animation – Page 4

“The Giant King”

Directed by Prapas Cholsaranont, The Giant King is a pretty simple and easy story for kids to follow. RAM is the creator of all robots and thus controls them. Pinky, voiced by Bella Thorne, is sent by RAM to terminate the giant robot Zork, voiced by Russell Peters, given that he is broken. Zork doesn’t want to fight, so when Pinky seizes Zork, a huge explosion occurs and buries them both for many years, until a junk robot, voiced by Nathan Barnatt, unearths them.

A robot battle happens, and a thousand years later, the two sworn enemies, Zork and Pinky, wake up chained together with no recollection of who they are or how they wound up together. They decide to search for answers and begin wandering the barren wasteland. They are in search of RAM, the creator of all robots, making new friends and a few enemies along the way. But when their memories are restored, and they discover they are true enemies and your RAM really is, their newfound friendship is tested by the deep-rooted battle of long ago. RAM shows up and decides to destroy them both, but their wacky friends decide to help them stop RAM.

The Giant King is a truly wonderful animated movie, with its charm and silly characters. The robots teach worthwhile lessons about helping your friends, never forsaking your dreams, never backing down to peer pressure, and never buckling under adversity.

The movie originated from Thailand, where it received seven nominations, and was translated for American distribution with English voice casting. It is a wholesome, family movie.

“My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls: Friendship Games”

My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls: Friendship Games is a full-length adventure movie. The ponies come to life and share the magic of friendship with silly humor that kids can enjoy. There is a storyline, too, adding a little drama when the girls magically gain pony-like ears, tails, and wings.

Directed by Jayson Thiessen and Ishi Rudell, the story begins with Twilight Sparkle because she can only go from the human world to the pony world. It has been quite some time since she was in contact with any of her human friends. When she comes in contact, it isn’t the Twilight they know. Simultaneously, all six human friends are getting better control of their hidden magic powers. This is good because they must learn to control their powers for the Friendship Games at Canterlot High School—an athletic and academic competition between rival schools.

What is fun about this movie is that it reinforces the idea of developing a positive reputation for My Little Pony Friendship. The storyline keeps the characters in exciting circumstances, with twists and turns, while conveying essential messages, such as that when help arrives, it is best to accept it.

The animation looks very doable in 2-D. Sen and Rudell took a creative turn, including 3-D camera shots. The voice talent for the characters works well. Tara Strong is the voice of Twilight Sparkle, who really sparkles, while one can pity her flaws and intolerable behavior.

An impressive scene that comes to mind is where they are on a dirt bike course, and the two main characters compete with the enemy high school. It includes Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. The race starts well, but Twilight Sparkle inadvertently casts a strange magic spell, and the entire race goes whacky.

Following the TV show will help you understand the characters, but it is not truly necessary. The first movie, My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls, is quite popular, and you should watch that one first to help you understand the overall story.

“Zarafa”

People told me about this film when it was shown at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, and they were blown away. They described the movie as one of the most beautiful animated cinema experiences in storytelling. Zarafa captures suffering at the hands of slave traders. Human beings are treated as property to the edge of monstrous fixation.

Sincerely, I enjoyed this movie and hope everyone sees it as a work of art.

Directed by Rémi Bezançon and Jean-Christophe Lie, Zarafa is a charming animated adventure story with French and English subtitles. We meet an orphaned African boy who sets out on a journey to find his place in the world. His other purpose for the journey is to protect a young giraffe that he considers himself responsible for.

The movie is packed with cute and hilarious moments with offbeat and curious characters, while the boy visits many exotic global locations. It is also exciting, with narrow escapes, rescues, and the threat of capture. The movie’s tear-jerking moments might be tough for some kids to watch. The moments include the deaths of beloved characters that the audience has grown to love.

The movie has its highs and lows and several scary, suspenseful scenes. For example, the two children find themselves in danger with a ferocious dog and an evil villain. The villain is a slave trader who pursues them relentlessly. He even holds a dear little girl in chains while he attacks the boy with the intent to shoot and kill. Another tragedy is when parents of a young child are captured, and their village is burned to the ground.

The movie is fine for older kids, who understand the difference between imaginary and real violence and can put up with the English subtitles.

“Scholastic Storybook Treasures: The Classic Collection”

20 Holiday Adventures – Scholastic Storybook Treasures is the fourth release under the Scholastic Classics label, with loads of content to entertain kids while they learn family values such as right and wrong, truthfulness, and doing unto others. As the title says, the DVD contains 20 holiday stories. My favorites are The Night Before Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, Max’s Christmas (from Max and Ruby, currently airing on Nick Jr.), and Noah’s Ark.

Classic storybooks come to life and draw kids’ attention, making a wonderful way to introduce kids to reading. Other stories on the disc include Merry Christmas, Splat, Morris’s Disappearing Bag, Merry Christmas, Space Case, Bear Snores On, Too Many Tamales, Lemonade in Winter, The Snowy Day, Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas, In the Month of Kislev, Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, Great Joy!, Antarctic Antics, Giving Thanks, Bear Has a Story to Tell, The Clown of God, and Brave Irene.

