Family
Family movie reviews
Marley and Me Review
Based on the best selling memoir by John Grogan, Marley and Me is a love affair between a dog and his family. Most moms would recognize Marley, he’s like a child stuck in the terrible twos. Part of the movie was the families relationship with their dog, the other part was the husband and wife relationship. It’s a warm, funny and entertaining which affirms the importance of family.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 31, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Marely is high strung, boisterous and uncontrolled; he crashes through screen doors, rips up couches, chews on books, chairs, rugs, toys; he even gets expelled from obedience school.But at the same time, he’s boisterous and uncontrolled with his love. As John narrates, “ A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his. How many people can make you feel extraordinary?” This could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Many moms would be uncomfortable with the profanity and sexual components to the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are women wearing skimpy bikinis, the couple goes skinny dipping, and there are some sexual jokes and provocative conversations.
Violent Content: Mild
- A women is attacked by a mugger, we see her collapsed by her car, covered with blood.
- Slapstick silly violence with Marley. Marley chews on chairs, rugs, toys and many other things.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as “h–,” “b–ch,” “a–,” and “b–tard,” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and beer.
Overall I enjoyed this movie, however I feel it could have been rated PG13. After the movie a mom said to me, “Now I have to give my 8 year old “the talk”. My 12 year old kept saying, “It should be PG13”. Sometimes parents should be aware of before seeing this movie.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted Review
Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman have been traveling far too long; they’re ready to get back to their home town…New York! After leaving Africa they end up in Monte Carlo, where they find their gambling penguin buddies. So now they’re all ready to head back to the Big Apple, however things don’t go as planned. Capitaine Chantel DuBois, the evil French animal control officer, finds the animals, and desperately wants to capture Alex; hoping to add a lion’s head to her wall of captured animals. To escape the officer and get back home, they end up joining a traveling circus. Now Alex and the gang not only have to run from the evil officer, they also have to take part in helping a troubled traveling circus improve their show; with the ultimate goal of getting back to their beloved cages in the Central Park Zoo. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is a wonderful, animated film for kids!
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: June 8, 2012
MPAA Rating:PG
Best Age Group:5 +
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points
Not only is this a funny entertaining movie for kids, there are some great messages woven throughout the film. The animals continually try to help one other, by being supportive during their circus events, and trying to make it the best it can be.
Alex helps the circus’s animal leader overcome his fears. While giving him an inspirational talk, the Pomp and Circumstance march was playing in the background. This was a very motivating scene.
The 3D effects were very well done. Kids will like the vibrate colors in the film, and the fun circus acts.
The theater was packed; the kids were very attentive and laughed at the comedic parts of the film, however parents may get a little bored.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two of the animals flirt with each other, and fall in love. While flirting one says, “Ooh, you have a very hairy back. I like that in a woman.
Violent Content: Moderate
- Animals crash through a glass ceiling in Monte Carlo, causing mayhem in a casino.
- There are car chase scenes as the Capitaine tries to capture the animals. We see vehicles tumbled and blown up, thrown through buildings.
- The Capitaine uses her dart pistol at the animals.
- A group of cute little dogs turns out to be a pack of mongrels. We see them fight with each other while threatening others.
- Knives are thrown
- The animals fight with the Capitaine. In one scene the bear hits her with a motorcycle wheel, she’s smashed between two elephants and falls unconscious off a raised platform.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Poopy,” and “heck” are said.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- When referring to a circus company, an animal says,” the members are drunk from their maple syrup.”
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is a fun animated movie for kids. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 5 and up. Parents need to be aware of the slapstick moderate violence.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Review
In the beginning of the movie we see a recap of the 1st movie(how Alex is separated from his family, he goes from Africa to Central Park Zoo). When the story starts the four main characters are in Madagascar ready to board a broken down plane to New York. They don’t make it far, end up in the plains of Africa,( in the middle of an animal reserve where Alex’s mom and dad live). Many surprises happen there, good and bad.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: February 6, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Like the first one, the movie highlights the importance of friendship. I read a review by David Schwimmer(voice of Giraffe). He said a question that was being raised throughout the film was: “What is the definition of home? Is it Manhattan? Is it Africa? Is it Madagascar?” Home for those guys is each other. They’re loyal to each other. They have each other, that’s what counts.
After Alex is reunited with his mom and dad they discover how little he and his dad have in common. His dad learns to appreciate and respect his son. Alex is a dancer not a fighter. Main point is: value who you are, follow your dreams and be proud of who you are.
The four main characters have their own story(subplot).
Lion-(Alex) is trying to prove himself to his dad. Alex is named heir to the throne- if he can prove himself in a rite of passage that involves fighting another lion, he assumes it’s a dance contest.
Zebra-(Marty) Trying to find his individuality among a herd of zebras.
Hippo-(Gloria) looking for love. She meets Motto, Motto, which means hot, hot.
Giraffe(Melman) is in love with Gloria.
Sexual Content: Mild
- King Julian makes sexual comments such as “I’m a lady, which of you is attracted to me?’” (He’s wearing a coconut bra and skirt).
