Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy

Name: Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy
Item: Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy
Rating: 4
Author: Renee Schonfeld

Movie review by

Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media

Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy Movie Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 3+

(i)

Angelina vies for a talent trophy in gentle, engaging story.

NR
2011
53 minutes

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Educational Value

For even the youngest kids, this movie introduces and clearly illustrates multiple musical and dance terms: celeste, soft-shoe, improv, ice skating, flamenco, gymnastics, hip-hop, kick-line, folk, and many more. Additionally, the concepts of "contest," "judging," and "practicing" are shown and explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

Positive Messages

"It isn't just about winning; it's about expressing yourself," initiates preparation for the Shining Star contest. As the young, artistic mice explore their talents and possibilities, they learn the value of practicing, the importance of helping others do their best, and how to break down a difficult task into segments, "one step at a time." Finally, the mice find out that patience is required for a challenging task and that "making it look easy is not as easy as it looks."

Positive Role Models & Representations

Angelina's friends and schoolmates are culturally diverse: different accents and dialects, drawn in an array of soft colors: pink, gray, brown, etc. Teachers and parents are portrayed as supportive, understanding, and reliable.

Violence & Scariness

Sexy Stuff

Language

Consumerism

Other Angelina films and corporate products (Thomas the Train, Barney) are advertised in the trailers that precede the movie and on a sheet that comes with the DVD.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this story about Angelina, the little mouse ballerina, and her friends (including a number of talented boy mice) contains nothing objectionable and lots of positive messages. There are no villains, and there's nothing scary or dark; it's upbeat and fun and includes a number of clearly expressed messages about perseverance and practice. Boys as well as girls should find this celebration of talent (music and dance), friendship, and good work habits entertaining and informative.

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What's the story?

Angelina and her friends are excited. There's a talent show coming to Camembert Academy, and the winner will be proclaimed a Shining Star! Everyone wants to put his or her best mouse foot forward, and Angelina is just the friend to help them decide what will make each of them "shine." As the time for the contest gets closer and closer, Angelina is so busy helping the others and taking care of little sister, Polly, that she barely has time to practice her own ballet routine. Will Angelina's generous nature hurt her chances, or will she find out that there are lots of ways to be a shining star?

Is it any good?

This charming Angelina Ballerina entry will entertain both girls and boys, even the very youngest kids. Musical numbers from flamenco to hip-hop, soft-shoe to kick lines are defined and performed with gusto by an array of talented mice (male and female), all trying to develop their own special talents.

The good-natured and helpful Angelina discovers exactly what it takes to put on a really good show, and, in the process, a young audience gets a delightfully informative peek at the wider worlds of music and dance.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how all of Angelina's schoolmates chose something they loved doing for the talent contest. What do you love doing? What makes you feel special?
In what ways did Angelina help her friends? How are you helpful to your friends? To your family?
What does Ms. Mimi mean when she says, "It's not just about winning, it's about expressing yourself"?