Sci-Fi
Sci-Fi movie reviews
Star Trek Review
This is a prequel to the original Star Trek series from 1966. We see how the well loved crew of the Starship Enterprise comes together and is tested by adversity. Of course, here they’re younger and and in this day and age, more edgy. While on a special humanitarian mission from Starfleet Academy, the new recruits have to find a way to stop the evil Nero, a Romulan who wants to destroy all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of rivals, James Kirk (Chris Pine), a thrill seeking Iowa farm boy, and Spock, who was raised in the logic based Vulcan society that seeks to control all emotions. Though Kirk and Spock are very different, they lead the crew through danger and adventure.
Rating: Five out of five buckets
Release Date: November 17, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
I didn’t want to see the movie, I usually don’t like science fiction, however I loved it.
Even though there is fighting and violence, it’s a fun optimistic movie.
The special effects are terrific. At one point, they do a space jump which is something like a parachuting but from outside the atmosphere. It was really cool.
My husband, a lifelong trekie, tells me that there are many allusions and connections to the original 1966 series. Leonard Nemoy, has an important, though small role as an older Spock who is sent back in time. He provides a great connection with the new Star Trek cast and the original cast.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- If parents decide to bring younger kids, they may find one scene it a little uncomfortable when Kirk is in bed with a green skinned cadet in a bikini. They’re interrupted when her roommate walks in. But then he hides under the bed and sees the roommate(whom he likes) strip down to her bra and underwear.
Violent Content: Excessive
- Kirk gets into a bar fight, where he’s brutally beaten, covered with blood. He also gets in a few other fights.
- Kirk is nearly choked to death a few time.
- There a some intense spaceship battles.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is used, and we hear other words such as “a‑‑,” “b‑‑tard” and “d‑‑n.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Characters drink at a bar.
- We see Kirk drunk.
I thought the ending was, especially for Trekies, really neat. The movie ended with the lines and the music that started every show . . .”Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
I recommend that you boldly go to see Star Trek, I give it five buckets.
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World Review
Marissa (Jessica Alba), a retired spy, is now a full time homemaker. She’s married to Wilbur (Joel McHale) a spy hunting TV reporter, she has a baby and twin 10 year old step children, (Rebecca, played by Rowen Blanchard and Cecil played by Mason Cook); who want nothing to do with her. However, things dramatically change when the twins find out their stepmom is a former spy agent. Marissa (the stepmom) is called back to duty to save the planet from an evil villain (Time Keeper). He wants to take over the world, and ultimately freeze it. He feels that people waste their time, and they don’t realize how precious it is. Now it’s up to Marissa, her step-kids, along with the familiar Spy Kids from the previous films, Cameron (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), to save the world from this evil threat.
Rating: Three out of five buckets.
Release Date: August 19, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 5 to 10
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: None
Talking Points:
This is the fourth movie in the popular Spy Kids series. My kids were fans of the first three movies, however they are not the target audience for this film; I’m sad to say that they’ve outgrown the Spy Kids series.
I didn’t particularly love this movie, however I did like the constant theme throughout the film. The movie focuses on the importance of family, and to make the most of our time, to love and enjoy our families. Some great quotes from the movie about time: “It’s not about the time you have, it’s what you choose to do with it.” When referring to spending quality time with your kids, a character says, “Spend time with them now, because the only thing you’ll find time for later is regret.” Another message is that you can’t change the past, “Live life moving forward not back.” This could spark a conversation with your kids.
There’s some rude potty humor; with kids vomiting and dogs burping. The twins play many practical jokes on their stepmom such as; dropping a bag of blue cheese dressing on her head, and putting baby powder in her blow dryer. Initially the twins didn’t like their stepmom, I thought they were mean and disrespectful.
The movie was in 4D, which could be a fun added feature for kids. When buying the tickets, we received a card with 8 numbers on it.When a number appeared on the screen, you rub that number on the card and sniff it. I think the kids in the theater liked it, I thought it was a little annoying.
The acting was not the greatest!
Sexual Content: Mild
- A married couple kiss.
Violent Content: Mild
- There’s an evil villain, but he’s not that scary, if anything he’s a little goofy.
- Men chase the kids, and shoot them with laser beams….silly violence, not threatening or scary.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Words such as “butt-head,” “stupid,” and “puke” are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Overall Spy Kids: All the Time in the World is an adventurous action packed movie. Parents need to know that there is some rude potty humor, and slapstick violence. As I previously mentioned, kids familiar with the first three films have most likely outgrown this one. With all the messages about embracing time, my 13 year old son said, “The time in the movie was too long.” Hmmm…maybe not for teens, but great for it’s target audience; kids ages 5 to 10.
Some quotes from the audience:
“It was totally appropriate,” said a mom of a 6 and 9 year old.
“I loved it,” said a 9 year old boy.
“I loved it that Cameron and Juni (characters from the previous films) were in it.” said a 7 year old girl.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Review
This is a story about a twenty-two year old guy named Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). He’s a guitarist in a garage band, who finally meets the love of his life, Ramona Flowers. After many dates with Ramona, Scott gradually realizes that she has a lot of baggage; seven former boyfriends, all who want to destroy Scott for dating Ramona. In this creative, comedy adventure, we see how Scott handles Ramona’s seven evil exes.
