly slowed the pace down with his absent mindedness.  

“Ugly says what?” “what?” “nothing...(Mug and Grub arguing). ” Mug and Grub were my favourite characters as they brought laughter to the movie. I also liked the character of Queen Tara as she had awesome powers which allowed her to control nature.

Epic holds within it a couple of messages – be respectful of the environment, and never stop believing in something just because you can’t see it.

The story-line was like the usual good versus evil scenario and I found it easy to follow. Epic has action, adventure, comedy, villains and heroes. Something for everyone.

ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA ★★★★

Reviewed by Jemma (Aged 11)  Meet Jemma

Opens in Australia: 11^th April 2013
Other Countries: Release Information

Adventures in Zambezia is about a bird named Kai who lives with his father Tendai in the middle of nowhere in Africa. Gogo a friendly bird flies past trying to get away from marabous with a woven bag on her back.

The woven bag had Tini, a weaver bird and some duckling eggs. Gogo tells Kai about Zambezia and as Kai is an adventurous bird he is keen to go see the big city.

Will his father let him see the big city or will his father not let him go because of the dangers that lie ahead?   Kai flies off in the night ignoring what his father has said. Kai tries to catch up with Gogo but soon Kai finds himself flying with Paui and her flock.

Soon after they arrive at Zambezia and Kai is amazed at what he saw. Kai puts his name down for a tour the next day. Then Kai meet Mushana the receptionist who shows Kai to his room. He is awoken by his tour guide, Ezee keen to start the tour. Kai finds himself in a heap of trouble, adventure and discovers some truths about his family.  

The Adventures in Zambezia is an exciting movie everyone would love; a wonderful movie for all ages.  It’s full of adventure, thrills and lots fun characters. I would love to see it again. This movie is made by trigger fish, which have also made the movie Khumba soon to come out in 2013.

VISIT ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA WEBSITE

ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH ★★★★

Reviewed by Sophia (Aged 10)  Meet Sophia

Australia: 28th March 2013; USA 15th February, 2013 

Other Countries:  Release Information

          Gary is an alien and so is everyone on planet Baab. Gary works in mission control which of course means he controls the missions that his brother Scorch goes on. When a new mission comes up Scorch is the one to do it and this time he has to go to the Dark planet, also known as Earth.

          No Alien has ever come back from the Dark planet (Earth) but Scorch is determined to go there. He gets himself into a bit of trouble with the victims (humans) and the next thing he finds himself in is a cell. Gary goes after him using the rescue pod but there is a slight complication and he finds himself with the humans and  then he is put in a cell near Scorch.

          Shanker the evil human has his own plans to take over the universe using the aliens and a Love website. And much adventure follows.

        This was an exciting movie and kept me entertained. I really recommend this movie to all.

THE CROODS ★★★★★

AGE OLD FAMILY FUN 

Australia: 28th March 2013; USA 22nd March UK 22nd March 

Other Countries:  Release Information 

Reviewed by Rhiannan Harris (Age 11) Meet Rhiannan

Imagine a world thousands of years ago when cavemen lived.

Over time, the Croods, find themselves the only surviving caveman family in their neighbourhood. Grug (Nicolas Cage), the father, wants his family to be kept safe, but that’s not always easy, especially when your world comes to a crashing end.

Mother Ugga (Catherine Keener) tries to keep the peace between her children Eep (Emma Stone), Thunk (Clark Duke)  and baby Sandy (Randy Thom), especially when she has her hands full keeping Grug and her mother, Gran (Cloris Leachman), from fighting.

Rebellious Eep finds it hard to obey her father, even when it might save her life. One night Eep breaks all her father’s rules about not going out at night and ventures off. She meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds) and his pet Belt (Chris Sanders), a boy who is the only surviving member of his family. Grug realises that Eep is missing and goes to find her and returns her home.

The next day, their word comes to a crashing end and the Croods discover there is another world out there, where Grug’s rules don’t always work. Together, with Guy as their guide, they make their way to “Tomorrow”, making new rules and reinventing old ones.

“The Croods” is a really funny movie and people of all ages would enjoy it. The animation is clever and suits the film, keeping it bright and colourful with not a dull moment. Children of all ages will enjoy the story and will want to see it again and again and again. It’s also a film that will appeal to adults, so make sure you don’t miss out.  Take your kids to see it because you’ll have a good laugh!

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER ★★★★★

Reviewed By Jack Cutbush [the Giant Slayer] (Age 11) Meet Jack

Australia: 21st March 2013; USA 1st March UK 22nd March
Other Countries:  Release Information 

       Jack the Giant Slayer is a wonderful movie based on the children’s fairy tale ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.  It is a fantasy adventure film packed full of action, comedy and a little romance (yuk).

The movie is about a farm-hand named Jack (Nicholas Hoult) and Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) who as children both love hearing the same legend of how King Erik and his magic crown defeated the giants who lived above the clouds. 

When they grow up, they both meet at a street theatre where Jack defends the Princess from some bad people before he knew she was a princess. One night, the princess sneaks out from the castle, away from her Father King Brahmwell  (Ian McShane) and Roderick (Stanley Tucci) the man who she has been told she must marry.  She is looking to find adventure and thanks to a thunderstorm ends up at Jacks farmhouse. 

Jack’s adventure starts when some beans he is given by a monk, who has stolen them from the castle, become wet.  Instantly, a huge vine grows rapidly into the sky, taking his house and the princess with it.  He then has to climb the vine to rescue her from some ugly, nose picking giants. He is aided in his quest by Elmont (Ewan McGregor), one of the King’s guards.  But they must also face a traitor amongst the King’s court, who wants the magic beans for himself.

      The great special effects and 3D bring the giants and their world to life and it’s very exciting especially when Jack and the princess are being chased by the giants.

The age group I would recommend for this movie would be about 8 and above as I believe it would probably not be suitable for any younger as people get stomped on and eaten and it may give little kids nightmares.

To wrap up it was a fantastic movie with a lot of action and excitement.  I would give it 8 and a half out of ten.  Go see it for yourself.
           If you want to see this movie or have seen it, please tell me what you think...