TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

Elena G Some of the American Girl movies made in the past were way better than this one! What bothered me the most is that they use 11, 12, and 13 yr old actresses and say in the movie that they are NINE ! Really ??!! That is embarrassing and ridiculous !! Even my 9 yr old noticed that these girls are NOT 9 ! Not to mention that the characters in these newer AG movies are portrayed as super-ultra talented kids that are good at everything! The make-up even make them look more mature that they are in real life !How sad...

vchimpanzee Saige enjoys going outside and painting, as well she should. She lives in a beautiful area of the Southwestern U.S. And her design for a hot-air balloon has been accepted for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.Saige hasn't seen her best friend Tessa all summer. But Tessa has been away at music camp and has a new friend Dylan who she met there, who happens to be in their fourth-grade class. And Tessa and Dylan still want to spend time together, leaving Saige out. There is a new girl Gabi who likes art and lives near Saige's grandmother Mimi.There is more bad news. Due to budget cuts, there will be no art class this year. Music class will be offered instead, though art will be back next year in place of music.It is a tradition for Mimi, a noted artist, to lead the Fiesta's parade riding her horse Picasso. She is also working on a mural. Mimi hears about Saige's situation and says an artist never gives up. She also tries to get Saige to try new techniques, but Saige doesn't like change. Perhaps Saige can find the solution to her problem at school.Then Mimi has an accident and Saige puts all her focus on her grandmother (including taking care of her dog Rembrandt). Mimi tells Saige she should still work on getting art class back.Saige and the other girls start working on a plan to get art class back, which will require raising funds. Dylan's mother is a journalist, which will help. The girls face many obstacles and sometimes it appears they will give up. One problem is that Dylan seems to think everything is all about her. Another is that Saige is afraid to speak in public.Meanwhile. Mimi has her own set of challenges as she tries to recover. And she is not following her own advice. She is giving up too easily and needs someone to push her. One thing she will not do no matter how hard she tries is ride in the parade, but perhaps Saige can.So, will the girls and Mimi overcome their obstacles? Can art class be restored?Everyone learns moral lessons as well as the ability to overcome whatever is in the way. And there is nothing offensive. This movie is for all ages, but mostly for kids.Jane Seymour does a wonderful job here. She still looks as beautiful in some scenes as she did in her "Dr. Quinn" days. In other scenes, but not all of the ones where she should, she looks like a feeble old woman. She does it all very well. And I have to say I sort of understand what Mimi went through, except she was hurt worse than I was last January. More of her physical therapy might have been nice to see. I know I didn't give up the way she did, and at some point we would have seen progress.Omar Paz Trujillo is very good as Luis, who takes care of Picasso.Sidney Fullmer does a good job too.Tessa is too cute most of the time. In some scenes she is more than "Cool!" "BEYOND Beyond!" and "Awesome!" But she should have been more than that.Dylan makes a very good villain, but we do learn there is more to her.I was disappointed during the opening credits when the music I was enjoying ended only to replaced with the garbage that passes for music in the view of today's ten-year-old girls, which are the obvious target audience here. The good news is there is not a lot of that so-called music. Real music is in the background for many scenes--this is the music without words. Even when Tessa and Dylan sing, if it is with a solo guitar or a piano, it does pass for music. The best song (without words) is used for the scene where Saige is painting a white horse (probably Picasso) different colors. When Saige and Gabi look at Mimi's mural, another very good song starts but quickly gets replaced with garbage.Regardless of the style of music, the kids who can sing (Saige can't) are talented. Some of them can dance too. The big show is quite a spectacular effort for fourth-graders.And the art is great too.It's a worthy effort, definitely deserving of the series "American Girl".

cwg2005a I have never seen an "American Girl" film, and in fact have been quite cynical of the obvious marketing goals. Well, this film belies my prior views, as it is worth every second of watching. The writing is for young girls, of course, but I am an adult male who likes "Batman" films, and the writing, quickly-paced direction, and acting (what an extraordinary bunch of little girl actresses!) all combined to bring tears to all our eyes.I don't give it a "10" for one reason: I dislike the constant warm back- lighting; it is reminiscent of those cheesy "wholesome breakfast" ads where people eat surrounded by wheat fields early in the morning. If you get a chance to see this re-run, please do yourself a favor and don't miss it!

kittygirl6 I have always enjoyed the American Girl movies and the values they teach, but this one has been by far the one I have enjoyed the most. It has an easy to follow plot for children and scenes that will keep them interested in the movie while showing them skills they will need to cope with life's issues. One thing that caught my attention was that Saige's grandmother's home there was a fireplace with a fire, but the movie takes place in a warm climate, so I found it a little strange that a fireplace was lit. Jane Seymour's acting was excellent, as always and she really gave the character a warmth that was vital to touching scenes like when she meets Saige at the Fiesta.All in all, I simply loved this movie and I have to say that this is one of my favorite American Girl movies.