My kid is almost 8. We watch a lot of “Ninjago” in this house. So you can imagine how pumped we were (well, him specifically) about “The LEGO Ninjago Movie.” But the feature-film version of the long-running animated TV series only superficially resembles its source material, and it pales in...
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Reviews
RogerEbert.com — Storks
“Storks” is shockingly good — way better than it looks. It’s got a zippy, zany streak filled with absurdist asides reminiscent of “Looney Tunes” cartoons. But it also sneaks up on you with genuine emotion by the end. Just don’t look for real-world logic here — and enjoy those awkward...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Kubo and the Two Strings
The latest stop-motion animation extravaganza from Laika is as poignant for adults as it is entertaining for children. Inspired by a multitude of Japanese art forms, it’s textured yet crisp, frighteningly dark yet radiant with bold color. It’s a classic hero’s journey full of action and adventure, but it’s also...
Read moreThe Secret Life of Pets
Universal Pictures Rated PG for action and some rude humor. Running time: 91 minutes. Three stars out of four. I realize I’m egregiously late in writing about “The Secret Life of Pets” — or any recent movie, for that matter — but I’m playing catch-up after being out of town...
Read moreFinding Dory
Disney Pixar Rated PG for mild thematic elements. Running time: 103 minutes Three stars out of four. If there were no such thing as “Finding Nemo” — if there were never a previous Pixar movie, ever — we’d all be blown away by “Finding Dory.” It’s gorgeous. It’s lively. It’s...
Read moreKung Fu Panda 3
DreamWorks Animation Rated PG for martial arts action and some mild rude humor. Running time: 95 minutes. Three stars out of four. So vividly immersive is “Kung Fu Panda 3” — so vibrant, so tactile — it will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fully realized world....
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Boy and the World
The animated Brazilian film “Boy and the World” may look simple, but as it unfurls and takes hold, it’s dazzling in its colors and aesthetics. As a parable about the perils of industrialization, it’s not the most subtle, but it’s always a wonder to watch. My RogerEbert.com review. Read the...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — The Peanuts Movie
I am the target audience for “The Peanuts Movie.” I was all in. So it brings me no joy to report to you that it’s a rather safe repackaging of material you’ve seen before. Bring on the angry hordes. My RogerEbert.com review. Read the review here...
Read moreInside Out
Disney/Pixar Rated PG for mild thematic elements and some action. Running time: 94 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four. Here’s the main difference between me and my 5-year-old son. I mean, clearly, there are many, including the fact that someday soon he’ll be able to reach items...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Penguins of Madagascar
“Penguins of Madagascar,” a spin-off from the “Madagascar” franchise, is zippy and zany and much funnier than you might expect. I laughed the whole way through — because the vast majority of the humor is for us and not our kids. Still, this animated comedy is super family-friendly. My RogerEbert.com...
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