Fun Family Flicks for Summer 2013

For those of you with young kids, you know how hard it is to go to the movies. Those little rug rats talk loudly, go to the bathroom several times in an hour, climb all over you and even run up and down the isles. It’s not even worth trying.

But we’re celebrating here! We have officially left movie purgatory. Our youngest is 4.5 years old. And while he still has ants in his pants, he manages to make it through a movie. Although we’re stuck with cartoon-only flicks, I’ll take it. And this summer promises to deliver for us movie-lovers. I’m actually excited about what’s coming out and wanted to give you a rundown of some of the better family flicks for younger kids.

Epic

Description: From the creators of ICE AGE and RIO, EPIC tells the story of an ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil, who wish to destroy it. When a teenage girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures, to save their world…and ours. — (C) Fox

Jenny Says: What a better way to kick off the summer than a fantastical adventure. Good vs. evil while defending the forest. And the very idea that a human being gets to shrink to join the hidden band of Leafmen, who protect the forest, makes this movie sound like a terrific family flick.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Nwdpa5PcU?rel=0]

Monsters University

Description: To be released June 21, 2013. Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends. — (C) Walt Disney

Jenny Says: My husband and I watched Monsters Inc. well before we had kids. Since then, Mike Wazowski and Sully have been favorites in our house. If Walt Disney delivers the same ridiculous situations along with heart, Monsters University is sure to be a hit.

Check out Monsters Inc. HERE.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODePHkWSg-U?rel=0]

Despicable Me 2

Description: To be released July 3, 2013. Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment‘s worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2. (c) Universal

Jenny Says: Three little girls melted the heart of evil Gru in Despicable Me. Along with the hijinks of the ever adorable minions, Despicable Me has kept my boys laughing for years. Add along a soundtrack we still play in the car and Despicable Me has been a fam fave. Now Gru is back, this time helping the good guys fight evil. The trailer, which features music from Eminem,  gives us a hint of an awesome soundtrack. Bring on the antics ’cause we’re ready!

Check out the original Despicable Me HERE and the first soundtrack HERE.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Fi3E-8PmA?rel=0]

Turbo

Description: To be released July 17, 2013. A garden snail dreams of becoming the fastest snail in the world.

Jenny Says: Dreamworks has produced so many family friends films it’s hard to count. I’m betting Turbo is going to be yet another notch in their belt. From the previews, this movie looks like it may be a bit on the silly side, but we’ll be there… with our bucket-full of popcorn.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9Q3c98IMZg?rel=0]

The Smurfs 2

Description: To be released July 31, 2013. The Smurfs are back with this follow-up to the blockbuster smash hit from 2011. J. David Stem and David Weiss provide the script, from a story they wrote with Jay Scherick and David Ronn. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Jenny Says: We skipped the first Smurfs movie. I just couldn’t do it. Only 23% of movie-goers gave it a positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. (Click HERE to read the reviews.) I think we’ll just stay home and watch a rental. Well, unless we’re so desperate to get out of the house, but don’t count on it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQbSGLaVJ5c?rel=0]

Planes

Description: To be released August 9, 2013. Cars gets a spin-off with this Disney Toon Studios film starring the voice of Dane Cook as a vertically-challenged plane with high hopes of becoming an air racer. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Jenny Says: I practically jumped out of my seat with excitement after seeing the trailer for Planes in the theater. The original Cars we so wonderful. I still crack up at the lines in the film, which my boys insist on watching at least once a month if not more. Pixar slumped on quality with Cars 2. I’m keeping my fingers crossed they create new magic and fresh characters with Planes.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRjztG65XgI?rel=0]