HDNet Movies kidScene offers a collection of classic family films throughout the month of May that will have you laughing out loud. Whether you've seen these films before or are experiencing them for the first time, these popular titles will please even the pickiest viewers.Two films our youth critics love are "Mousehunt," starring the hilarious Nathan Lane and Lee Evans and "Ice Age," the hit animated film that spawned many sequels - all box office hits! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Molly Jackson says that "Mousehunt" is "a laugh-out-loud family comedy." "Ice Age" reminded 13-year-old Brianna Hope Beaton of when she was young, noting that the film is very funny and also teaches that "you should help people and animals as much as you can, because it can result in a good ending." Visit the KIDS FIRST! portal on HDNet Movies kidScene for all our latest reviews. 

Mousehunt
Reviewed by Molly J., age 11
See Molly's full video review here

If you are an old time classic film lover like me, you will love “Mousehunt,” a laugh-out-loud family comedy. This movie is a battle of wits between humans and a mouse. Two men inherit a string factory and an old, run down house from their dad. Throughout the film, they battle to get along, but the hunt for the mouse brings them closer. The two brothers, Ernie (Nathan Lane) and Lars (Lee Evans) are hilarious!

I enjoyed “Mousehunt,” but it was hard to sit through at times because I love animals so much that it made me a little nervous. It is funny and also has some adult humor. The sets are amazing! They look as if they were torn apart, flooded and even bombed in one case! The writers do a fantastic job with the comedic timing. It kept me laughing the whole time!  

I love Caesar (Christopher Walken) because he is very serious and so funny at the same time. He is the exterminator who Ernie and Lars hire to kill the mouse. He comes into the house telling the brothers that this will be super easy. He is no ordinary exterminator, because to find out about the mouse he eats and smells the poop! This mouse even out-smarts Caesar. The character Caeser really pulls this film together. I love Christopher Walken from other films such as “Hairspray” and “Click.”

My favorite scene is when Lars is in the string factory. He is trying to work the factory by himself because all the workers are on strike. It’s really fun to watch because every piece of his clothing gets caught. He struggles to free himself, with no success. It only gets much worse! To find out more about this great scene you should watch the movie.

I recommend “Mousehunt” for ages 8-12. It is a hilarious and heartwarming story.  I give “Mousehunt” 4 out of 5 stars, so please go check it out!

Ice Age
Reviewed by Brianna Hope B., age 13
See Brianna's full video review here 

This 2002 animated film is very appealing and funny to watch. Manfred (Ray Romano) is the Protagonist, Sid (John Leguizamo) is the Sloth and Diego (Denis Leary) is the Saber-Tooth Tiger. They are given a baby human by its mother to take care of it. The three set out to find the human tribe so that the rightful owners of it can teach it their ways, but Diego has to bring the baby to his herd master so they can kill it for revenge. Will Diego bring it to his herd so that they can kill it or well he help his friends take the baby back to its tribe?  

“Ice Age” is a great film. I really like it. I remember watching this film awhile back and I still like it. The script is well written by Michael J. Wilson and flows smoothly. The colors are vibrant throughout the film. The background music really enhances the specific mood of the scenes and makes it more enjoyable. My favorite character is Sid because he is extremely funny and never hesitates to speak his mind. My favorite scene is in the very beginning when Scrat (Chris Wedge-voice) desperately tries to find a place to hide his acorn from the cold harsh wind. On one of his tries he pushes it too far into the ice and cracks the ground, then a huge wall of ice comes down and almost kills him. 

This film keeps me laughing and also produces many lessons to teach kids. One lesson is that you should help people and animals as much as you can, because it can result in a good ending.

“Ice Age” is rated PG with Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha directing it. It also stars the voice talents of the hilarious Cedric the Entertainer (Carl), Goran Visnjic (Soto) and Jack Black (Zeke.)I recommend “Ice Age” for ages 6 to 13. The genre of this film is adventure and comedy.

I give this film 4½ out of 5 stars. It is great for kids, is very entertaining and has a great climax.