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Action Movie reviews

Fantastic Four-Kids’ Movie Review

Kids do all sorts of activities growing up whether it be sports, music or kick ball in the back yard. However, Reed Richards (Miles Teller) is not your typical kid; he does scientific experiments in his garage. As Reed becomes a teenager he and three other kids use one of his inventions and teleport to an alternate universe where their physical form changes drastically. Now the four, A.K.A. Fantastic Four, must use their new skills and work together to save the Earth from an evil enemy. Fantastic Four is based on a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics.

Rating: 2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: December 15, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Teens Like It? No

Talking Points:

The film has an all-star cast, to name a few; Miles Teller, Kate Mara and Michael B. Jordan (from Friday Night Lights). Having said that the film is slow in parts and somewhat depressing.

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a character crawling through an air duct- naked. However, we primarily see him waist up.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

Characters are shown on fire, smothered by an avalanche, their flesh burned and blistered, and legs crushed.
As the characters develop their superpowers one of the four turns Hulk-like. He smashes other characters, burns them and destroys them.
We see character’s cut and injured; covered in blood.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

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

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

Three of the main character’s are shown drunk while passing a flask around.

Will Teens Like It? No

I interviewed several pre-teens who thought the movie was slow, dark and depressing.

Overall Fantastic Four is an action packed sci/fi film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the movie.

Max-Kids’ Movie Review

“A dog is man’s best friend;” is a very familiar adage. Max is a very loyal dog that helped the US Marines in Afghanistan. His master and best friend, Kyle, died during the war, so Max returns to the U.S. and is adopted by his Kyle’s family. Though the dog suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he immediately develops a special bond with Justin; Kyle’s younger brother. Now Justin and Max become the best of friends, and this war-time hero dog not only gives Justin several kisses a day, he even helps him solve some local crimes. Max is an action-packed movie; one for the whole family.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: October 27, 2015
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 message of doing the right thing is woven throughout the film, and will spark some good parent/child conversations. Justin’s dad says a hero is someone who always tells the truth.
The film is a little corny in parts. It seemed like an ABC family movie on TV. Having said that kids will like the characters and the action in the film.

Sexual Content: Mild

A couple briefly kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Kyle is shown dead after an explosion while fighting in Afghanistan.
We see a truck full of weapons veer off the road and burst into flames.
The bad guys chase Max, Justin, and his friends. They shoot at the boys and Max several times.
Justin’s dad is held captive at gunpoint. He punches the villain and slam’s the man’s arm in a truck door.
Max jumps on a man who attacks Justin, and then Max and the man fall off a bridge.
Max and two vicious dogs roll around and get into some brutal fights.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “d–ned.

Drug and Alcohol Content:

We see character’s drinking beer.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed a 13 year-old boy and 15 year-old girl who both loved the movie. They thought it was very exciting; while sitting at the edge of their seats.

Overall Max is an action packed adventurous film. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 8 and up.

Inside Out-Kids’ Movie Review

We all want our children to be happy, but as we know there are ups and downs in life which causes temporary sadness. Riley is a happy 11 year-old girl living in Minnesota. She is a star hockey player, does well in school, and has a great group of friends. However, everything changes when her dad gets a new job, and the family moves to San Francisco. We see her struggle as the film centers on the five emotions that guide her life: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. These emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they advise her daily life. Things get complicated as her emotions disagree on how to handle all the changes she’s going through. They eventually realize that Joy might not be the emotion Riley needs during her difficult time.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: November 3, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is a very cleaver and thought provoking film, one that will spark numerous parent/child conversations. The film highlights the fact that it’s okay to be sad at times, and that we can’t be happy all the time. {Spoiler Alert} During the film we want the character, Joy, to be in Riley’s life- not Sadness. However we eventually realize that Sadness is the hero in the film. With Sadness, Riley is allowed to grieve and then move on to a better life.
The importance of family is another element in the film. When Riley is depressed and down, it’s her parents that comfort her and lift her spirits.
This is a PG animated film which will target young kids. However, there are some sad and emotional parts that parents need to be aware of. When Riley’s world changes, she’s very down and depressed; this may be upsetting to some sensitive kids.
Riley steals her mom’s credit card and attempts to run away from home.

