Three massive blockbusters are ready and waiting for families of all shapes and sizes these school holidays. All you have to do is decide which one(s) to watch.
That decision comes with a bunch of questions. What is this movie saying? Is it violent? Is it scary? Am I going to have to explain why this Pixar film is making me bawl my eyes out?
I may be a childless man, but I’m also a childish man, and with those powers bestowed upon me, I attempt to answer all those questions for these school holiday’s big three family films.
Hoppers
Despite their reputation, this is one Pixar film that won’t make you cry. It is, however, likely to make you laugh as loudly as your child thanks to the studio’s underappreciated ability to pair manic energy with pinpoint comedic timing.
The film follows a girl who sneakily “hops” her mind into a robo-beaver. This allows her to communicate with animals and initiate her dream of saving a beloved pond from development. She did not, however, dream that her rallying cry would cause a revolt of deadly proportions.
What seems like a straightforward save-the-environment tale hides a deceptively deep story of unity vs division. It never bashes you over the head with message though, mainly because of its rapid pace and laser focus on delivering top-shelf absurdity. There are some fight scenes and at least one creature dies, but less in a depressing Marley & Me sob fest and more of a darkly funny Wild Robot sort of way.
Children & Media Australia rating: Not suitable under 7; parental guidance to 8 (violence, scary scenes) – read more
The Magic Faraway Tree
Both the most earnest of the three and the one family film that’s truly about family, this fantastical adventure flick recalls classics like The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and The NeverEnding Story in endlessly charming and nostalgic ways while also being very relevant.
The story centres on a family of five who turn unfortunate circumstances into an opportunity to realise their dream of living off the land on a farm. Well, that’s the parents’ dream, anyway – the kids initially struggle to adapt to a world without screens, but that soon changes when they venture up the world’s greatest treehouse and into further realms of magic. But when their new home struggles, it’s up to the kids to make their mum and dad’s dream come true.
While CG fills a lot of fantasy gaps in the film, the playful sets and costumes make the various realms in The Magic Faraway Tree feel like actual places kids can imagine themselves being in. It’s a big aid in the film’s overall message about getting together and experiencing the wonder of physical exploration, which is the antithesis of screen life. Timely, given the recent court ruling that found Meta and YouTube guilty of creating intentionally addictive and harmful platforms.
Children & Media Australia rating: Not suitable under 6; parental guidance to 7 (scary scenes, violence) – read more
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Look, if you and your family enjoyed 2023’s Super Mario Bros, you’ll enjoy this one. That’s the simple truth. This sequel is just as action-packed, visually outstanding, and not really a movie.
Princess Rosalina gets kidnapped by Bowser’s son. Mario, Peach and other Nintendo mascots race across the cosmos to save her. This is the basic A-to-B plot, connected by a long and loose string of shenanigans. It uses the Super Mario Galaxy games less as a storytelling device and more of an excuse to create an extended cinematic universe.
Don’t be fooled by talks of fatherhood and sibling bonds – this film isn’t saying anything (except that, maybe, violence does solve your problems). Much like how McDonald’s engineers a burger, Illumination has engineered an hour and a half of non-stop entertainment filled with a lot of fight scenes, a dump truck of gaming references, and visual gags of the Minions variety. You can earnestly call this big-screen sugar rush a fun treat for the family. Just don’t pretend it’s healthy.
Children & Media Australia rating: Not suitable under 6; parental guidance to 8 (violence, scary scenes) – read more
