All Forms of Art

  I have to admit that I’m suspicious of movie sequels. Especially when I really liked the first movie. Something about a second film makes me expect disappointment. The characters are already established, the story has already had its big emotional moment, and sometimes it feels like the sequel exists simply because the first movie was successful. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by Moana 2 . It isn't perfect, and I don't think it has quite the same freshness as the first film, but I genuinely enjoyed it.  A Different Kind of Disney Heroine Modern Disney has moved away from the idea that every heroine needs a romantic story, and Moana fits into this new view. She doesn't need a boyfriend. She doesn't need a boy to rescue her, complete her, or give her story meaning. She can stand on her own, but that doesn't mean she's completely alone, either. Moana is independent, but she still needs other people. Friendship and Teamwork Independence doesn't mea...

  There is something interesting about trying to figure out what children today actually want from their stories. Adults often imagine that the answer has to be something completely new. New characters, new worlds, new aesthetics, new ways of telling stories. But perhaps children haven't changed as much as we think. They still want heroes. They still want to feel special. They still want friendship, adventure, glamour and the possibility that they could somehow make the world a better place. What has changed is the language we use to tell those stories. And KPop Demon Hunters seems to understand that very well. Instead of knights, superheroes or traditional fantasy warriors, we get K-pop idols. They have the glamour, the fame, the music and the huge performances that are already part of the cultural world many children and teenagers recognize. But underneath all of that is a surprisingly familiar story about identity, shame, belonging and hope. The demons are almost secondary....

  If you loved the first Zootopia , chances are you were waiting impatiently for Zootopia 2 — and it was worth it.  The sequel brings back the charm, humor, and emotional storytelling that made the original movie so memorable, while also introducing darker and more mature themes that older audiences will definitely appreciate. From corruption and betrayal to complicated friendships and political chaos, Zootopia 2 proves once again that animated movies are not just for kids. A New Case, A New Mayor, and Total Chaos The story throws us right back into the busy world of Zootopia, but things are far from peaceful this time. With a new mayor in charge and a brand-new mystery to solve, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) find themselves caught in another complicated case full of twists, secrets, and unexpected trouble. The movie moves quickly and keeps the audience entertained from beginning to end. There is always something happening, whether it is an...

  If you are looking for a lighthearted family movie with adorable fantasy creatures, positive messages, and a genuinely satisfying ending, Swapped delivers exactly that.  While it follows some familiar themes from modern animated films, it also makes a few unexpected choices that help it stand out from the crowd. A Familiar Setup That Becomes Something Better At first, Swapped seemed likely to follow the same path as Migration — especially with the overprotective parent trope and the constant fear of the outside world. Recent animated movies often lean heavily on this formula, so initially it felt predictable. But surprisingly, the story takes a different direction, and in many ways, a better one. The movie still focuses on themes we see everywhere in kids’ entertainment today: friendship, teamwork, bravery, self-confidence, and the discovery of one's potential. Those are all good lessons for children, even if they have become a little repetitive lately. Thankfully, Sw...

  Migration is a sweet, easy-to-watch animated movie that works best as a family experience.  It’s the kind of film that invites everyone to sit together on the couch, relax, and enjoy a lighthearted adventure. There’s nothing too heavy here, but there is heart — and that’s where the movie shines. Taking Risks Without Losing Yourself At its core, Migration is an empowering story about taking risks and overcoming fear. The movie explores the idea that growth doesn’t happen without stepping outside your comfort zone, while also gently reminding us that risk-taking needs balance. Safety, caution, and responsibility still matter. This theme feels familiar — much like Finding Nemo , where fear of danger clashes with the need for independence, or Up , where adventure only begins once the main character dares to let go of routine. Migration fits comfortably into that tradition, delivering its message in a way that’s accessible for kids while still meaningful for adults. Freed...

  Arcane is an animated series that has captivated audiences, even those who typically don't gravitate towards animation.  Set in the League of Legends universe, the show delves into the complex relationship between two sisters, Vi and Jinx, amidst the tension between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. The compelling narrative offers a blend of action, political intrigue, and emotional depth that resonates with a broad audience. Simply Art The animation in Arcane is genuinely remarkable. The series employs a unique art style that combines 2D and 3D techniques, resulting in stunning and immersive visuals.  Each frame is meticulously crafted, bringing the world and its characters to life with exceptional detail. This visual artistry enhances the storytelling, making the viewing experience engaging and memorable.  Forget League of Legends and Enjoy Beyond its visual appeal, Arcane excels in character development and writing. The seri...

