Prepare for Awesomeness: Kung Fu Panda

Release Date: June 6th, 2008
Runtime: 92 min
Rating: PG for sequences of martial arts action
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

Kung Fu Panda was an incredibly cute movie. The graphics were great, the writing was fun and witty, and the voice actors did a great job. I had quite a few good laughs during this film. Although the story was pretty straight forward and a lot of moments were predictable, those likely moments seemed to be part of the joke and just made it that much more fun.

Kung Fu Panda is about an overweight panda named Po who works as a waiter in his father's noodle shop who has dreams that hes a great kung fu master. One day he is given a chance to make his dreams come true when the wise Master Oogway chooses Po as the mighty Dragon Warrior who will fulfill an ancient prophecy. Po then gets to train along side his idols known as the furious five under the leadership of Master Shifu. When word comes that the vengeful snow leopard Tai Lung escapes from prison and is heading their way Po has to straighten up and put his skills to the test because its up to him to save the day.

Kung Fu Panda is another movie that can safely be watched by children and enjoyed by all. It even has a few life lessons thrown into the fun as well.

Kung Fu Panda on IMDB
Kung Fu Panda Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Kung Fu Panda and enjoyed it you may also like: How to Train Your Dragon, Over the Hedge, Bolt, Madagascar, Ratatouille, Mulan

Not Perfect, but Still a Load of Fun: Monsters vs. Aliens

Release Date: March 27th, 2009
Runtime: 94 min
Rating: PG for sci-fi action, crude humor and mild language
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

Although Monsters vs Aliens certainly isn't one of the best animated movies I've seen recently I did enjoy watching it. The animation was great, the story was decent, and the voice-actors did a great job. This film featured several very talented actors including Hugh Laurie, Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson and many others. My personal favorite was B.O.B. the amorphous blob voiced by Seth Rogen, he did an incredible job and was quite funny.

When a radioactive meteor falls from space and hits Susan Murphy on her wedding day she is transformed into a platinum-haired giant. Susan is immediately taken away by the government to a secret underground facility where they call her "Ginormica". At this facility Susan meets a group of other bizarre creatures who call themselves monsters. When a villainous alien named Gallaxhar unleashes a giant robot probe in San Fransisco the governments last hope of defense is to let the "monsters" out to defend the planet.

If you're looking for a fun film to watch with the whole family Monsters vs. Aliens should definitely be put somewhere on the top of the list.

Monsters vs. Aliens on IMDB
Monsters vs. Aliens Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Monsters vs. Aliens and enjoyed it you may also like: Wall-E, Monsters, Inc., Lilo & Stitch, Ice Age, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Planet 51

Fun-Filled Adventure: The Incredibles

Release Date: November 5th, 2004
Runtime: 115 min
Rating: PG for action violence
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

The Incredibles was an incredibly cute movie. The graphics were phenomenal, the characters were unique and interesting, and the plot was quite engaging. The Incredibles also wasn't short on laughs at all.

Metroville is a city where superheros could once roam the streets saving the day. Then because of numerous lawsuits filed against the superheroes by people who had been saved, superheroes had to go into hiding and were forced to lead normal lives. 15 years later Bob Parr (aka. Mr. Incredible), his wife Helen (aka. Elastagirl) and their children Violet, Dash, and Jack Jack live ordinary lives in Metroville. Bob works a normal job as an insurance agent and is just itching for the good-old days of being a hero. When Bobs gets the chance again by a mysterious agent he jumps at the opportunity. He soon find out however that now his super-family is going to have to work together to save the day.

The Incredibles, although meant for the whole family may actually intrigue adults even more so than children at times. This is Definitely a must see.

The Incredibles on IMDB
The Incredibles Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen The Incredibles and enjoyed it you may also like: Sky High, Wall-E, Finding Nemo, Cars, Over the Hedge, Monsters, Inc.

Loopy but Enjoyable: National Treasure

Release Date: November 19th, 2004
Runtime: 131 min
Rating: PG for action violence and some scary images
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

I'll just come right out and say it, National Treasure was silly. It had one of the most unrealistic plots I've seen in a long time, but I had a blast watching it.

National Treasure is about Ben Gates, a man who comes from a long line of treasure hunters who have all been hunting for the same treasure originally hidden by the founding fathers. The founding fathers apparently left clues as to its whereabouts hidden in plain site all over the county. When Ben finally thinks he's found where it is he finds yet another clue, a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Ben then learns that one of his associates plans to steal the Declaration and in order to protect the world's greatest treasure Ben must now steal it himself.

A deep and thought provoking plot? No. A super fun film to watch? Yes. If weak plots don't bother you and you're looking for some good fun filled entertainment for the whole family National Treasure is a very good choice. It's also extremely family friendly.

National Treasure on IMDB
National Treasure Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen National Treasure and enjoyed it you may also like: National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets, The Da Vinci Code, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Classic Tale of Good vs. Evil: Willow

Release Date: May 20th, 1988

Runtime: 126 min
Rating: PG
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

Willow is one of my all time favorite fantasy adventure movies. I don't even know how many times I've seen Willow, but I'm sure it could fill two hands. The fun story, likable characters, and nice visuals will definitely make this worth your time.

Willow stars Val Kilmer as Madmartigan the self proclaimed worlds greatest swordsman and Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood a peaceful farmer and wannabe sorcerer from a small village of little folk called Nelwyn. When the evil Queen Bavmorda begins looking for the infant child that is prophesied to take her throne the child is sent down a river and found by Willow. On his way to return the baby to her own kind Willow meets up with Madmartigan and together they set out on a journey through a mystical land of magic and monsters to protect the baby from evil and fulfill the prophecy.

Willow is an excellent choice for children who have outgrown the Disney variety of film and want something with a little more edge. It has some mystery, action, comedy, a small bit of romance and of course the moral lesson of good overcoming evil. Although the technology used to make this is clearly outdated, it is an amazing piece of work that should be watched and re-watched.

Willow on IMDB

Willow Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Willow and enjoyed it I would also recommend seeing: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Dragonheart, The Neverending Story, Legend