Check out some of the best family movies of 2010 this summer and put a smile on your kids’ faces without spending a fortune. From some of the best new animated movies to action flicks, feel-good movies, and talking CGI animals, the family movies of the summer of 2010 offer something for every family looking to beat the heat from the comfort of a theater seat:
Shrek Forever After – One of the best summer family movies of 2010 will be the last in this animated series, as kids sadly bid farewell to their favorite ogre from Far Far Away. To send Shrek off with a bang, his fairytale gets a little more fractured, as the ogre accidentally makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to send him to a bizarro version of Far Far Away where donkey is scared to death of him; he’s hunted by witches; Puss in Boots’ fit feline physique is covered with layers of fat; Rumpelstiltskin is king; and, worst of all, Fiona is no longer in love with him (and she’s now the leader of a group of rouge ogres fighting against oppression). It may be bittersweet to see the end of some of our favorite family films, but be sure to take the kids to give Shrek the proper larger-than-life sendoff when one of the best animated movies of 2010 hits theaters on May 21st.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – This is one of the best movies of the summer for parents with older kids, a live-action fantasy flick that looks like ‘Aladdin’ brought to life. It could be one of the best movies based on a video game ever made, and perhaps an adequate replacement for a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie, since there’s not one on the horizon this summer. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a Prince protecting an ancient dagger capable of unleashing the Sands of Time, a force that would give their controller the power to rule the world. Add Gemma Aterton as a beautiful and mysterious princess, and you’ve got one of the upcoming family movies of the summer that’s sure to be a blockbuster. So enjoy the sand and sun while having some family fun on May 28, 2010.
Marmaduke – There are a few family-friendly movies about talking animals hitting theaters this summer, and it’s a genre that’s definitely hard to turn into a movie that will not be mocked. So will Marmaduke succeed in stealing our hearts with his mega-bark? The colossal (and colossally clumsy) comic strip pooch will do his best, aided by the voice of Owen Wilson. The story follows Marmaduke as he moves from Kansas to California, becoming a part of the Mutts v. Pedigrees turf wars and trying to woo the dog of his dreams. However, his big size and larger-than-life personality can often get him into trouble, so he’s got to do the whole redemption thing with his family and new friends. It may not be the best of the summer family movies on this list, but I bet kids will love the doggie dance sequence. So be prepared for plenty of pooch power on June 4, 2010, and get ready for your kids begging you for a pet Great Dane.
The Karate Kid – Okay, so in this remake of the classic, Will Smith’s son actually learns Kung Fu (why not call the movie ‘Kung Fu Kid’?), and he moves from Detroit to China, where he learns the martial art form to beat his new bullies. Of course there’s a girl and Jackie Chan plays the maintenance man who is a secret kung fu master, but can he save the new kid from disaster? This isn’t one of the family movies of the summer that I’m most looking forward to, but hopefully Jackie Chan teaches Jaden Smith some helpful moves when it hits theaters on June 11, 2010.
Toy Story 3 – This is definitely one of the must-see summer family movies of 2010, as well as one of the most anticipated (and Academy Award-worthy?) animated movies of the year. Woody and Buzz must once again find a way to save the day, as young adult Andy gets ready for college and they accidentally wind up in a daycare center. This, of course, creates an opportunity to introduce the audience to a variety of fun new toys, including a fabulous Ken doll who meets his soul mate and a female dinosaur. So will Buzz, Woody, and the gang be able to find their way home this time? It will be difficult, as they’ve got to contend with toys that may not be all that they seem, as well as their worst enemies yet: a hoard of terrifying toddlers. Be sure not to miss one of the biggest animated family movies of the summer in theaters on June 18, 2010, because it will be best watched on the big screen in 3D.
The Last Airbender – This is one of the summer family movies of 2010 that already has a big built-in fanbase of fankids, thanks to the animated series, but grownups should be able to pick up on what’s going on here pretty easily as well. The movie is set in a world divided by the elements earth, wind, fire, and water. The powerful fire nation has waged a war against all the others, and it’s up to “the last airbender”, the only boy that can control all the elements, to stop them. Can a series of movies like this one fill the void soon to be left by the Harry Potter series? And can M. Night Shyamalan direct a kids’ movie without a “what a twist” ending? Check out what looks like one of the most epic family movies of the summer of 2010 on July 2, 2010 to find out, and beat the summer heat in a cool theater while watching some fiery action onscreen.
Despicable Me – This seems like one of the most original animated family movies of the summer, a fun film that focuses on a guy that’s the ultimate goon, because he has a devious plan to steal the moon. However, three little orphaned girls don’t see the inventor as a man gone mad; they view him as a potential dad. So can their own devious plan to procure a father save the moon from destruction? Watch one of the wackiest animated summer movies with your family on July 9, 2010 to find out, and enjoy listening to Steve Carell’s soothing tones voicing the moon marauder.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Can Walt Disney turn a little segment of musical movie ‘Fantasia’ into one of this summer’s biggest family-friendly blockbusters? I’m guessing Disney is banking on this new wizarding world to draw in Harry Potter fans, as this fantasy film will feature a somewhat similar storyline involving sorcery. Nicholas Cage plays a master sorcerer living in modern-day Manhattan who recruits an average guy to teach the methods of magic to. However, unlike Harry Potter, Jay Baruchel’s wizard is a little reluctant to get involved in the impending battle of good magic vs. dark magic. Will there be walking broomsticks? It would be a fun shoutout to the animated short starring Mickey, but dads will likely enjoy the movie for another reason: Monica Bellucci as a sexy sorceress. There’s a little something for the whole family in one of the most magical summer movies of 2010, so don’t miss this one on July 16th.
Ramona and Beezus – Beverly Clearly’s iconic character from Klickitat Street finally gets her own film, and a fun new way for readers to experience Ramona’s overactive imagination. The adorable Joey King stars as the girl growing up with her insufferable older sis Beezus (Selena Gomez), who is just part of the many problems the accident-prone grade schooler has to face. It looks like one of the more unique family movies of the summer, and the sequences that involve Ramona’s imagination springing to life should be fun to see after so many of us had to imagine them ourselves so many years ago. If you grew up with Beverly Clearly and your kids now enjoy her books, then this is one of the best family movies of the summer you can bond together over on July 23, 2010.
Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore – What can I say? I doubt this will be one of the best movies of the summer you’ll see, but at least it’s family (and pet) friendly. Here cats and dogs have to team up to stop one power-hungry feline from turning the world into her personal litterbox. So will this yarn full of yips and yowls delight audiences just as much as a ball of yarn would delight our feline friends? It’s hard to say, but seeing man’s best friend with the ability to talk (and do battle with feisty felines) is usually a big kid-pleaser, so don’t miss this one on July 30, 2010.
So from talking animals to princes, apprentices, and animated ogres, don’t miss the wide variety of family-friendly movies making their way onto the silver screen this summer.
SOURCES: http://www.themovieinsider.com/included/ads/ad160_ros.html
