Brum: Soccer Hero and Other Stories

 Review

Common Sense Media says

When you need a break from Elmo and Barney.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Brum is really more of a good citizen than he is a crime fighter. While he does take on pickpockets and thieves here, nearly half of the episodes have no real "bad guy." In one, he returns a cell phone taken by a naughty dog, for example (and returns the dog, as well).


What's the story?

BRUM: SOCCER HERO AND OTHER STORIES feature seven live-action episodes about Brum (named for the sound cars make), a cute little car who gives the good people of Big Town a hand. Brum scores the winning goal against a cheating soccer team, stops a runaway rickshaw -- and even captures a pair of pickpockets. Created by Ragdoll Ltd., who created Teletubbies, Brum doesn't talk -- children narrate some to clarify the storyline and encourage Brum -- but he does emote with his cute headlight eyes, and he speeds up to chase criminals, gives a ride to a mischievous dog, and honks to alert a police officer of a van of stolen loot.


Is it any good?

 

Your kids may not connect with this heroic car instantly (the way they do with a little red furry monster, for example), and there is a decisively British flavor to these (in one episode, Brum helps Mr. Brillo recover his prize garden gnome). But the theme song played at the end of each installment is quite catchy, and the exaggerated acting and constant gags are sure to elicit some giggles (a fan blows off a man's wig in one episode, revealing his bald head, while in another a teen thug gets his head stuck in a bucket).

Each segment is short (about 10 minutes, over two of which is intro and outro). Adults won't likely find anything objectionable here, except perhaps for one homeless man who's sort of played for laughs. You'll probably consider this pretty hokey fare. But if you're looking to give your kids -- and yourself -- a break from Elmo and Barney, give this title a test drive.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what civic duty means. Why is it important for us to help our neighbors? What are some simple ways we can help out in our community?


This review was written by Kate Pavao
Kid, 12 years old
January 22, 2010
 
5 -6 i give it
ok

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This review was written by Kate Pavao
Topics:cars and trucks, sports and martial arts
Studio:Koch Vision
Director:Nigel P. Harris
Cast:Guy Harvey, Kevin McGreevy
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:70 minutes
Theatrical release date:September 7, 2004
DVD release date:September 7, 2004
MPAA rating:NR

This review was written by Kate Pavao
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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