Films/Videos/DVDs: The Current Children's Crop.

Since children come to school with substantial media experiences gained by hundreds of hours of exposure to TV, videos, and commercial films, educators must factor such daily experiences into their understanding of these developing students. Film and television producers have been paying close attention to preschool and school-age groups as an important commercial market. Many American homes have become virtual private movie theaters, complete with TVs, VCRs, and DVD equipment. Consequently, filmmakers are producing more films specifically for family viewing, as their extended home use places their commercial value in the millions of dollars.

What children see by being media viewers has important effects on their daily experiences, including their ability to be students. The films reviewed here have had enormous theater audiences and will continue to attract heavy viewing through home videos. We have suggested classroom extensions to enhance children's home media viewing experiences. Future columns will focus on films and videos made for educators.

Stuart Little

DreamWorks Productions, film released 1999, video released 2000, 92 minutes, family category.

This contemporary fairy tale has been transformed from an impeccably written book to film via state-of-the-art technologies of animation, digital recording, and live performance. In this transformation, although still very much a fairy tale, a TV-like sitcom adventure prevails. As with fairy tales, however, the need for the audience to believe the unbelievable is central.

The first few minutes of the film focus on typical family characters--mom, dad, young child--engaged in everyday activities. Suddenly, the story shifts to an orphanage and a little white mouse dressed in clothes. A small stepbrother? Either one believes or one does not. This is a fairy tale with all the trappings of a classic: the little hero (here there are two, a mouse and a boy), the good mother, the bad mother, predators (cats), an extended family, an orphan, danger, lies, rescue, fear, comfort, truth, and victory. The centrality of the family is strong, as George, the Little's son, works his way from disappointment and anger to brotherhood, and as Stuart meets each challenge on his way to becoming a "real Little." Although E. B. White's original story line is not closely followed, the magic remains.

The film makes it both easier and more difficult to believe in pumpkins turning into coaches and mice becoming real-life siblings. Through its use of popular actors' voices, mood-provoking music, and current jargon, the film has a very modern quality. Even so, it retains a sense of wonder, making it possible for the child/viewer to accept or reject the fairy tale. Such activity is a welcome and wonderful challenge to the developing imagination, even in a technologically controlled culture. We enthusiastically recommend this movie for family viewing.

Extensions: Encourage reading of the original book for children 8 and older. Have read alouds and dramatizations of open-ended skits that focus on understanding characters' actions and feelings. Discuss what problems would arise from being a different size, species, or shape, and how such problems could be solved.

Chicken Run

Aardman Animations, film released 2000, 83 minutes, family category

This exceedingly well-done "claymation" film relates the adventures of imprisoned farmyard chickens. The story line is simple: a group of chickens confined on a mass production egg farm strive for autonomy and the exercise of their free will. Led by Ginger, a strong-minded leader and creative problem solver, the chickens attempt numerous escape plans, all of which fail and lead to Ginger being placed in solitary confinement. When a high-flying rooster, Rocky, crashes into the coop, however, Ginger finds hope in the possibility of being able to fly away from the farm. Spurred on by the knowledge that the farm owner plans to put all of the chickens into a pie-making machine, Ginger recruits Rocky as a flight instructor. Despite an arduous aerobic and basic flight instruction program, the chickens still are unable to fly. Rocky is revealed as an impostor--a circus performer. Ginger refuses to give up, however, and the chickens resourcefully build an airplane and fly to freedom (with a little help from Rocky).

This is a wonderful film for family viewing, as it could spark discussions about problem solving, perseverance, and teamwork. While one chicken is slaughtered, graphic details are not shown. Overall, Chicken Run is an impressive feat of animation. The claymation technique required a two-year time frame for the film's production--a definite task of teamwork and perseverance.

Extension: This film is an excellent catalyst for discussions on hard work, teamwork, and perseverance. Problem-solving techniques can be developed and analyzed with all age groups. Discussions about the quest for independence and freedom are appropriate for middle school social studies curriculum. Clay work and photography also can be part of ancillary activities.

Dinosaur

Disney Film Productions, film released 2000, 82 minutes, family category

This film is Disney's latest contribution to the dinosaur craze. In the story, set over 65 million years ago, an iguanodon hatchling named Aladar is separated from his family. A family of lemurs encounters Aladar and adopts him as their son and raise him in a moral and harmonious community. All is well in their habitat until a meteor shower forces them to find a safe nesting ground. Along the way, the family encounters a herd of dinosaurs also seeking safety.

The large group of refugees suffers from water and food shortages. The younger dinosaurs have little empathy for the older dinosaurs, who have difficulty keeping the pace. Ultimately, conflict arises between the young, strong leaders of the herd and Aladar, who shows empathy by supporting two senior dinosaurs. In addition, the group is threatened by two vicious carnotaurs, who prey on the weaker members. After a long, treacherous journey, they do eventually find the safe nesting ground.

The best feature of the film is the life-like computer imaging and graphics. The opening meteor shower is magnificent and the fight scenes intense. The film portrays scenes of death and starvation, often resulting in mauled and mangled carcasses. Thus, we do not recommend this film for children under 10.

Extension: The film could be integrated into the middle school curricular areas of social studies and science. Children can research the varied species displayed in the film, for example. They also could discuss issues related to empathy and caring, and society's responsibility in caring for both its youngest and oldest citizens.

Iron Giant

Warner Brothers Productions, film released 1999, video released 2000, running time 87 minutes, family category

This full-length, animated film is based on the book The Iron Man, by Ted Hughes. The setting is 1957, when Sputnik, the Cold War, and the threat of atomic warfare were daily concerns to most Americans. Hogarth Hughes is a lively and inventive 10-year-old whose mother often must work late hours. In her absence, Hogarth spends much of his time alone watching television and exploring the outdoors, where he picks up stray animals.

One day, a spaceship plunges into the ocean off the Maine Coast. Hogarth's television viewing is interrupted by poor reception, and so he goes out into the woods with his gun to investigate. He discovers a 100-foot Iron Giant entangled in the local steel power plant terminals. Hogarth frees him and they become friends; Hogarth even teaches Iron Giant to speak and read.

FBI agents are looking for the missing giant, however, so Hogarth resourcefully takes the giant to the scrap yard of a sympathetic scrap dealer/sculptor. There, Iron Giant can eat all the metal he needs and remain inconspicuous. Through a subplot concerning the shooting of a deer, Hogarth helps the Giant to understand the meaning of human feelings. Meanwhile, the FBI and military are escalating their search, acting out of fears set off by rumor and misinformation. The film ends with a heroic sacrificial act by the Giant as he saves the town and Hogarth from nuclear carnage. The film is best suited for middle schoolers, considering a few scenes involving violence, sexual innuendo, and bathroom humor.

Extensions: Social studies curriculum possibilities related to the Cold War and the space race are many. Social issues related to guns, threats of violence, enemies, and defensive and offensive actions can be explored and played out through discussion, writing, and debate. Implications of man-made life forms can be pursued in science project activities.

Postscript: Twenty-five years ago Monroe Cohen initiated the film review column in Childhood Education, with the second author as columnist. It was a wonderful experience and I am grateful to Anne Bauer, the Publications Committee, and my colleague Nancy for the opportunity of this return engagement. We both hope that our readers will supply us with recommendations and specific requests for future teacher/ educator films, videos, and DVD reviews.

--M.P.W.