Saige Paints the Sky

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Saige Copeland is 9 years old and loves to paint. Her father (Kerr Smith) is flying a balloon at the local festival. Her best friend Tessa has a new friend Dylan from music camp. Tessa seems to have more in common with Dylan now. New kid Gabi Peña tries to befriend Saige. Budget cuts have forced art class to alternate with music class and this year, the art class is cut. Her grandma Mimi (Jane Seymour) suggests a protest against the cut. Sidney Fullmer is a charming lead without too much overacting. Saige is no saint as she struggles to find her way. Her difficulties with her best friend are well done. It is a little light weight but it's a good movie for young girls.

This latest American Girl outing remains true to the spirit of American Girl, and sticks to the same atmosphere of their recent "Girl of the Year" movies, in another example of quality children's entertainment that is seldom seen on the market these days. There is a sweet, gentle, and ultimately uplifting quality to all the American Girl movies, and Saige is no exception.

The simple story of nine-year-old Saige and her efforts to save the art program at her school is carried out quite nicely, with several tender moments and a beautifully colorful production design. As it is with the other American Girl movies, what starts out as a sweet, simple story actually develops into a heartwarming tale that is sure to empower its youthful audience (and maybe some grown-ups, as well).

American Girl deserves all the praise it can get for creating empowering, uplifting entertainment that has far more depth and craft and substance than most of the standard children's fare. Saige Paints the Sky is an example of wholesome, innocent storytelling that does more than just keep the kids occupied for an hour and a half. As with all the American Girl movies, it gives girls (or anyone) something to think about and aspire to long after the movie is over.

I have always enjoyed the American Girl movies and the values they teach, but this one has been by far the one I have enjoyed the most. It has an easy to follow plot for children and scenes that will keep them interested in the movie while showing them skills they will need to cope with life's issues.

One thing that caught my attention was that Saige's grandmother's home there was a fireplace with a fire, but the movie takes place in a warm climate, so I found it a little strange that a fireplace was lit.

Jane Seymour's acting was excellent, as always and she really gave the character a warmth that was vital to touching scenes like when she meets Saige at the Fiesta.

All in all, I simply loved this movie and I have to say that this is one of my favorite American Girl movies.

Girls are and act much older than 4th grade girls. The makeup and clothing is over the top and not typical of a 9 year old girl. Sadly, this one will be our first and last American Girl movie.

Some of the American Girl movies made in the past were way better than this one!

What bothered me the most is that they use 11, 12, and 13 yr old actresses and say in the movie that they are NINE ! Really ??!! That is embarrassing and ridiculous !! Even my 9 yr old noticed that these girls are NOT 9 ! Not to mention that the characters in these newer AG movies are portrayed as super-ultra talented kids that are good at everything! The make-up even make them look more mature that they are in real life !

How sad...