rannynm

I love the movie Ne Zha 2, because of the humorous touches, incredible animation, and the several meaningful themes, such as family and good versus evil. It is extremely complex, and the characters all have their own stories.

The story follows Ne Zha (Crystal Lee), a three-year-old demon boy, a child of two generals, who was reduced to a soul, but gets his body back. His best friend and previous mortal enemy, Ao Bing (Aleks Le) pushes himself too hard in a battle, and the two souls must share Ne Zha's body. To get a body for Ao Bing, Ne Zha must pass a series of trials, but Taiyi Zhenren (Rick Zieff) has other ideas. He passes the trials, but his village gets attacked, and in the end, there's a massive battle of betrayal and heartache for which Ne Zha assumes his teenage form (Griffin Puatu).

The animation is incredible! This is visual storytelling at its best. This is a heartfelt movie with heartbreaking, yet sweet moments. One thing that really impressed me is how intense this film is; it fully immersed me in the story, as if I was a part of it. The message is inspiring and hopeful, which really gives the movie a meaningful touch. Ne Zha is portrayed as a demon child grappling with feelings of being replaced; Crystal Lee and Griffin Puatu provide the voice of Ne Zha, for his child and teenage form, very well. Michelle Yeoh and Vincent Rodriguez III portray the emotional depth of their characters so well with their voices. Ao Bing, one of the characters with the most internal conflict, is voiced by Aleks Le, whose voice perfectly matches the character. My favorite scene is when Ao Bing and Ne Zha break free of Master Wuliang's (Robert Clotworthy) trap.

The film's message is to be yourself. It reminds us of how we are perfect just the way we are. Be forewarned that it has several violent scenes, many deaths, and mild language, making it slightly unsuitable for younger children.

Ne Zha 2 gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 and up. It releases in theaters on August 22, 2025. By Elsy B., KIDS FIRST!

The storyline follows Amber (Bianca Belle) and Jack Wyatt (Kue Lawrence), who are navigating life after the loss of their mother. Amber has a unique way of expressing her grief -- she draws. Every negative thought that enters her mind is transformed into an evil creature, tucked away in the safety of her sketchbook -- or so she thinks. Colorful chaos ensues when she accidentally drops her book into a magical pond, unaware of its power to lift her creations out of their pages and into reality.

I commend the cast members for their terrific performances. Bianca Belle stuns as Amber, displaying strong emotions ranging from pent-up anguish and explosions of anger, to a subdued longing and eventually, to acceptance. Amber is a multifaceted character -- she expresses her emotions through her drawings, but early in the film, she tries to hide her vulnerability, often resulting in outbursts that she can't control. The expressive disposition, maintained throughout the movie, clearly shows how Belle has internalized Amber's internal turmoil. We also witness Amber coming to terms with her turmoil as she watches her monsters soar through the sky - a moment that beautifully showcases the depth of Belle's exceptional talent. Tony Hale, D'Arcy Carden and Calon Cox balance out Amber's intensity and provide comic relief through their performances with both physical and verbal humor. They bring a suitable amount of levity to the film. I appreciate how the writers have sprinkled jokes throughout the film, while maintaining respect for its themes. Additionally, I like how director Seth Worley chooses to explore sensitive themes through the lens of magic and imagination. The use of monsters as metaphors for emotions surrounding grief makes it an easier concept to understand and to discuss. Having a visual of Jack and Amber "defeating" their emotions can help children dealing with a loss understand and process their own. I found reassurance that, like monsters, the pain of grief is complex but not everlasting; the way it presents itself changes with time, and it is possible to make peace with even the hardest realities.

The film's message is a reminder that, while grieving is a universal experience, everyone processes it differently; healing is a unique journey.

I give Sketch 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. The Movie releases to theatres on August 6, 2025.

By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST.

Freakier Friday is one of the funniest and most heartwarming movies that I have seen in a long time. The movie shows just how much stepping into another person's shoes can change one's perspective.

Freakier Friday is a new and funny spin off of the classic movie Freaky Friday. The movie follows Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) and her teenage daughter, Harper (Julia Butters) as they navigate their busy lives. After an interesting event, they are left with swapped bodies and an entire new world to explore. As they are trying to find a way to switch back, the two are also discovering the hardships of each other's lives. With jobs, relationships, and social status, Anna and Harper are in for the ride.

One actress that made a lasting impression on me is Julia Butters - she plays the spirited Harper Coleman. Butters brings a bright energy to the screen using her voice, posture, and subtle facial expressions to create a lively Harper. She is able to balance quick wit with vulnerability, often revealing her character's deepest thoughts in a single glance. Butters aptly captures the awkwardness, curiosity, and emotional shifts of a teenage girl perfectly. Her performance drew me into the movie, seeing myself in Harper's journey. Lindsay Lohan also captured my attention, as she reclaims the spotlight as Anna Coleman in this sequel. Lohan brings a new sense of growth to Anna, mixing her charismatic charm with a new maturity that reflects her journeys over the years. Lindsay uses her vocal and facial expressions, as well as body movements, to convey the complexities of life and love, while holding onto her playful and free spirit. Lohan's reactions are as impactful as her lines, revealing layers of Anna that were not visible before. She creates a character who feels both nostalgic and new, forming a mix of the past and present.

The film's message is that one should never judge someone else until they have walked in their shoes and experienced what they have gone through. The movie is very successful in allowing a character to take a step back and see how other people have problems too.

I give Freakier Friday 5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Freakier Friday releases in theatres on August 8, 2025.

By Juliana S., KIDS FIRST!