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Action Movie reviews
Star Wars: The Force Awakens-Kids’ Movie Review
As you may know, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set in a galaxy far far away. It’s been thirty years since the defeat of the Galactic Empire and now the galaxy faces a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. However, when a defector named Finn lands on a desert planet and meets a rugged scavenger girl named Rey (Daisy Ridley), things change. Rey’s recently found droid contains a top-secret map, so now Finn and Rey, along with Han Solo (Harrison Ford), work together to defeat the First Order and find Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi.
Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 5, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- The Star Wars: The Force Awakens is not only an action packed adventure movie, it may also spark some great parent/child conversations regarding redemption, faith and family.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Flirting amongst two couples.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- Numerous characters die. There are battles and explosions.
- There are scary creatures who try to eat people.
- X-wings and enemy fighters are blown up and crash into planets below.
- There are deaths and injuries from light sabers.
- Characters are thrown around, fall from extreme heights, and injured from brutal fistfights.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “D-nm,” and “h—l,” are said.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Overall Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a wonderful sci-fi film; one that Star Wars fans will most likely enjoy.
In the Heart of the Sea-Kids’ Movie Review
Tom Nickerson was haunted his whole life by his horrific memory of a whale attack as a 14 year-old boy. In the nineteenth century whaling was a very lucrative business. Hundreds of men in Nantucket, Mass would sign up for a whaling ship to gather the pure whale oil. However, in 1820 the New England whaling ship, the Essex, was attacked by an enormous whale. The surviving crewmen (played by Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy) faced many obstacles as they were stranded in the middle of the ocean. This amazing true story is told in flashback by an elderly Tom Nickerson as he tells his tale to a young Herman Melville and it became the inspiration for Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 8, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- In the Heart of the Sea is an interesting and educational film inspired by a true story, one that teens may be intrigued by. The survivors of the attack demonstrated courage and a strong will to live while enduring unbearable circumstances.
- There are many disturbing and graphic scenes. See violent content below.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see a man carving a woman’s breasts on a whalebone.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- Harpoons are thrown into the the whales. Blood spews from the beasts blowhole covering the water and the sailor’s faces.
- We see a whale continuously butchered and speared to death.We learn that whale oil is found in the sperm whale’s head. We see a sailor cutting a hole in the whale and a crew member crawling into the hole. This was very disturbing.
- {Spoiler Alert} The Essex’s hull is cracked by the white whale. The whale brings down the ship. Men are killed from falling overboard or crushed by the enormous whale.
- The ship’s survivors are stranded in the middle of the ocean. We see character’s starve to death, dead bodies are kept aboard as food. The crewman draw straws to see who will be shot and cannibalized.
- A character points a gun at his head and shoots himself.
- A character is shown with bloody hands as he suffers from a rope burn.
- A character vomits all over another crew members shoes.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “d–n,” “a–,” “h—,” and “b–ch,” throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking wine.
- Tom and Melville drink whiskey as Tom tells Melville his long story.
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Overall In the Heart of the Sea is an interesting drama about survival. Parents need to be aware of the excessive and disturbing violence throughout the film.
Krampus-Kids’ Movie Review
The Christmas season is a festive time of year to be with loved ones. However, for Max (Emjay Anthony), a pre-teen boy, things aren’t that wonderful. He misses the days when his family was happy and didn’t argue, but when he loses the Christmas spirit and has given up hope, Max’s world changes completely. Krampus, an enormous goat-like creature, and his creepy clan of toys, elves and gingerbread cookies arrive at Max’s house. His German Grandmother is familiar with the Krampus legend and says, “Krampus came not to reward, but to punish.” Not to give, but to take.” Now Max and his family must forget their differences and bond together to save one another and bring back the Christmas spirit.
Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 26, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- Krampus is a strange but thought provoking Christmas film. The wise German Grandmother tells the family that Krampus took everyone in her family after WWII except her. She said, “He left me as a reminder of what happens when hope is lost, when belief is forgotten, and when the Christmas spirit dies.” Grandma also explains to the family that the true meaning of Christmas is to focus on others’ needs, not our own selfish desires. Great parent/child discussion.
- Though there are some wonderful messages, the film is very dark and creepy. See violent content below:
Sexual Content: Mild
- There’s a joke about squirrels “playing with their nuts.”
