Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark, in the sequel to Iron Man. The movie starts six months after the end of the first movie. Now the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark is Iron Man. In this film Stark is up against his Russian arch nemesis, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), and his corporate rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), but with the help of Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his friend “Rhodey” (Don Cheadle), they take on these villains that want to seek revenge against Stark, and that’s when the action begins, and there’s a lot of it!

Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: September 28, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild

See the trailer here!

Talking Points:

Great actors; Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson and more.

Even though this was an action packed movie, there was a comedic element to it that I Ioved. Robert Downey Jr. made wisecrack comments throughout the movie, which made his character even more likable.

Tony is very arrogant and full of himself, but we saw a sensitive side to him that was touching. Tony thought that his father never loved him, but when he saw an old film of his dad, Tony learned that he was truly loved. His father, who was an inventor, said to Tony in the film, “My greatest creation, is you.”

There are a lot of sub-plots from Tony’s health issues, father issues, and dealing with his enemies; that may confuse some kids, though it all comes together in the end. One reviewer wrote, “We never feel emotionally connected to Stark’s suffering because there’s too much going on.”

Sexual Content: Mild

• There is some mild sexual humor. There aren’t any sexual scenes, though Tony is a playboy, and made some off-color comments to women.

Violent Content: Excessive

• There are many violent and disturbing scenes. To name a few:

• Ivan Vanko, Stark’s rival, made his own Iron Man suit, though he has electric whips attached to his suit, in which he attacked Tony, and almost defeated him.

• In prison, Ivan kills a prison mate and a guard, and he blows up his cell.

• Tony thinks he’s dying because a device in his Iron Man suit has begun to poison his body. So Tony throws himself a birthday party, and proceeds to get very drunk, and out of control.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

I haven’t seen “Iron Man” but I read that “Iron Man 2” lacks the element of surprise that the 2008’s “Iron Man” had. Having said that I did interview people who saw “Iron Man 2”, some comments were: “awesome”, “brilliant”, “just as good as the first movie”. The audience seemed to have loved it, Iron Man is still a superhero in their minds.

I give it 4 buckets out of 5. However, parents need to know that there is a lot of violence in the movie. If they are comfortable with that, and know that their kids are okay with it, then I think it’s appropriate for kids ages 12 and up. My 12 year old son loved it, so did his friends.

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“May the odds be ever in your favor,” is the slogan used by the government officials of Panem, (a totalitarian ruled country); as the children are randomly selected to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which one boy and one girl (called tributes) from each of Panem’s 12 districts are picked to fight with one another, until there is only one survivor… the winner! The story highlights the tributes from the impoverished District 12; Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). With Katniss’ fierce determination and her skill of archery and hunting; and Peeta’s strength and support, the two from District 12 try their hardest to survive through the bitter end! The Hunger Games is based on the first book of Susanne Collins’ sci-fi trilogy. See the book come to life in this amazing, suspenseful movie; and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Rating: 5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: August 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate

See the trailer here!

See my review here!

Talking Points:

With the premise of kids killing kids, there are definitely some disturbing moments. However, the director does an amazing job of distorting the violent images, as the camera shakes in most disturbing scenes. Having said that parents need to be aware of the intensity of the film, as I think parental guidance should be strongly encouraged for kids 12 and younger.

Whether kids are reading the books in school or on their own, they will be astounded at how true to the book this film is. Even though the character development is poorly established, (though only with some characters), it won’t matter for those who have read the books. Important background information is shown through flashbacks throughout the film.

Katniss is a courageous, strong willed character. With the death of her father, she became the head of the house, taking care of her distraught mom, and her 12 year old sister, Prim. Initially Prim was selected from District 12, though it was Katniss who volunteered to take her sister’s spot. This was an emotional scene.

Even though the ultimate goal was to kill one another, there were some wonderful relationships, and acts of kindness in the film as well.

• Rue, a younger tribute, looked up to Katniss for help and support during the games.

• There were other tributes who helped others as well, knowing only one would survive.While Katniss was willing to sacrifice her life for her sister, Peeta was willing to do the same for Katniss.

• Gale, Katniss’ best friend from home, promised to take care of Katniss’ family while she was away. He did the best that he could do under horrific circumstances.

The actors were wonderful. To name a few; Jennifer Lawrence, shined in her role as Katniss, and is a strong role model for young girls. Elizabeth Banks played Effie, District 12’s escort, she tried to turn the games into a fun, exciting event. Woody Harrelson plays the drunk Haymitch, DistrictTwelve’s mentor, and a past winner of the Hunger Games; he is perfect for the role.

The film is about 2 hours and 20 minutes, which went by so quickly!!! It was extremely captivating and suspenseful, and an emotional roller coaster.

As in many films there is the idea of good vs. evil, and it is once again portrayed in this film. The Capitol, where the rich and privileged live, look down on the 12 districts, which represent different levels of poverty and skill; with District 12 being the poorest of them all. The games originally began with the District’s revolt against the Capitol, which in turn began the traditional Hunger Games. The Capitol’s citizens are cruel and evil, only wanting to attain power and control, and to be entertained. This could spark some great parent/child conversations of a totalitarian government, a constant theme throughout the film.

The games were nationally televised. We saw family members watching their young ones die, while members of the Capitol were happily cheering, as though they were watching a football game. That part was sad and disturbing.

Sexual Content: Mild

• Two character’s kiss.

Violent Content: Excessive

• There was a gang and bully mentality, as some of the older tributes were laughing about the killings, while enjoying the games!

• There were fights amongst the character’s, which was disturbing knowing they were hoping to kill one another.

• One kid was hit in the head with a brick, another disturbing scene.

• A girl got hit with a spear, and she pulled it out of her abdomen….that was gory.

• Hundred’s of wasps attacked and killed many characters.

• We saw character’s severely injured, with bloody, open wounds.

• We saw character’s being stabbed, burned to death, and shot with bow and arrows.

• Large beasts were shown killing characters.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

• “H–,” was said once, and “d–n,” was said a couple times.

Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate

• Haymitch, District 12’s mentor, was an alcoholic.

• Character’s were shown drinking wine at dinner.

Having read the book, and with the appealing character’s and intriguing storyline, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Depending on the kids sensitivity to violence, this film is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. I know some 10 and 11 year-olds who really want to see the film, but who are easily disturbed by violence; I recommend they wait. However, if they do see it in the theater, I strongly encourage them to be accompanied by their parents, they may need a little extra TLC!

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