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Film Title: The Secret of the Magic Gourd

 Best for ages: 7 and up.

Movie Website: Click Here

Year Released: 2009

Rated: G (US)

SYNOPSIS

   Raymond is young boy who seems to be having it hard with life.  He is not the brightest kid in the class and some of his peers pick on him. His family thinks of him as being somewhat of an outcast and every time he tries to do something it never turns out right. One day while fishing, Raymond discovers a magic gourd in the woods by the lake. The gourd chooses Raymond as it's master and grants Raymond all the wishes he commands, thinks or says. The gourd helps him in school and in life. Anything that Raymond wants he gets, and the gourd makes sure of it. However there are consequences, things the gourd can't do.  When this begins to happen Raymond finds himself getting into trouble at school and at home. He soon learns that life is not about making wishes and getting what you want at that particular moment, but that working hard and doing the right thing will lead to success. 

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VIOLENCE/GRAPHIC CONTENT/language

   There is  really not anything that I can classify as being violent but there is some content that to be concerned about. The films main focus is to show kids that they don't need to do certain things and think bad thoughts in order to get their way about something. the Magic Gourd reads Raymonds thoughts and anything  good or bad he wishes, thinks or says the Gourd will do. So some of the things that Raymond thinks have consequences which include him eating Chinese chess pieces, cheating on a test, taking all the toys from a toy store, burning his hand on the gourd which lights itself on fire when Ray says he's going to eat him.  These are just a few little things that are in the film that are there to show kids that they don't need magic to make them look better in front of their peers but rather that being yourself is what is important. So why the movie is one about a life lesson, there is a few things to be concerned about with the content of the film.  Raymond also lies and tricks his family and friends, as well as gets angry a lot with not just the Gourd but with other people.

OVERALL VIEWS

   The Secret of the Magic Gourd is a actually a Chinese remake of the 1963 story of the same name. It's actually based on a very well received Chinese fairly tale, and is actually Disney's first film done in Chinese.  The movie was a modest hit in China, and is available on DVD here in the United States with the English language dubbed over the Chinese dialogue. The movie features the voice talent of High School Musical star Corbin Bleu as the gourd. Its a cute little film that has some pretty decent animation, that reminded me a lot of toy story is some of the scenes. There are some great fantasy effects in the film as well as your basic Disney magic that all Disney films give off. But the most important thing about this movie is that it has a good message. That message being that if you try your best and work hard you can make all of your dreams come true.

   The DVD has a ton of special features such as a Blooper reel, Backstage Disney: A featurette that takes you behind the scenes to see how the film was made. A games and activities feature where you can help Raymond ship the toys back to the toy store before his father comes home, as well as a musci video for the song "World of Wonder".

   The Secret of the Magic Gourd is a cute little fantasy film that is fun for the whole family. I don't think that it's a movie for younger children, but I think kids over the age of six or seven will enjoy it and hopefully they can walk away with the great message the film has. No body does it better than Disney whe nit comes to making classic movies with positive messages.

BUY THIS MOVIE.