Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautiful visuals, charming characters, heavy commercialism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lego Elves: Secrets of Elvendale
What's the Story?
Emily Jones (Ashleigh Ball) stumbled into Elvendale, the magical land of the LEGO ELVES, once before. That's when she learned her destiny. Her grandmother was one of five elves with elemental powers. There's Aira (Ashleigh Ball), with the power to control air; Azari (Erin Mathews), with the power of fire; Farran (Kyle Rideout), earth; and Naida (Erin Mathews), water; and then there was the power shared by Emily and her grandmother: love. Emily's fate is to live in the human world, protecting Elvendale from people who might bring them harm. But on a return trip to Elvendale, her younger sister, Sophie (Rebecca Husain), is captured by an evil king. Now Emily must team up with her friends to rescue her sister, and free a captive race of creatures from their oppressive master.
Is It Any Good?
The action is mild and the animation beautiful in this fantasy series linked to a line of Lego toys. The visuals in Lego Elves: Secrets of Elvendale seem custom-made to attract fairies-and-magic-mad young children: flying dragons you can ride on, pink trees, giant gems that grow out of the ground like bushes, enchanted mermaid-filled caverns, cozy tree houses. Human character Emily, meant to be the avatar for viewers (unless they're young enough to sympathize more with her pesky younger sister, Sophie) is granted access into a magical club, with a group of really fun new friends who are totally excited to do things like have a slumber party with a pillow fight -- or raid the Goblin King's secret hold in hopes of banishing him forever.
It's certainly lovely to look at -- the typical blocky Lego style has been abandoned for a rainbow-hued and glitter palette -- and it goes down smoothly enough for young viewers who like mild antics lightened up with lots of jokes and friendly repartee between characters. But even parents who buy Lego toys may want to consider how they feel about this show's marketing tie-in before letting kids watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about imaginary worlds like we see in Lego Elves: Secrets of Elvendale. Why is it fun to think about elves, wizards, and mythical creatures?
How do Emily and the Elves demonstrate courage and teamwork in their quest to protect Elvendale? Why are these important character strengths?
Kids: Did watching this show make you (more) interested in buying the Lego Elves toys? How do you know when something is an ad?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 1, 2017
- Cast : Ashleigh Ball , Kyle Rideout , Erin Mathews
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2020
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