  Once your kid overcomes the Paw Patrol phase, you can stop pretending you're too grown-up to watch cartoons.  I'm always up to a good animation movie and, last week, we decided to go to the movies and watch DC League of Super-Pets . The little one was bothering us for a while to watch it. I wasn't expecting much of the film, I'm not a superhero kind of person, but I liked it. It is a fun movie! The shelter At the movie's beginning, most pets from the league are in a shelter. You have an interesting couple of scenes there. The kittens never stay there for long. I got curious to know, in reality, what the stats say about this. The animals are sad, despite being well treated, and all the shelter workers seem to be fond of them. It is a subtle but important lesson to the viewer.  Lulu One of the animals in the shelter is Lulu, a guinea pig with no fur, which seems absolutely crazy. Well, she is. Lulu is the big villain in the movie, a funny one. Also, it took me a wh...

  Another Disney movie? Yes, it is impossible to avoid them with a six-year-old in the house. In fact, she was the one that wanted to show me this movie. She watched it in school and was adamant that I needed to watch it. Well, I did, and she was right. I liked it. I don’t even know where to begin this review. If Encanto was sweet, this one is special.  Teenagers and Friendship The movie is about a teen girl who has the ability (or curse) to transform herself into a giant red panda. But, unfortunately, she can’t control when she transforms. So it can be not very pleasant (to say the least) sometimes.  She has a small group of friends that are the best friends one can have. They accept her and protect her, no matter what. Friendship is above everything else. Also, they don't foresee significant consequences for the little giant red problem. They are teens! Each girl is very different from the others, each with their style, which is amazing and funny. Not all girls need to...

  La familia madrigal. A family full of magic helps everyone in the small village they live in. The grandmother had to run away in the past, and when everything seemed to be lost, a miracle happened - magic! Now, every member of the family receives their special magical abilities. Well, most of them… Being different Mirabel is the only one in her family who has no powers. So can you imagine the problem? I see it as an inverted version of Frozen . In this case, the problematic one is the girl who doesn't have magic. The problem is not the magic. The problem is to be different. We can not forget that this is a Disney movie, so it has life lessons for children (and not only for them). It is okay to be different because that means you can solve problems that others can't. Also, you don't need to be perfect. You need to be happy.  Abuela In my opinion, the most crucial lesson in the film is for adults, not children. It is related to the Abuela character.  She was so focused...

Well, what can I say about this movie, in addition to “I laughed a lot!”? I really don’t know.  It’s a hilarious movie. I could watch it more than once, and I’m sure I would be laughing nonetheless. It’s a kids’ movie, but there are some jokes that only you will laugh at, and that's what makes it so enjoyable to watch. (Not so) Subtle Criticisms The whole movie has an enormous number of good characters. Some are nice guys, and some are terrible and mean. The usual for a kids' movie, right? I believe Zootopia went a bit further. The criticism ranges from prejudice within the police because of Judy’s delicate appearance to the corruption and abuse of power shown by Bellwether. However, for me, the most amazing ones were the sloths. I couldn’t stop laughing, as well as getting annoyed by how slow they were. Very close to many real public departments, I must admit.  Yes, you can. If you fight for it. What I like most about the overall stor...

Coco was the Christmas Eve movie last year. It could be surprising. It has nothing to do with Christmas, or does it? It is a beautiful story about love, family, and… music. Miguel, the main character, wants to be a musician, but his family has banned music from their lives for a few generations now. How to live without music? Latin culture and family   Disney and Pixar focused on different cultures around the world to tell their stories. This is most probably one of the reasons their movies are so popular in so many places. In  Coco , Pixar chooses a vibrant cultural background and, in my opinion, the most unexpected of their traditions for a children’s movie: the Day of the Dead ( Día de los Muertos ). It was adorable to see how tight-knit a traditional Mexican family can be, helping their elderly and taking on demanding responsibilities from everyone in the house.  I think what was more surprising, after all, was that the movie was ...

An animated movie usually tends to be a good time for everyone, whether it’s just to relax a little or to enjoy some quality family time. I watched Big Hero 6 last Christmas, and I must say, it was absolutely delightful. A very pleasant surprise At first, I assumed it would be another generic robotics film—something full of gadgets, unrealistic inventions, and empty spectacle meant to dazzle kids without truly connecting with them. Fortunately, I was wrong. So very wrong. Big Hero 6 turned out to be a beautiful, heartfelt story about love, friendship, and sacrifice. Real Emotion, Real Impact The film surprised me with its emotional depth. It's sweet, yes—but also sad and sobering in a good way . It doesn’t shy away from showing young audiences that life includes loss and pain, and that growth often comes from hardship. Rather than shielding kids from life’s challenges, it empowers them to face those challenges and come out stronger. Right and Wrong Are Never Out of ...