Kids
Despicable Me Review
This is a story about Gru, a middle aged man who wants nothing more than to become history’s number one super-villain by stealing the moon. To do this, he adopts three cute little orphan sisters. Initially, he wants to use the girls for his plans to conquer the world, and then get rid of them. After a while his heart softens, and he realizes that he might be a better dad than the bad guy.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: December 14, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any Age
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
I loved this heartwarming story, and the impact that these three little orphan girls had on Gru. It was nice to see his gradual transformation from being a” bad guy” to a loving father. Initially taking the girls to ballet class, reading them bedtime stories, and even going to a carnival, drives him crazy. But their continued interactions, and loving ways, makes Gru think twice about his evil goal.
It’s a fun, simple movie with a great storyline.
The little orphan girls are absolutely adorable! They make Gru realize that love and family will make him happy, not conquering the world.
The movie started out a little slow, initially we saw a lot of Gru’s evil ways and plans. It got a lot better once he met the orphan girls.
Sexual Content: None
Violent or Disturbing Content: Mild
Some things that may scare younger kids:
Gru, at first, seemed like a scary mean old man. He had a secret hideout hidden in his home which was filled with an army of little men called minions. He also had a lot crazy gadgets, designed to help him achieve his goal; these may scare younger kids.
The girls sleep in beds made out of bombs. At one point Gru says, “It’s highly unlikely they will blow up.”
The head of the orphanage, a mean old lady, locks the girls in cardboard boxes labeled “Box of Shame.”, if they don’t sell enough cookies for their school.
Crude or Profanity: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Overall, this is a wonderful, heartwarming movie, good for the whole family. Stay and watch the credits, they’re very entertaining.
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked Review
Alvin, Simon,Theodore and the Chipettes are once again up to their usual shenanigans, however this time they’re on vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship. Things are going great until our little furry friends become “chipwrecked’ on a desert island. While Dave(their manager) frantically searches for them, he eventually realizes that the Alvin and the gang are singing and dancing, and making the best of a difficult situation. The Chipmunks embark on many adventures on the island, as they meet a castaway who adds a little spice to the Chipmunk’s journey. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a fun, musical comedy for young kids.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 27, 2012
MPAA Rating: G
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
See a clip of my review here, plus Sherlock Holmes!
Talking Points:
There’s a wonderful message of the importance of family. Dave, who adopted the Chipmunks, takes his parental role very seriously. He risked his life to save the Chipmunks; something a parent would do for their children. Dave also claimed that he’s not their manager for the money, it’s because he loves them. Forgiveness is another message instilled throughout the film, this could spark some great parent/child conversations.
Great, entertaining music with songs such as; “Born This Way” and “Firework,” by Lady Gaga.
The previous two Alvin and the Chipmunk movies are rated PG, while this is rated G.
I enjoyed the movie, though I did hear an adult snoring a couple rows behind me.
Sexual Content: Mild
- The Chipettes get drawn into a dance-off with three human girls, there was a little sexual dancing.
Violent Content: Mild
- There is some slapstick violence; an example would be when Dave slipped on the ship’s deck, where Alvin had poured suntan oil. Dave continuously bumped and hit his head on something.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says, “I’m such a pain in the…”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Character’s drink mixed drinks on the ship.
Overall, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a movie for young kids. There’s nothing inappropriate,it has a nice pro-family message, and most important, the kids will be entertained for 90 minutes! You may not find Gilligan or The Professor, but you will see some cute chipmunks on the island.
Alice In Wonderland Review
“Alice in Wonderland” is based on the 1865 children’s classic. This is a story about a 19 year old Alice, and her adventures as she follows a white rabbit down a hole into her imaginative “Wonderland.” She encounters many unusual characters, the Mad Hatter, disappearing cats, and the evil Red Queen, she also faces many of her own wild and weird adventures while in the Underland.
Rating: Two out of five buckets
Release Date: June 1, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It was a very creative, quirky, dark movie, like most of Tim Burton’s films. In this wild wonderland, certain drinks make you shrink, while certain foods make you grow. Kids will enjoy some of the creativity from this film.
Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter do a terrific job. The 3D aspect was well done, not over the top, but added depth and excitement to the movie.
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
- Since this is a dark film, with scary creatures, and some evil characters, younger kids may get frightened.
- One large scary creature scratches his claws on Alice’s arm, this leaves red wounds on her arm that we see throughout the movie.
- There’s also another scary creature that Alice has to battle. This creature will scare any youngster, as he tries to bite and crush Alice in the movie.
- The Red Queen is very evil. She gives out numerous death sentences, and we see many heads floating in her moat.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Overall this is dark film that will frighten younger kids. Depending on the child, I would recommend this movie for kids ages 8 and up. I interviewed an 8 year old girl after the movie, she liked it, thought some parts were scary, but not too bad.
The Adventures of Tin Tin Review
The race is on…young journalist Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell) and Captain Haddock (voiced by Andy Serkis) are on a mission to recover a treasure from a sunken ship commanded by Haddock’s ancestor. However, they’re not alone, Red Rackham (voiced by Daniel Craig) was on the same mission, and he was very determined to beat Tintin and the Captain. The Adventures of Tintin is the first installment in the series, it is an adventurous, fun movie, with outstanding animation!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Release Date: March 13, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Excessive
See a clip of my review here, plus Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
Talking Points:
Tintin was a tough, resilient character, who would do anything to help Captain Haddock reclaim his family fortune.
When Tintin was feeling down about himself, Captain Haddock told him, “There are plenty of people ready to call you a failure. Don’t say it about yourself!” Great parent/child conversation!
The animation was amazing, similar to The Polar Express and Disney’s latest version of A Christmas Carol.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- After being shot outside of Tintin’s door, a dying man leaves a message on a newspaper with his own blood.
- Onboard the steamer, thugs chase Tintin, while shooting him… bullets flying everywhere.
- Tintin has his own hand gun, and uses it when necessary.
- A flashback showed sword battles, with men being stabbed and hammered.
- Captain Haddock and Tintin were on a plane that crashed in the desert, Tintin was unconscious and headed toward the spinning propeller.
Crude and Profane Language: Mild
- Words,” d–ned” and “h–l” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Excessive
- Captain Haddock was an alcoholic, which was very obvious, and comical throughout the film.
This was a hard movie to review. As I previously mentioned, the animation was unbelievable; it was a well done film, with an interesting and exciting storyline. However, this is an animated film which people tend to view as children’s movies. However, there’s an uncomfortable amount of violence with swordfights, gunfights and explosions. So before sending your youngsters to this film, know that Tintin has a gun, and isn’t afraid to use it!
A Christmas Carol Review
“ A Christmas Carol” is based on Charles Dickens classic novel. This movie is an animated version of the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visits with the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
Rating: Four out of five buckets
Release Date: November 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
It’s a wonderful classic story that everyone should see. This animated 3D movie will attract younger viewers. There are many good lessons to learn from this Christmas story.
While scrooge is on his journey with the Christmas spirits, he is reminded of all the wonderful people who were once in his life, and who he shunned. He learns to appreciate life, and realizes his evil ways.
A good lesson for kids, not to idolize wealth and material things.
While most people hate and fear Scrooge, his underpaid employee and his nephew are loyal and forgiving, and always ready to welcome Scrooge into their lives.
Jim Carrey is amazing. He plays several parts; Scrooge, Christmases past, present and future.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear skimpy outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- While this is a wonderful Christmas story, there is a certain intensity, like the book, that may frighten children. One example would be when a spirit comes to visit Scrooge, he comes crashing into Scrooges bedroom carrying ghostly weights and chains. When he leaves, Scrooge looks out his window and sees dozens of spirits being tortured.
- When Scrooge it trying to escape the Specter of Death, and his hearse, Scrooge falls into a very deep open grave, this may also be disturbing to young viewers.
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine
Overall this is a story about redemption that is a reminder for kids to help others, and to be a kind loving person. Because of the frightening scenes, I would recommend this for kids ages 8 and up. I give it 4 buckets.