The next Scholastic Collection is narrated by Oscar winners Kathy Bates and Paul Giamatti, and B.D. Wong from Law & Order. 20 Fairy Tales – Scholastic Storybook Treasures features twenty classic tales on a single DVD. My favorites are Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Hansel and Gretel, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

The classic fairy tales are so much fun for the kids to watch while learning family values and the importance of reading. You can even place your storybook in the room with them while they watch the classic stories on the screen. The rest of the classic titles on the DVD are Doctor De Soto, Each Peach Pear Plum, Extra Yarn, Harold’s Fairy Tale, Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China, Princess Furball, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Little Match Girl, The Red Shoes, The Three Little Pigs, The True Story of The Three Little Pigs!, The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

“Chuggington: The Big Freeze”

The weather is still not cold enough, but freezing high-speed adventure is on the way. My preschoolers were treated to the newest Chuggington DVD called Chuggington: The Big Freeze.

The latest popular DVD collection from the United Kingdom is entertaining with six episodes. There are adventures for preschoolers while teaching lessons about right and wrong and sharing. It is no wonder this is a highly rated show distributed by Disney.

One episode is a holiday special called The Big Freeze. The chuggers perform one heroic rescue after another. The kids learn from these shows by watching the characters solve the situations presented to them. Like, when icy temperatures cause the town to run out of fuel and all diesel engines are grounded. They solve the problem as Chief Jackman and his team of brave Chug Patrollers work together to find a way to the frozen docks to retrieve fuel and get the town of Chuggington moving once again. It also teaches preschoolers important lessons about safety, responsibility and teamwork as they watch Wilson, Koko, Brewster, and Asher.

Another episode features Fletch trying to repair the lighthouse, and Calley testing to become a first responder. Another is where the kids get to watch Brewster get closer to being a Chuggineer. The lessons taught in these shows are so helpful. The series has great characters for kids to watch and get to know.

“Peppa Pig School Bus Trip”

Peppa Pig is a clever children’s show. The British accents add to its hilarity, and then there is the character’s knack for falling over and laughing at the end of each episode. It can’t go unnoticed by all. My kids love seeing them jump in muddy puddles or feed the insatiable ducks. It is so funny.

Still, the show is realistic, showing family life as animals. Each different animal depicts the diversity of people in real life. This concept comes through to the kids. We all need to get along with each other, no matter how different we are as animals. Peppa Pig School Bus Trip includes ten episodes to keep the kids busy.

Anyone who knows the show appreciates the fact that it shows kids getting ready for school. Nothing like a little encouragement with that topic, is what I always say. Anyone who is a fan of the show or who has never seen Peppa will enjoy this DVD in their collection. The set includes a Mini Book, too.

“The Seventh Dwarf”

After appearing in select NY and LA theaters, The Seventh Dwarf is available on Blu-ray and DVD. The animated movie is an adventure story that unites all your favorite fairytale characters in one kingdom and stars the voices of Peyton List, Norm MacDonald, Nina Hagen and Joshua Graham. There are great messages for kids to learn, like friendship, problem solving, accepting differences and working as a team. The humorous scenes are really fun to watch, as well as the action and suspense scenes.

The story begins with the characters celebrating Princess Rose’s (Sleeping Beauty) 18th birthday. Everyone in the kingdom has come to Fantabularasa Castle, including Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. But just before the stroke of midnight, Bobo, the youngest dwarf, accidentally pricks the finger on the cursed needle and sends the kingdom into a century-long slumber. Bobo decides to take the matter into his own hands by finding Rose’s true love, Jack. Jack must save her with a kiss, Bobo and the other six dwarfs go on a treacherous journey. They face a fiery dragon and outwit the jealous, scheming and evil witch, Dellamorta.

The puns may go over the kids’ heads, but they are there for the adults to enjoy. The animation is well done, even though this is not a big movie; it’s fun entertainment.

I am sure kids will want to rewatch the movie because it has some cute scenes and silly songs. The story features a mash-up of fairy tales with a few obvious changes that add a bunch of fun. The writers are quite imaginative with the changes they add to the stories, creating a bit of spark in the old fairy tales.

“Power Rangers: The Perfect Storm”

Power Rangers DVDs are so popular with the kids and some adults. Each collection is worth owning, and recently released The Perfect Storm is no exception. The five episodes are pure entertainment and never fail to satisfy the ardent fan.

One episode follows Orion, who unlocks every sixth ranger power while his helmet morphs, revealing each one of the Power Rangers’ helmet designs with his costume. As a result, the rangers lose their energy because it is taken from them when Orion morphs. How will they get their power back? It is such a fun story to watch.

Another episode with a quirky twist features one of the monsters becoming smitten with a ranger. A love triangle forms when another monster tries to destroy the ranger to have the female monster all to himself.

The next episode is about two of the rangers who switch bodies. It’s hilarious when they adjust, learn how to be the other Power Ranger, and notice the disparity in their personalities. They even try to discover what triggers the change.

In another episode, Tensou ventures outside the command center to witness the arrival of a fierce storm. It approaches quickly, and Tensou is hit by lightning. He loses his memory and is lost. The other rangers search for him. Once they find him, they do everything in their power to help him recover his memory.

I can see how the kids will go crazy over these storylines. Overall, and of course, The Perfect Storm will please any Power Ranger fan.