- Gloria says she wants to sign up for the breeding program. She and Moto Moto talk in low and sexy voices with each other.
Violent Content: Mild
- Lions battling each other.
- Humans are also stranded in Africa. A tough granny punches Alex, he steals her cell phone. Penguins attack the grandma.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Jeez, “heck,” darn” and “oh snap” are used in the movie. There’s name calling such as: “loser” and “stupid.”
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Gloria drinks wine, there are champagne glasses on the plane.
Overall there is good music, with colorful and vivid landscapes. A lot of detail in the animals, which kids will enjoy!
Little Fockers Review
This is the story about Greg (Ben Stiller) and Pam Focker (Teri Polo), from Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers. In this third series Greg and Pam are busy arranging for their twin’s 5th birthday party, which means the in-laws will be coming for a visit. Pam’s dad, Jack (Robert De Niro) the ex-CIA , hard-nosed, very suspicious man, will be watching his son-in-law Greg the whole time, just waiting for him to make some sort of mistake. However, there’s more pressure this time with Jack’s visit. De Niro tells Greg of his plan to turn Greg into his successor as the head of the family, he calls him, “The Godfocker.” We now see how Greg has to live up to his new title, and how he handles the pressure from his father-in-law.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: April 5, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: Older teenagers
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent Content: None
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
The movie has an all star cast, to name a few; Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Owen Wilson and Jessica Alba. They were all funny at times and entertaining.
Dealing with in-laws can sometimes be difficult and uncomfortable. However, through all the comedy and slapstick humor in this movie, there is an underlying message of the importance of family, and fidelity. Hopefully, the message will get through to the viewers.
Sexual Content: Excessive
Throughout the whole movie there are sexual references and comments. For example:
- Much of the storyline is focused on Greg’s relationship with Andi (Jessica Alba), a cute, flirtatious, pharmaceutical rep.,who recruits Greg to be a spokesperson for Sustengo, an erectile dysfunction drug for men with heart problems. Of course with this drug there are many jokes and sexual references that kids don’t need to hear.
- Greg’s mom hosts a sex-therapy show, this was another source for sexual jokes in the movie, ones I won’t even mention on air.
Profanity: Moderate
With the family name Focker, that says enough right there. Many jokes were triggered with this name, while many other swear words were used as well.
Overall this was a predictable, entertaining movie with a lot slapstick humor throughout the movie. For people that have enjoyed the previous movies, they will most likely like this one too. Parents need to know the movie is filled with sexual references before sending their kids. I would say it’s okay for older teenagers.
Kung Fu Panda 2 Review
My dad used to say, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” In this sequel to Kung Fu Panda, we see our favorite Panda, Po, going through a tough time, and eventually learning how to deal with it. Po (voice of Jack Black) is now a Dragon Warrior; which means that he, along with his kung fu friends, The Furious Five, are to protect the Valley of Peace. Initially things are great, and they are enjoying their new life, until they found out an evil villain named Shen (voice of Gary Oldman) plans to use a secret weapon to conquer China and ban martial arts. Now it’s up to Po and his friends to seek out this villain, and save Kung Fu. This is an entertaining, fun movie for the whole family.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: May 26, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points
Po and Shen (the evil villain) both have some insecurities from their past of which they are both dealing with. I don’t want to give too much of the story away, however, there are some lessons in the movie which could spark some great parent/ child conversations. To name a couple:
• In this movie, we’re told that your story may not have a happy beginning, (like Po’s), but it’s who you choose to be. Po learns a lot about how to handle certain hardships, and eventually says, “You gotta let go of that stuff from the past, because it just doesn’t matter.” A good reminder for kids as well as their parents.
• Po doesn’t have any special powers or strengths, he’s just a regular guy who is a good friend and a good son; he wants to do the right thing.
Po is an adorable, likable character, one that kids will be entertained by. Po see’s disturbing visions of his past. We see him as a crying baby, being abandoned by his parents. This was sad, and may also disturb some kids.
Sexual Content: Mild
• Parents be prepared for some questions. In one scene, Po asks his dad, (who’s a goose), where he came from. His dad tells him that geese come from eggs, and then says, “Don’t ask where the egg comes from.”
Violent Content: Moderate
There is a lot of violence in this PG movie. One reviewer compared this movie to a Road Runner cartoon, and then comments; “You get the idea of the level and kind of violence we’re talking about here.” I couldn’t agree more. The violence consists of:
• Characters being punched, kicked and hit, while doing a lot of kung fu moves.
• There are fireballs and cannonballs used in many scenes.
• There is a lot of slapstick violence, similar to cartoons.
Crude and Profane Language: Mild
• Words such as “idiot” and “fool” are used.
Overall I think most kids will enjoy this animated action comedy, which is geared towards kids. However, parents may get a little bored. One man was snoring in the theater. With the fun characters and light humor, this is a good movie for kids ages 5 and up. Having said that, I feel that parents need to know that if their kids are sensitive to violent scenes, it might not be for them.