Sexual Content: Mild

Riley imagines herself with a boyfriend who dramatically says, “I would die for Riley.”
Riley talks to a boy, and we see inside his mind where the controllers are freaking out .

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There is a dark and somewhat disturbing tone to the film. {Spoiler Alert} However, in the end you realize that’s a critical part to the storyline and that it’s okay to be sad at times.
We see Riley’s dreams: one has a growling dog running around. She’s also haunted by a dead mouse in a dream.
Riley’s “train of thought” derails. We see characters flying off the train.
When characters enter into a danger zone we see their bodies become distorted.

Crude or Profane Language: None

There is a discussion on the use of curse words, but we don’t hear any.

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

I interviewed two kids ages four and six. The four year girl got bored and antsy, while the six year old boy liked it and thought it was funny in parts.
Two 13 year old girls loved it and said, “It was amazing.”

Overall, this is another wonderful Pixar film. Parents need to be aware of the mature storyline which has some sad and emotional parts to it. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 8 and up.

Jurassic World-Kids’ Movie Review

Family friendly vacation spots are great getaways with kids, especially at the Jurassic World theme park in Costa Rica. The destination resort has plenty of options to entertain kids and adults; it has genetically engineered dinosaurs, petting zoos, great shopping and first-class accommodations! However, when the vicious and extremely intelligent Indominus rex escapes and sets off a chain reaction to other dinosaurs, mayhem ensues. The once amazing theme park has turned into complete chaos. Now it’s up to Owen (Chris Pratt), a former military man and animal expert, to save the tourists from the dinosaur attack… which was not on their vacation itinerary. Jurassic World is the latest installment of the Jurassic Park series.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: October 20, 2015
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

The film has several likable characters, which enhances the storyline of a dinosaur assault.
There are several graphic and disturbing scenes as the dinosaurs attack humans and each other. See details in the violent content below.

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss and flirt with one another.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

The gigantic and vicious Indominus rex kills numerous humans and dinosaurs. It grabs people off the ground either eating them, throwing them or stomping them to death. It chomps and gnaws at other dinosaurs as well.
We see a swarm of raptors attacking soldiers and other characters.
There are numerous explosions and gun fire as we see soldiers shooting the dinosaurs with their rifles and machine guns.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “d–n,” “h–l,” “a–,” and “b–ch” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see a guy drinking margaritas.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed kids ages 10 to 15. They all loved the thrilling aspect of the film. The girls liked the excitement and the cute male actors; while the boys loved the action and suspense.

Overall this is a wonderful action packed drama. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence which may frighten kids. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 11 and up.

Spy-Teen Movie Review

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) spent her entire adult life working as a CIA analyst. She sits at her desk with her hidden earpiece and high-tech equipment while assisting a handsome CIA agent, Bradley Fine (Jude Law). It’s Susan’s job to keep Bradley safe and help him avoid dangerous situations. However, things dramatically change when Bradley is assassinated by Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), a Bulgarian arms dealer. Now it’s Susan’s chance to go on an undercover assignment and help capture the evil, though beautiful, assassin.

Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: September 29, 2015
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Spy is an exciting and action packed movie. There is an all-star cast with a suspenseful storyline. Having said that this is a typical Melissa McCarthy movie (slightly milder); excessive profane language with raunchy humor.

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see pictures of a penis.
Two men are shown in the street engaging in oral sex.
A guy grabs woman’s breasts and butt.
There are several inappropriate comments regarding sexual positions, porn and male/female body parts.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are several violent fights throughout the film. We see character’s stabbed by a knife, hit by heavy pots and pans, choked, and shot to death.
Characters are shown fighting while traveling in a private plane. They are thrown all around the plane during the turbulent flight.
A bomb explodes.
Someone puts poison in a woman’s drink.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

The f-word is said numerous times throughout the film. We also hear “sh-t,” “a–,” “d–n,” ,”h–.” Crude words pertaining to sexual body parts are said as well.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking wine and champagne at social gatherings.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

It’s an action packed film with a comedic element to it. I interviewed four teenage girls who are fans of Melissa McCarthy; beginning with her days of playing Sookie St. James from the TV seriers Gilmore Girls. They thought the movie was funny and very entertaining.