Summer Movie Preview Part II

Last Updated on Monday, 07 June 2010 11:23 Written by Kimberly Gadette

Last month in Parenting OC, we featured the family films of May and June. This month we take a sneak peak at the remainder of the summer lineup. Both “The Last Airbender” and “Ramona and Beezus” were formerly television series (Nickelodeon and PBS, respectively). “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” was a segment from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” and the current “Beastly” bows to Disney’s world renowned animated feature, “The Beauty and the Beast.” While “Despicable Me” is an original creation, the other three movies are bona fide theatrical sequels. Without further delay, here’s Part II of our summertime sneak:

 

July 2

THE LAST AIRBENDER (presented in both 3D and 2D)
Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone, Nicola Peltz
MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG

Plot: Based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series, this is the first of a three-part story that integrates martial arts, mythology and Eastern religions with the hero’s quest to save the world. In a land where the elements of Water, Earth, Fire, and Air can be controlled by those known as “benders,” Fire Nation has waged a 100-year war on the other nations. The last chance for peace rests with young Aang, who must succeed in manipulating and uniting all four elements.

Concerns: A fantastical tale, the special effects are in full force ... but far more imaginary than real. Some characters’ eye sockets glow with a blue-white light, their eyeballs unseen, which could possibly frighten small children. Though there is much swordplay, death and destruction, it’s highly stylized. Note that since the original series was specifically crafted for child audiences, the violence shouldn’t be too intense in this leap from animation to live action.



July 9

DESPICABLE ME (in Real 3D)
Voice cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett,
Kristen Wiig
MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor and mild action

Plot: Our protagonist is the super villain known as Gru, who surrounds himself with a yellow army of capsule-sized minions who follow his every wish. He is repeatedly foiled by the smarter super-villain Vector, as well as a trio of orphan little girls who discover that he does, indeed, have a heart. Will his plans to capture the moon succeed? Given the fact that he’s constantly distracted by these three wacky little girls, will he ultimately care?

Concerns: The very rude Gru speaks with a thick accent that may be difficult for some children to understand. A dubious hero, since he’s also the villain, his behavior is below par—he’ll present children with balloons, only to pop them; he’ll blow up a carnival booth to win a prize. There are scatological references, characters frequently hitting each other and constant detonations (though no one gets truly hurt). Children could come away with the idea that bad behavior is funny, even admirable.

July 16

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG-13

Plot: Master sorcerer Balthazar goes head-to-head, or rather spell-to-spell, with arch-nemesis Maxim in modern day Manhattan. After centuries of looking, Balthazar chooses a seemingly average young man named Dave to act as his assistant. Though Dave has far more promise as a sorcerer than he knows, he’ll still have to undergo Balthazar’s crash course on the art of science and magic. Can Dave survive the training, save the day and get the girl? That’s where the magic comes in.
Concerns: Far from the Mickey Mouse version, this “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is more akin to “Harry Potter” meets “The Mummy.” Giant stone griffins and gargoyles come to life, firestorms erupt and roaches surge ... all scary enough, but at least the bad guy isn’t as frightening as Voldemort. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer cranks up the volume, which might overwhelm younger viewers. However, billed as a “comedy adventure,” Dave balances the intense action with his frequent comedic reactions to the whole.

July 23

RAMONA AND BEEZUS
Selena Gomez, Joey King, John Corbett
MPAA Rating: G

Plot: Based on the best-selling books by Beverly Cleary, this upcoming film is the first adaptation for the widescreen (a prior PBS 10-part television series ran in the ‘80s). eight-year-old Ramona boasts a vivid imagination that keeps everyone she meets on their toes. She’s often challenged by her bossy older sister “Beezus” (the nickname given to her by baby Ramona, who couldn’t pronounce “Beatrice”). When her family’s home looks like it needs saving—it’s Ramona to the rescue.

Concerns: None. This film looks to appeal to the same audience who loved 2008’s “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” Ramona is a smart young ingénue who is allowed to express herself on her own individual terms, and who has strong, loving support from her family (even older sister Beezus). Not many films are centered around a female child; this movie provides an emphatic nod in celebration of little girls with big dreams.

July 30

CATS & DOGS: REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE (in 3D)
Voice Cast: Alec Baldwin, Michael Clarke Duncan, Bette Midler
Live Cast: Chris O’Donnell, Jack McBrayer
MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG

Plot: Calling K-911: In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has hatched an im-paw-sible plot. Kitty Galore, a former agent with cat spy organization MEOWS, intends to make the world her scratching post, taking down both her canine enemies and kitty comrades. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs are forced to join forces for the first time in history, in an unlikely alliance to save both themselves and their humans.

Concerns: A sequel to 2001’s “Cats & Dogs,” blending live action, puppetry and computer animation, this film looks to be a fun romp with talking animals aplenty. The spy comedy offers entertaining visuals (e.g., exploding squirrel robots, dogs flying through space, cuddly pups and kittens). Other than a vague reference to drug usage (cats hopped up on too much catnip), while the kid-centric movie may be a bit tame for adults, it’ll have plenty of bite for the younger crowd.

