Family Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Family

Black dragon-like creature with horns and green eyes resting on sandy ground.
Review

How To Train Your Dragon review – never quite catches the updraft needed to soar to uncharted heights

by Yasmine Kandil

Dream­works’ first for­ay into the world of live-action remakes is fair­ly unre­mark­able despite occa­sion­al sparks of magic.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A young girl with blonde plaits wearing a yellow jacket holds a blue-eyed furry creature against a rocky backdrop.
Review

The Legend of Ochi review – well-crafted but tame family adventure

by Isaac Feldberg

A shy young girl embarks on a mis­sion to save a mys­ti­cal crea­ture in Isa­iah Sax­on’s throw­back to the days of Amblin greatness.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Teddy bear in red hat and blue jacket against mountainous backdrop.
Review

Paddington in Peru review – a very well-executed threequel

by David Jenkins

It’s three for three in the beloved bear fran­chise, as our mar­malade-scoff­ing scamp heads off for an adven­ture in his South Amer­i­can homeland.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Colourful characters in red coats and hats, umbrella signs, theatrical set
Review

Wonka review – Timothée Chalamet is simply sensational

by Adam Woodward

Gath­er round and lis­ten close… Paul King’s daz­zling pre­quel to Roald Dahl’s beloved sto­ry is a joy­ous expres­sion of pure imagination.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Bright yellow boombox with cartoon troll character, multicolour hair and features.
Review

Trolls Band Together – NSYNC fandom rise up!

by David Jenkins

The very-belat­ed ref­or­ma­tion of US boy­band NSYNC is the cen­tral hook for this day-glo sec­ond sequel to the sur­pris­ing­ly beloved Trolls franchise.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Four individuals wearing robes and headpieces in a dimly lit room with a decorative curtain and framed artwork.
Review

Haunted Mansion review – feels more like a product than a story

by Leila Latif

Justin Simien attempts to breathe life into Dis­ney’s lat­est ride-based fran­chise starter, but despite a fine cast the results are a lit­tle scattered.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Cartoon characters, smiling fairy with golden wings and a purple creature with long purple hair.
Review

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

by David Jenkins

Charm­ing, if slight Dream­works ani­mat­ed fea­ture in which a krak­en hides in plain sight as a gawky teen high-school­er in the run-up to prom.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Rugged coastline with palm trees; woman with long red hair reclining on beach, wearing mermaid-like attire.
Review

The Little Mermaid

by Leila Latif

Halle Bailey’s charms can’t dis­tract from all the bizarre choic­es at the heart of this under­whelm­ing live-action remake.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A smiling man embracing two women, one with short wavy hair and the other with long dark hair, in a cosy indoor setting.
Review

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

by Weiting Liu

Kel­ly Fre­mon Craig’s take on Judy Bloom’s icon­ic pre­teen nov­el is a sweet tale of a young girl fig­ur­ing out reli­gion, boys and puberty.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Animated characters in bright, fantastical setting with vibrant colours and unusual shapes.
Review

Strange World

by David Jenkins

This retro-inspired Dis­ney adven­ture yarn boasts lots of great, pro­gres­sive ideas, but lacks in the imag­i­na­tion department.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Three women in Renaissance-style dresses, one in a dark gown with intricate patterns, another in a pink dress, and the third in an orange gown. They are surrounded by a crowd of people in a grand hall.
Review

Disenchanted

by Ella Kemp

Any­one with fond mem­o­ries of the 2007 meta-fairy­tale banger, Enchant­ed, star­ring Amy Adams, is in for a sur­prise and a treat.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A large, green alligator sitting on a snowy surface, with a window and buildings visible in the background.
Review

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

by David Jenkins

An ani­mat­ed croc­o­dile with the voice of an angel spreads New York cheer in this breezy and high­ly like­able fam­i­ly diversion.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect