Fresh 4.5/5
| Fresh 93%
| Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) | "
The most fantastic thing about Mr. Fox is the way he shows that while our flaws can bring us down, sometimes, too, we triumph in spite of them and because of them." Posted Nov 25, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Rotten 23%
| Planet 51 (2009) | "
Definitely a planet worth a visit." Posted Nov 20, 2009 |
Rotten 4.5/5
| Rotten 48%
| Astro Boy (2009) | "
Parents, don't nap while the kids watch." Posted Oct 23, 2009 |
Fresh 4.5/5
| Fresh 73%
| Where the Wild Things Are (2009) | "
Director Spike Jonze gets that Max's subsequent journey to the far-off island of the wild things is nothing less than an odyssey into his mind." Posted Oct 16, 2009 |
Fresh 4/5
| Fresh 85%
| Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) | "
But it's fun, it has some good messages and what kid won't enjoy seeing pancakes flatten a roof and an ice-cream blizzard that you can eat while you play in it? Especially when it's presented in colorful 3-D splendor?" Posted Sep 18, 2009 |
Rotten 2.5/5
| Rotten 24%
| G-Force (2009) | "
The single most terrifying moment is hearing the world will be destroyed in 30 minutes. Therein lies the possibility that the film will drag on for another half hour." Posted Jul 24, 2009 |
Fresh 4.5/5
| Fresh 83%
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) | "
Readers may decry the way the script deletes some scenes and adds others. But this film offers its own unique contribution to J.K. Rowling's beloved series." Posted Jul 14, 2009 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 44%
| Hannah Montana The Movie (2009) | "
This probably won't sway the unconverted into becoming fans, but it should please the more than 180 million viewers of the hit Disney Channel series." Posted Apr 9, 2009 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 39%
| Inkheart (2009) | "
Much of this comes across as a labor of love, with a classy cast frolicking in Iain Softley's whimsical direction of a lushly imagined adaptation by David Lindsay-Abaire." Posted Jan 23, 2009 |
Rotten C+
| Rotten 50%
| Twilight (2008) | "
Catherine Hardwicke's choppy direction plays all this much too seriously. The film lacks the clarity and cleverness that might have ameliorated the campier moments." Posted Nov 21, 2008 |
Rotten C
| Fresh 64%
| Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) | "
It's bad enough when sequels repeat the plot of their original movie. But it's serious chutzpah when the sequel cribs key plot points of another movie, as Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa does with The Lion King." Posted Nov 7, 2008 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 67%
| High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008) | "
If you're a fan, you won't be disappointed." Posted Oct 24, 2008 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 35%
| Igor (2008) | "
You can think of it as an animated riff on the American dream: Our fate is determined not by the accident of our birth, but our own will, intelligence and talent. And let's not forget serendipity." Posted Sep 19, 2008 |
Fresh A-
| Fresh 64%
| Sixty Six (2008) | "
Sixty Six is also about accepting parents with all their frailties, coming to terms with the unfairness of life, and finding a way to switch the focus to the wonders we do have to celebrate." Posted Sep 12, 2008 |
Fresh B-
| Rotten 17%
| Fly Me To The Moon (2008) | "
The superior effects in Fly Me to the Moon reflect the talents of its creator, director Ben Stassen, who has been doing 3D for 14 years, mostly for science centers and museums." Posted Aug 15, 2008 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 89%
| Kung Fu Panda (2008) | "
The kung fu scenes overflow with crisp, thrilling and funny moments that whiz by in the 88-minute run time." Posted Jun 6, 2008 |
Fresh A-
| Fresh 66%
| The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) | "
Another triumph for director Adamson. He had us at Narnia but took us farther on this eloquent journey than we expected to go." Posted May 15, 2008 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 78%
| Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (2008) | "
Directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino direct with a keen eye for bringing Dr. Seuss' whimsical drawings and humanistic message to CG life." Posted Mar 14, 2008 |
Fresh B
| Fresh 79%
| The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) | "
Part of what keeps this from being just another children's fantasy is director Mark Waters' sensitivity to the way the enchanted elements deepen the emotional journey." Posted Feb 14, 2008 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 42%
| The Golden Compass (2007) | "
The carefully crafted look, in which fabulous fantasy mingles with hand-woven sweaters, offers a visual feast. The acting is impeccable from performers to voices." Posted Dec 7, 2007 |
Fresh A
| Fresh 77%
| Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) | "
To their credit, new director David Yates and new screenwriter Michael Goldenberg never lose the heart of the tale. Even in the midst of an incredibly thrilling magical battle of whippeting wands, flashing light and furor, they focus on Harry's inner war." Posted Jul 10, 2007 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 78%
| Surf's Up (2007) | "
Sorry, cynics, Surf's Up is a charmer. And if the birds look somewhat familiar, they have something fresh to say about friendship and what winning is all about." Posted Jun 8, 2007 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 53%
| The Last Mimzy (2007) | "
You have to give credit to a film such as Mimzy that, unlike most quick ha-ha, make-a-buck stuff for kids, could actually get them thinking about making a difference in a world in desperate need of change." Posted Mar 23, 2007 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 83%
| Lions 3D () | "
For audiences who only know lions through animated imitations or the bars of a zoo, this film commands respect for these magnificent creatures in the wild, whether plotting, nurturing, roaring, resting or leaping and snatching an antelope high in the air." Posted Mar 9, 2007 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 44%
