4 Starfish out of 5.

Many people battle for world dominance, but what about villains?  Gru is the anti-hero with a long, pointy nose and a grey and black scarf that he wears all seasons, in Universal’s first animation feature premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival. I rate this movie 4 starfish, it’s “Perrific.”  Packed with action and drama, it has comedy for both adults and children.  The music is energetic and creates tension.

Ten-year-old Perry Chen of San Diego is making a name for himself as a film critic. Check out his interview with NPR's Liane Hansen as they discuss the latest DreamWorks film, How To Train Your Dragon as well as his KUSI San Diego TV interview/review.

Guard Dog Global Jam Scene 41 Drawing - by Perry S. Chen (bull thinks of hamburger)

5th-grade award-winning film critic, animator, entertainment personality Perry Chen is the youngest of 75 animators who created “Guard Dog Global Jam,” which will have its Los Angeles Premiere at the New Media Film Festival on May 20, 2011 in Hollywood.  Perry Chen will attend the red carpet premiere and audience Q&A on May 20 as the film opens the festival.  “Guard Dog Global Jam” is based on Bill Plympton’s Oscar-nominated “Guard Dog.” It won “Best Experimental Film” at the ASIFA-EAST Animation Festival in May 2011.  Other animators who plan to attend the May 20 LA premiere include: Grey Wears, Una Marzorati, Jessica Bayliss, Linda Lee, Ansar Sattar & Larry Loc.

2 1/2 Starfish out of 5

This Disney new 3D animation release opening TODAY (March 11, 2011) is mediocre at best.  The storyline about a young boy who went up to Mars to save his mom who was kidnapped by Martians is weak and not believable.  The character Gribble (stranded boy who grew up to be an adult on Mars) is not credible or well developed.  The visual is not that impressive either.

4.5 Starfish out of 5

What would the young Alice from Alice in Wonderland be like… 13 years later?  Faced with the challenges and issues of adult life, will she have time to retreat into the fantasy world of Wonderland?

Tim Burton’s new film adds a unique twist to the classic story.  It is about love, courage, sacrifice, dreams, and reality.  The June 2, 2010 release of the triple DVD set includes blu-ray, regular DVD and a digital DVD for the computer.  It is a real treat!

4 Starfish out of 5.

What a relief after four months of mediocre animations to finally have a great animated film! “Rio” is a superb film with rich characters, dazzling visuals, lively music, great humor, and an interesting story with many twists and turns in the plot. The film is created by the same team that made The Ice Age, and opened nationwide on April 15, 2011, rated G.

3.5 Starfish out of 5

What if you signed a contract that was supposed to make all your dreams come true, but found out that it was a dreadful trick?

Everyone’s favorite green ogre Shrek finds himself in a huge dilemma in this DreamWork’s 4th and final Shrek movie, opening TODAY (May 21, 2010).

Everyone loves Shrek and I can see why.  There is drama, action, and comedy packed into an hour and half long film, that it seems to leave little room for flaws.  But the flaws are major ones in my view.

4.5 Starfish our of 5

Toy Story 3 is the best of the series with few flaws.  It is about the connection between toys, their owners, and each other.  It is also about friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and moving on with one’s life.  One lesson learned is that the past can affect the future in a major way.  The film is rated G.  I urge everyone to see this “Perrific” movie!

Tangled gets 4.5 out of 5 starfish.

Tangled is a spectacular film filled with rich and colorful characters, each with different personality.  The movie is full of action, comedy, and romance.  Even though the film uses one punch line after another, it is the kind of “appropriate humor” that is character and situation based, not potty humor.  It is also easy to understand for younger kids and appreciated by adults as well.

3.5 Starfish out of 5

Continued from previous Narnia movies, Lucy and her brother Edmund, embark on an adventure in “The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” the third film in the series opening on December 10, 2010. The journey takes them on beyond Narnia itself.  Lucy and Edmond seem like ordinary kids, but they are King and Queen in the imaginary land of Narnia.  Today, however, they are going to visit their cranky young cousin Eustace, who doesn’t believe fairly tales and imaginary things until he sees them come alive.