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- A group of kids get into a fight wrestling and tackling one another.
- Krampus is a very large and very creepy beast. When he invaded Max’s house, he brought with him evil stuffed animals and toys, creepy elves and wicked gingerbread cookies.
- We see huge angels with bloody teeth, bears and clowns who try to devour the family. Sadly they do eat a child.
- A baby is kidnapped.
- Gingerbread cookies attack Uncle Howard with a nail gun.
- A character is shown hanged by Christmas lights, then cut down.
- The humans fight back and continuously shoot the evil creatures.
- We see Krampus dropping two children into a deep fiery pit.
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
- The f-word is said twice. We also hear “sh-t,” “d–n,” “b–tard,” “a–,” “a–hole,” “d–k,” and “b–ch.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see a teenage boy holding a Christmas bong.
- Aunt Dorothy likes her alcohol. She shows three tweens how to make her favorite concoction of peppermint schnapps with hot chocolate; then offers the drinks to the tweens.
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes
- Krampus will appeal to kids that like horror films.
Overall Krampus is a scary and creepy horror film. However, there are some redeeming qualities and noteworthy messages for kids. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence and crude language throughout the film. Depending on the child, Krampus is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.
The Good Dinosaur-Kids’ Movie Review
What if dinosaurs were not wiped out 65 millions years ago? Luckily for young dinosaur Arlo, his parents and two siblings… they were not. Life is good for the dinosaur family, except for the dreadful day when a rainstorm washes Arlo down the river. He ends up battered and bruised and miles away from home. Frightened and alone, Arlo comes across a Neanderthal boy and names him Spot. Now the two misfits embark on many adventures as they try to find Arlo’s beloved family. The Good Dinosaur is a Pixar animated film, and an adventure for all.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: February 23, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The Good Dinosaur is a perfect film for young kids. It’s not only funny with likable characters, there are some wonderful lessons. The film highlights the importance of facing your fears; the joys of good friends and family.
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
- There are frightening dinosaurs that eat small creatures, they chase Arlo and his friend Spot.
- There’s an emotional scene where Arlo and his father are together near a river, and his father is submerge by violent floodwaters.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Arlo and Spot eat rotten fruit from the ground which causes strange things to happen to them.
Will kids like it? Yes
- Young kids in the theater were laughing at the funny parts and very attentive in the dramatic parts. I interviewed a few four and five year-olds that loved the movie. They liked Arlo and thought the film was very funny.
Overall this is a funny and appropriate film for kids of all ages. Parents need to be aware of some moderate violence throughout the movie.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2-Teen Movie Review
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is known as the Mockingjay…she’s the face of the revolution and a symbol of hope. After living under the horrific conditions of the totalitarian ruled country of Panem, Katniss and her closest friends; Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Finnick team up to accomplish the courageous mission they’ve always hoped to do…assassinate their cruel and evil dictator, President Snow (Donald Sutherland). They face many challenging obstacles as they attempt to free millions of innocent victims from the corrupt government of Panem. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2 is the fourth film in a trilogy book series by Suzanne Collins.
Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 22, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- Katniss is determined to kill President Snow, she and her friends sacrifice their lives to improve the lives of millions of people.
- Among all the violence in the war-torn area of Panem, there is a sweet love story between Katniss and Peeta. Peeta was tortured and corrupted by the government, which turned him against Katniss. She cares for him and teaches him what’s real.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see character’s kissing.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- Katniss and her group are in several life threatening situations. In one scene they are underground and a pool of oil comes pouring out at them.
- Katniss’ team is attacked and eaten alive by frightening zombie type creatures.
- We see numerous characters being shot, stabbed and blown up.
- There are several scenes that are hard to watch. One in particular when President Snow corals a massive group of people outside the Capitol. He kills them by setting off bombs. Initially we hear screaming children, then we see dead bodies everywhere, woman and children…which was very disturbing.
- We see bloody wounds and bruises on Katniss’ neck and stomach.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking champagne at a party.
- Katniss is given a morphine drip. Another character takes the tube out of Katniss’ arm and sticks it in her own…admitting she’s been looking for drugs.
Will Teens Like It? Yes
Overall The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is a very dark and violent film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.