Rating: One out of five buckets
Release Date: November 9, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
This is a very creative movie. The movie has some romance, and it’s an action/adventure, sci-fi/fantasy, comedy. This movie continually went in and out of either game mode, comic book mode or rock-video mode, which most of the audience loved. However, the audience consisted of mostly older teens and adults in their twenty’s, and only a few kids.
I read that, “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World feels like the first movie aimed squarely at the gamer generation; those who have grown up with video games as a fact of life and, in some cases, a reason for living.” I don’t think kids will enjoy this type of movie, they won’t appreciate some of the humor, and creativity.
Scott was a very likable, persistent character, who never backed down when fighting for Ramona.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There were a few scenes where I was uncomfortable with my twelve and ten year old boys.
- On Scott and Ramona’s first date, Ramona gets into bed with Scott, only wearing her bra and undies; she passionately kisses him, but then she says, “I changed my mind, I don’t want to have sex with you.”
- Scott’s roommate is gay, and he is with many different guys throughout the movie, and it’s implied that they’ve he’s slept with each one of them. Sometimes, Scott would even sleep in the same bed with them.
- One of Ramona’s exes was a girl, Ramona said she was “ bi-curious.”
Profanity: Moderate
- Many beeped f-words, along with many other swear words, but okay for a PG13 movie.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There were seven exes, and with each ex, there was a battle which consisted of either punches, kung fu, or sword fights. Some were very violent.
Even though this was a very creative movie, and it seemed that the audience loved it, I did not like it! It was battle after battle, which got very boring. More importantly, I feel that most kids won’t enjoy this type of movie. My ten and twelve year old boys thought it was awful and a waste of time. I give it one bucket.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review
James Franco plays Will, an ambitious scientist, who takes care of his beloved father who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Will’s goal is to find a cure for this awful disease, no matter what it takes! After several years of studies and trials on a chimpanzee, and seeing much improvement, Will is ready to get approval to start human trials. However, it’s not that easy. Will gradually develops a special bond with a chimpanzee named Caesar, and he eventually realizes that this could be a dangerous relationship, knowing that a man vs. ape war is on the rise. This sci/fi action packed drama is a prequel to Charlton Heston’s 1968 movie Planet of the Apes.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: August 5, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I really liked the characters in this film. Will (James Franco) was such a kind- hearted person who was truly passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Some other great characters: Will’s beautiful, supportive girlfriend, Caroline (Freida Pinto) and Will’s father (John Lithgow).
I loved the relationship that Caesar (the chimpanzee) had with Will, and Will’s father. When Will’s father was being threatened by a neighbor, Caesar was there to protect and comfort him.
In another scene, the chimp asked (in sign language) Will if he was a pet, Will responded, “No, I’m your father.” It was a touching scene.
This film was portrayed in trailers as a scary, war movie. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of battle scenes, but there was also an emotional element to the film which I don’t think people will see from the trailer.
The special effects were amazing. Caesar looked like a real chimpanzee, which added a lot to the storyline; making it more realistic.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two characters kiss.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are several fights when Caesar (the chimp) was protecting Will and his father.
- When Caesar was in a shelter with other chimps, the attendant was brutal and cruel to the apes. He hit Caesar with an electric rod, and slammed him against a wall in his cage, while spraying him with a high pressure water hose.
- When the apes convene and escape from their cages, complete mayhem begins. The apes smash through windows, turn cars and buses over, and hit humans while hissing and snarling in a frightening way.
- The humans were also cruel while trying to kill the apes.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The d-word, h-word and a-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Alzheimer Drugs are injected in the apes and humans.
- Characters drink beer.
Overall, this is an action packed movie with an emotional element to it. This is not my type of movie, but I can understand why some people would like it. I interviewed boys ages 11 to 15 after the movie; they loved it. Their grandpa thought it was appropriate for kids, and he thoroughly enjoyed it too. Kids that are sensitive to scary movies may be frightened with some of the violent battle scenes with the humans and apes.
Real Steel Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: October 7, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10 and up
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Initially I thought that this was a strange movie, after all robot boxing…that’s weird. But then an endearing relationship forms between Charlie and his son Max, and the storyline became a little more interesting.
Parents may not love this movie, though the moms will like Hugh Jackman. This is a boy movie! They will love the robot boxing element to it, and they will be thoroughly entertained by Max, a fun energetic boy!
The robot boxing was well choreographed. I read that “Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard was an essential part of the motion-capture mix.”
Charlie and Max repeatedly gamble throughout the film when placing bets on the robots. This could spark a good parent/ child conversation.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Women wear low cut dresses and t-shirts.
Violent Content: Excessive
- This is a robot boxing movie, so there is some violence, though a little weird at times.
- In one scene Charlie and Max were being chased by some thugs, Charlie was severely beaten and Max was forcefully thrown to the ground. This may disturb some kids.
- During a thunderstorm, Max slipped down a steep, muddy hill, this scene could scare some kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Max, the 11 year old boy, swears in the film a few times. Words such as “s–t,” “d–n,” “b–ch,” were said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Many characters attending some of the boxing matches were drinking beer and liquor.
Real Steal is not a deep, thought provoking film, however it’s a fun, entertaining movie, one that boys ages 10+ will most likely enjoy. Parents need to be aware of the violent scenes and profanity throughout the film.