Slugterra: Return of the Elementals

Most kids interested in this silly movie will understand what's going on, even if parents can't tell one slug from another. If an underground world where super slugs can control human minds, the weather, and more sounds completely unfamiliar, you've probably never seen the show Slugterra, so Return of the Elementals may not make much sense (unless you -- like this reviewer -- spend a lot of time on the Slugterra Wiki getting up to speed). Unlike other small-to-big screen adaptations, this feature doesn't provide enough exposition to introduce the characters and their backgrounds.

Super-disciplined Junjie makes a wonderful foil for the more laid back Eli, who -- while just as skilled a slug slinger -- isn't as dedicated (there's a funny scene in which the two spar and Eli has to wake up his slugs, while Junjie's are already in precise formation). Trixie is the Shane Gang's sole girl, but she can hold her own with all the guys and is usually the voice of reason while the guys bicker. While Junjie provides the social tension between the forces of good in the story, the Dark Slinger and Dr. Blakk are the surprisingly scary forces of evil. Their single-minded quest to kill Eli, capture the elementals, and control Slugterra is what forces the Shane Gang to overcome their differences and work as a team, newcomer and all.