Family
Family movie reviews
Brave Review
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: November 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Wild and strong willed teen-aged Princess Merida clashes constantly with her mother the Queen as her mother struggles to prepare Merida for marriage and ultimately to be the next Queen. After a big clash, Merida flees to the forest where she meets a mysterious witch. She convinces the witch to cast a spell which turns her mother into a bear. Now, she has 48 hours to figure out how to turn her back and learn some important lessons along the way.
Talking Points:
Great family lessons – Merida and her mother fought often but they really loved each other. Both Merida and the Queen learned to listen to each other.
The movie is fun, funny and action packed. Kids as young a seven seemed to enjoy it and were captivate by the movie.
The animation was stunning and 3D effects were well done.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two of the King’s Lords moon another character by lifting their kilts.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are numerous animated battles between men and also between men and bears. One battle is particularly tense and may frighten small children.
- There are scary beasts in the film, which may scare young kids.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- The King drinks from a flagon.
- Merida suggests that her dad have some of the King’s wine.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this was a fun entertaining movie for the whole family. However parents need to be aware of the moderate violence that may scare young kids. I recommend this film for kids ages 7 and up.
Bolt Review
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: March 22, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Story about a TV super star dog who discovers that his powers, which he possesses on his TV show, aren’t real, when he accidently winds up in New York. While traveling cross country to get back to his owner/co-star, he meets 2 companions along the way, a star struck hamster, and a cat. Their adventures getting back to Hollywood are very entertaining.
Talking Points:
There are some good quotes and positive points such as:
Bolt wants to protect his owner/co-star. Throughout the movie he say’s “ I have to find my person”. “I want to protect my person.”
The hamster says,” You never abandon a friend in time of need.”
Bolt discovers that he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.
Families will find it very fun and enjoyable, especially dog lovers.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Opening scenes are from his TV show. He and Penny are being chased by bad guys. There are exploding vehicles, and loud noises. This may scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as, “stupid” and “gosh” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see a dog in a lab filled with chemicals.
Overall, Bolt is an uplifting, heartwarming movie with messages about honesty, loyalty, humility and other virtues. I cried!
My 3 kids loved it!
Pink Panther 2- Family Movie Review
Pink Panther 2 is a sequel to the 2006 comedy “Pink Panther.” When the film begins Inspector Clouseau is a parking meter attendant. But when the legendary Pink Panther diamond is stolen, along with artifacts from all over the world, the chief inspector assembles an international dream team to track down the thief and recover the missing artifacts. Clouseau is added to this team as the French detective. With his physical gags, and French accent, he adds excitement and humor to the team.
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Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date:
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Funny, mild entertainment.
I interviewed kids ages 7 to 10. They all loved the movie, and thought it was very funny. My kids loved it as well.
The cast is filled with many talented actors and comedians.
I interviewed a few mom’s who thought it was inappropriate because of the sexual components of the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- A women police dept. therapist meets with Clouseau to discuss proper sexual conduct in the workplace, which then trigers improper conduct. Clouseau makes suggestive statements to the therapist as well as other women. He says to his assistant, “ You’re like a brother to me, a hot sexy brother in a dress”.
- Women wear low cut outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There’s a lot of slapstick, silly violence.
- There is some serious violence. For example, one character is found dead on the floor.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says the a-word.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
If you like slapstick humor, you will find the movie entertaining.
Good for kids ages 9 to early teens.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop- Family Movie Review
As the title implies, Paul Blart is a mall cop who takes his job very seriously, perhaps a little too seriously. It’s a pretty quiet job until a group of well organized robbers attempt to rob the mall on Black Friday, they also take a group of hostages, including Paul’s daughter, and a mall worker who he has a crush on. So now the mall cop has to become a real cop and rescue his daughter, and love interest, and save the day..
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: May 19, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It’s an entertaining and funny movie that keeps you interested.
Paul is committed to his family and job, he’s loyal and trustworthy. He also refuses to hit a women, even in self defense.
Strong father-daughter relationship.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Paul flirts with a teenage girl.
- A character comments on a push-up bra.
Violent Content: Mild
- The robbers may scare younger kids. They arrive in the form of tattooed thugs who ride skateboards throughout the mall. They barricade the doors and take hostages, but in a humorous way.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The a-word, and h-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Paul drinks socially, he even gets drunk at one point.
I interviewed kids ages 8 to 11 after the movie, who all loved it! Some parents thought it was a little corny, but thought it was exciting for the kids. My husband, 2 boys (ages 9 and 11) and I all enjoyed it.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian-Family Movie Review
Larry Daley, the security guard in the first movie, is now a huge success as an inventor and CEO of a gadget company. When Larry stops by the museum one day he discovers that the Museum is closed for renovations and his “historical plastic friends” are being shipped from their New York museum to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Larry immediately flies to D.C. when he learns that the monkey has taken the magical Egyptain tablet, which brings everything and everyone to life. So now, a new character, the evil pharaoh (Hank Azaria), who’s from the Smithsonian, hopes to use the tablet to conquer the Smithsonian and the world, and it’s up to Larry and his friends to save the day.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: December 1, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking points:
Hanks Azaria steals the show. He is an evil pharaoh with a lisp and a slightly feminine stream of consciousness way of talking. He’s hilarious. He choose Archie Bunker’s chair as his throne and was dismayed to discover that Dorothy’s ruby red slippers weren’t made with red rubies.
Amy Adams is terrific as Amelia Earhart. There are other fun and interesting new characters in this movie; Al Capone, bobble head mini Einsteins, and Abraham Lincoln.
A new idea of the sequel is that the artwork also comes to life, and they even entered into the artwork, which was fun and creative.
Amelia Earhart(Amy Adams) stresses the importance of having fun in what you do in life, she says “If you’re not excited by what you do, why do it.” This is a constant message throughout the movie.
In the end Larry say’s “ The key to happiness is doing what you love with people you love.”
Teddy Roosevelt says “Sometimes the greatest change brings about even greater opportunity.”
I read that the first film had a positive impact on museums, it boosted attendance at the New York Museum by 20%. This may encourage kids to visit a museum this summer.
Ben Stiller, who plays Larry, said “this movie makes the air space museum seem like the coolest place in the world.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Jedediah say proudly ‘this cowboy got to second base.” This may spark a few questions, it did in my house.
- Characters kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- There is some slaptick violence. Characters use swords and have silly battles.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- D-word is said twice. Also, “stupid,” and “sucks” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall this is a fun entertaining movie, one for the whole family!