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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2-Kids’ Movie Reviews

The group of misfit Guardians are back. Peter Quill (aka Star Lord) with his “Awesome Mix Tape Vol 2”, Gamora, the green warrior, Drax, the blue muscleman, Groot, the little tree-like creature, and Rocket, the cute raccoon. In this film the Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race to protect their expensive batteries from invaders. However, things get complicated when it’s discovered that Rocket has stolen the precious items, and so the aliens want to seek revenge. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is an action packed science fiction film for tweens and up.

Rating: 3. 5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 22, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

As in the first film the characters are fun and entertaining. The soundtrack is great as well.
In addition to all the violence there are messages stressing importance of helping others, family and friends.

Sexual Content: Mild

It’s noted that Peter has been with several woman throughout the galaxy.
There is sexual chemistry between Peter and Gamora. A woman states that Peter has sexual feelings for Gamora.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are fist fights and laser fights. Characters are hit, pounded to the ground, and skewered with arrows.
There are massive explosions and numerous characters die.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

Groot is shown drinking alcoholic beverages..

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “d–n,” “h–,” and “d–k.”

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed four teenage boys who loved the film. Their favorite character was Groot.

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film for tweens and up. Parents need to be aware of the science fiction action and violence throughout the film.

The Circle-Kids’ Movie Review

“Sharing is caring.” That is the motto of the successful tech company called The Circle. The Circle has some strange rules. They have social mangers who not only keep track of its employees at work, but also outside of work. They want their employees to be “community-minded.” Things get really creepy when the new employee Mae Holland (Emma Watson) agrees to be apart of the companies latest tech experiment. She commits to have a transparent life which involves constantly wearing a camera; everything she does and says is streamed live. This cult-like company has an impact on Mae and eventually changes her life forever. The Circle is a science fiction film, based on the 2013 best selling novel, The Circle.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 1, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film will spark some great parent/child conversations. Though the movie is fiction, it’s not far from the truth. With social media today many people feel as though their life is transparent.

Sexual Content: Mild

We briefly see a married couple making love. There is no nudity.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Mae nearly drowns while kayaking.
A man accidentally drives a vehicle off a bridge. We later hear that the man died.
We hear about a woman who killed her three children by locking them in a closet, letting them starve to death.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

The f-word is said once. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” and “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a thought provoking, somewhat creepy, film that teens will find interesting.

The Fate Of The Furious-Kids’ Movie Review

Life is good for the fast and furious team. Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) are finally married and enjoying their honeymoon in Cuba, and the rest of the crew are living a relaxing and somewhat normal life. However things get complicated when Dom is approached by a cyberterrorist woman named Cipher (Charlize Theron). Cipher forces Dom to betray his wife and friends. Now the gang must unite once again to save their beloved friend and family. The Fate of the Furious is the eighth film in the Fast and Furious series.

Rating: 3 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: July 11, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

The opening scene shows beautiful women wearing revealing attire. The camera zooms in on their bodies.
We see a couple in bed together kissing.
The female villain passionately kisses a man in front of his wife.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There is action and adventure throughout the film, just like the previous seven movies.
There are car crashes, destruction and explosions.
Character’s break out of prison; they fight and kill other prisoners.
The villain threatens to hold the world hostage using nuclear weapons.
We see gun fights and brutal fist fights.
Cipher orders a woman to be executed while she holds her baby.
We see arms, legs and necks snapped.
Numerous characters die and we see blood splattered on the wall.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

We hear the f-word once. We also hear “h—,” “a–,” “b–ch,” “b-tard” and “d–n.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed three teenage boys that loved it. They liked the action, similar to the other films.

Overall this is an action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout film.

Power Rangers-Kids’ Movie Review

At times teenagers have a lot of stress in their lives with relationships, school, sports and peer pressure. Though it’s nothing compared to the pressure that the five teens from a small town of Angel Grove have. These teens are ordinary high school students dealing with day to day life. However, things get really difficult for the teens when the world is threatened by an alien attack led by villain Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks). Now these five ordinary teenagers are chosen to band together as the Power Rangers, and are sent on a dangerous mission to save the world. Power Rangers is based on the popular ’90s TV show.

Rating: 3 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 27, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film highlights the importance of teamwork.
Power Rangers might appeal to young elementary-aged kids, though its more appropriate for middle-school aged kids and up.
This film has more violence, language and mature themes unlike the TV show.

Sexual Content: Moderate

A female character strips down to her underwear and jumps off a cliff.
One of the female Power Rangers discusses with a friend that she might be gay.
The female villain shows up in Trini’s (a female Power Ranger) bedroom and seductively strokes her face and neck.
There’s talk of masturbation.
There are references that someone digitally shared a student’s inappropriate photo.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

Characters are attacked, buildings are destroyed and blown up.
Rita, the villain, drowns someone.
Rita gathers the gold teeth that she’s removed from several victims’ mouths.
The teen Power Rangers have scary visions
where they see a street full of people all incinerated and turned into ash.
Several characters are hit and killed by an asteroid.
A train hits a van full of people; we see the van tumbling.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “a–, “h—, and “b–ch.” A character starts to say, “m—–f—,” but then stops himself.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

The Rangers spend the night around a campfire, and it looks as though they’re drinking beer.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film. Having said that parents need to be aware of the violence and sexual content.

Beauty and the Beast-Kids’ Movie Review

Belle (Emma Watson) is a smart and beautiful young woman who lives alone with her widower father. Belle doesn’t have many friends and is not very close with the townspeople. They find her very odd because she loves to read books, something they don’t appreciate. Belle’s life dramatically changes when she is taken prisoner in a castle by a beast (Dan Stevens). Belle doesn’t know it, but the Beast is a cursed, arrogant prince who must find true love in order to break a spell. Though the Beast has a hideous exterior, Belle befriends the monster-like character and the castle’s enchanted staff. She eventually realizes that the Beast is a kind soul whom she falls in love with. Beauty and the Beast is Disney’s live-action remake of the classic 1991 animated musical.

Rating: 4.5 popcorn buckets out of 5
Release Date: June 6, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film highlights the importance of humility.
Belle is a loving daughter who is willing to do whatever it takes to insure her father’s well being.

Sexual Content: Mild

Character’s flirt with the opposite sex and the same sex.
LeFou briefly dances with a man. He’s confused as he’s trying to figure out his sexual preference.
Female characters wear dresses that show their cleavage.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There are intense and scary scenes throughout the film. More graphic violence in this version than in the animated version.
Vicious wolves attack several characters.
There’s a battle between the townspeople and servants in the castle.
We see mob violence with pitchforks and torches.
There’s an intense battle between the Beast and an attacker. They fight with fists, claws and guns.
The Beast may scare young kids with his growl and loud roar.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

Name calling such as; “idiot,” and “fool.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking at a local tavern.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

The theater was filled with attentive kids who loved the movie.

Overall this is a wonderful film for the whole family. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the moderate violence that may scare sensitive kids.