July 30

BEASTLY
Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary-Kate Olsen, Neil Patrick Harris
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language including some crude comments, drug references and brief violence

Plot: A modern take on “The Beauty and the Beast,” Kyle’s good looks mask an ugly interior. When he taunts a classmate, she casts a spell, transforming Kyle into a scarred monstrosity. Banished behind doors with a blind tutor, Kyle learns that he only has a year to find someone to love him the way he is, or he’ll stay beastly forever. He pins all his hopes on the beautiful Lindy, who just may see something in Kyle to love after all.

Concerns: Lindy’s father is an drug addict; there is a scene in which a possible murder may occur. Though Kyle’s face and body is scarred, he looks as if he’s taken too many trips to the tattoo parlor rather than having been transformed into a monster. The film’s message of the importance of beauty within, “substance over style,” can’t be emphasized enough—particularly given the fact that today’s adolescent viewer is often subjected to a constant barrage of unrealistic body ideals.

August 6

STEP UP 3D
Rick Malambri, Adam G. Sevani, Sharni Vinson, Alyson Stoner
MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG-13

Plot: The third installment of New York’s street-dancing underground, what makes this particular chapter of “Step Up” so special? As Disney states, it’s “the first ever 3D dance drama.” In this film, a tightly-knit group of street dancers team up with an NYU freshman as they’re pitted against the world’s best hip-hop dancers in a high stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.

Concerns: The characters are older teens and twentysomethings who aren’t shy about their attraction to each other. Look for many scenes with the leads in close contact, either kissing, or on the verge of kissing before being interrupted. The dancing is sometimes sexually charged, the moves suggestive, but as this movie is distributed by kid-friendly Disney, the provocative nature is harnessed. If parents have approved the prior two movies, then this one will pass muster as well.

August 20

NANNY MCPHEE RETURNS
Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans, Maggie Smith
MPAA Rating: PG for rude humor, some language and mild thematic elements

Plot: In this sequel, Nanny McPhee visits a harried young mother who’s trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. Her three children are also involved in a war, fighting against their two spoiled city cousins who’ve just moved in with no intention of leaving. With flying motorcycles, statues coming to life, tree-climbing piglets and a baby elephant fond of surprise appearances, Nanny uses her magic to teach the children a few invaluable life lessons.

Concerns: Other than some scatological references and animal belches, the film offers few concerns—unless Nanny McPhee’s own witchy looks cause some fear. An older, homely version of Mary Poppins, McPhee is intent on transforming unruly children into sweet-natured models of civilized behavior. While the snobbish cousins are laughable, they may offer up cautionary examples of just what poor behavior looks like to the outside eye. Additional entertainment abounds in the guise of magical animals (e.g., pigs performing synchronized swimming).

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN,
WRITER/DIRECTOR OF “THE LAST AIRBENDER”

Q: What’s easier, directing a film that you’ve written, or, as with “The Last Airbender,” working from an adaptation?

M. Night Shyamalan: I think that’s always been the big question for me—the fear of working on something that’s not mine has lingered for a while. But then I wrote “Stuart Little,” and I felt like I made it my own, led me to be comfortable with the process here. And there’s so many things inherently in “Airbender” that are close to me in terms of my interests: the martial arts, the Hinduism, the Buddhism, and the empowerment of children. That being said, it’s still terrifying to take someone else’s story and bring it to life because the question remains: can you love it the same way?

Q: Children always seem to figure predominantly in your films. Could you address why?

M. Night Shyamalan: I grew up with Steven Spielberg telling me all his stories; he came from the pivot point of a 12-year-old boy and how that boy saw the world: “E.T.,” “Poltergeist” you name it. He spoke directly to me because I happened to be between 10 and 12 years old when he was making these movies and I was his target audience.  And so he hit me right between the eyes with his storytelling.

Also, I think that there is some natural moment of changing as a human being from a kid whose world can be anything , where anything is possible.  From a kid believing in that unknown magic…and then becoming a grown-up and letting go of all those beliefs, well, there’s something really sad about that moment. I guess I keep telling stories about the people who don’t let go of that moment.

Q: What was it about this film that made you decide to take it on?

M. Night Shyamalan: I’d been wanting to make a more epic movie than my thrillers just for the experience; I’d wanted to tell a larger canvas story.  And so, I had conversations with a bunch of studios about some of these larger movies that have these epic qualities; I was waiting for the right moment when it all kind of felt right, and this is that moment.

Q: Rumor has it you’re not going to make your usual cameo appearance in the film this time around?

M. Night Shyamalan: I have my eye on a tiny little part coming up, but you won’t see me in the first one. Maybe the second or third (it’s a three-part story).

Q: Can a parent take their 8-year-old to this film?

M. Night Shyamalan: Yes! It’s adapted from a cartoon that my child watched at 7— the things that she fell in love with watching that show are in this movie. And so, whole-heartedly, you should bring your 7- or 8-year-old kid to the movie. —with Kimberly Gadette