The school holidays are upon us, and we’re here to help you suss out what you should take your cinema-loving kids to. Whether small or large, there’s a film to suit all ages and genders – and we’ve gone ahead and categorised them for you.
For the whole family
ERNEST & CELESTINE
Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, this gorgeously hand-drawn watercolour tale follows the unlikely friendship between a little mouse (destined for dentistry but yearning to be an artist) and a down-on-his-luck bear (a poet and musician). Forest Whitaker lends his voice to this “flawlessly done” English-dubbed version as Ernest.
“A welcomed alternative to chaotic kid-centric blockbusters, channelling the spirit of humble animated greats My Neighbour Totoro and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.” – Liam Maguren, FLICKS
For the young lasses
TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY
Tink journeys to the high-seas in her sixth movie, which follows her and her pals as they track down the thieving pirates that took their Blue Pixie Dust. The mission proves tricky however, as the band of fairies find that their respective talents have been switched.
“This tribute to female friendship and girl power is a kick.” – THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
For the young lads
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
DreamWorks follows up its celebrated Vikings-vs-Dragons adventure with this Vikings-riding-Dragons sequel that ups the number of creatures, as well as the stakes. Set five years after the first film, How to Train Your Dragon 2 puts itself in the unique position of growing up with its young fan-base while delivering on all the high-flying spectacle that made the 3D ticket worth it.
“The sequel doesn’t attempt to take things in a completely new direction, choosing instead to expand its world and characters with great success.” – Liam Maguren, FLICKS
2D movie times and book tickets | 3D movie times and book tickets
For the toddlers
THE HOUSE OF MAGIC
Kindy kids may get a kick out of this 3D animated tale of an abandoned cat who seeks shelter in the large, whimsical house of an elderly magician. But when the kindly old fellow is sent to hospital, it is up to the feline and his new pals to defend the house from a smarmy real estate agent.
“See it in 3D – the playful effect varies from the typical stick-in-your-face gimmicks to some nicely done first-person joy-ride segments.” – Liam Maguren, FLICKS
2D movie times and book tickets | 3D movie times and book tickets
NZIFF for Kids
The New Zealand International Film Festival opens in Auckland near the end of the school holidays, giving parents the opportunity to introduce their children to other delightful family-friendly experiences. These include a story shot in the Amazon jungle about a lost little monkey (Amazonia 3D), a family adventure about a 12-year-old genius (The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet 3D), and two lots of hand-picked animated shorts aimed at kids and tots.
Animation for Kids: Fri 18 July 11:15am
Amazonia 3D: Fri 18 July 12:30pm & 2:15pm
Toons for Tots: Sat 19 July 10:00am
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet 3D: Sun 20 July 2:00pm
Also still playing in various parts of New Zealand: Tarzan (2D & 3D), The LEGO Movie 3D, Muppets Most Wanted, Rio 2