| Night at the Museum (2006) | "
The special effects are a blast. The T-Rex skeleton looks authentic as it clatters down the hallway after a terrified Larry. But even better is the remarkable, star-studded ensemble." Posted Dec 21, 2006 |
Fresh A-
| Fresh 78%
| Charlotte's Web (2006) | "
Children of all ages, even those not old enough to read, can enjoy the journey." Posted Dec 14, 2006 |
Fresh A-
| Rotten 38%
| The Nativity Story (2006) | "
For families looking for a Christmas outing, it should not disappoint." Posted Dec 1, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Fresh 74%
| Happy Feet (2006) | "
Writer and director George Miller, the artistic force behind the beloved Babe and the Babe: Pig in the City movies, brings a concern for penguins that recalls the devotion shown by March of the Penguins." Posted Nov 17, 2006 |
Fresh B
| N/A | Paradise, Texas (2005) | "
It works as a stirring family film by drawing attention to how powerfully a parent's words and actions can affect and shape a child's life." Posted Nov 3, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Fresh 72%
| Flushed Away (2006) | "
The animation, computer-generated as opposed to Aardman's signature claymation style, pops with clever visual touches, and the voice cast, led by the omnipresent and ever likable Hugh Jackman as Roddy, is first-rate." Posted Nov 3, 2006 |
Fresh A-
| N/A | Ride Around the World (2006) | "
It's still those beautiful basics: self-reliant men and women on horseback, cattle drives that entail many nights of camping, faithful Border Collies that help guide the cattle where they need to go." Posted Oct 26, 2006 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 48%
| Driving Lessons (2006) | "
This ensemble delivers, engaging in repartee like Roger Federer plays tennis." Posted Oct 26, 2006 |
Fresh A
| Fresh 97%
| The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) | "
Thirteen years after its debut, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas has gone 3D, which makes a good thing even better." Posted Oct 20, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 53%
| Flicka (2006) | "
This is the kind of movie that many families are looking for, but all too rarely receive." Posted Oct 20, 2006 |
Rotten C
| Rotten 33%
| Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker (2006) | "
Yes, we've got brand new blond junior and grown-up Bonds this season, but the toughest task for Baby Bond could be finding an audience." Posted Oct 14, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 47%
| Open Season (2006) | "
One of the biggest surprises in this first full-length film from Sony Pictures Animation is how funny Ashton Kutcher is as Elliot." Posted Sep 29, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 40%
| Everyone's Hero (2006) | "
This handsomely animated, well-directed and -voiced G-rated film, set in the hope-starved era of the Depression, takes on special poignancy as the last directing project of Christopher Reeve." Posted Sep 15, 2006 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 92%
| Lassie (2006) | "
...The collie that became a star back in 1943 can still make you cry and cheer in the all-new Lassie." Posted Sep 2, 2006 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 57%
| How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) | "
In too many kid-oriented films, the child actors mouth off like small, sassy adults -- Here, the kids, refreshingly, act like kids." Posted Aug 24, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 22%
| Barnyard: The Original Party Animals (2006) | "
It looks great, and it's bright and colorful, fast and fun, with terrific voice talent... You may know from the opening where the story's heading, but it's a fun ride, and there's a lot of heart between the laughs." Posted Aug 3, 2006 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 36%
| The Lake House (2006) | "
The joy lies in getting there, with lush visual direction by Alejandro Agresti and appealing performances by Ms. Bullock and her old Speed co-star Keanu Reeves." Posted Jun 15, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 11%
| Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006) | "
While there are few surprises, the sweet sensibility dashed with Mr. Murray's acerbic delivery of Garfield makes an appealing mix." Posted Jun 15, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 37%
| Keeping Up With The Steins (2006) | "
An adept cast that resists stereotyping keeps the plot humming." Posted May 25, 2006 |
Fresh B-
| Rotten 13%
| Just My Luck (2006) | "
Throw in a hot new British bubblegum band, McFly, a bit of magic, romance, humor and a happy ending, and you've got a good, old-fashioned escapist popcorn flick." Posted May 11, 2006 |
Fresh B+
| Rotten 26%
| Hoot (2006) | "
This is a story about kids and nature, with strong messages about standing up to bullies, facing conflicts and why it is important to stand up for both the people and creatures that need protection." Posted May 5, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 41%
| When Do We Eat? (2006) | "
... worth a look." Posted Apr 28, 2006 |
Fresh B+
| Fresh 83%
| Akeelah and the Bee (2006) | "
Producers, including Mark Cuban and Starbucks, should be commended for putting their money behind a film that, like Akeelah herself, dares to be different." Posted Apr 28, 2006 |
Rotten D
| Rotten 31%
| Stick It (2006) | "
There are some great gymnastics stories out there. This isn't one of them." Posted Apr 27, 2006 |
Rotten C+
| Rotten 18%
| The Wild (2006) | "
New seems a bit of a misnomer for Disney's latest animated release, The Wild. A more honest choice? Finding Madagascar." Posted Apr 13, 2006 |
Fresh B
| Rotten 43%
| Take the Lead (2006) | "
The eye-popping dance numbers and affecting performances by the young leads, as well as Mr. Banderas and Ms. Woodard, make it worth the ride." Posted Apr 6, 2006 |
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