War

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story-Kids’ Movie Review

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…..,” the famous Star Wars opening line is back. This film focuses on a group of rebel spies who are on a mission to steal the plans for the original Death Star, the Empire’s weapon of destruction. Now the war begins between the Rebels and Imperial troops. Rogue One: Star Wars Story is an action packed film, one for all those Star Wars’ fans!!!

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 4, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Most Star Wars’ fans will enjoy the nostalgic sentiments similar to the the original 1977 film.
The battle between good and evil is once again highlighted in the movie.
The film demonstrates the importance of hope, trust, friendship and doing the right thing.

Sexual Content: None

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

There are numerous battles throughout the film. Characters are killed by lasers, bombs and explosions.
We see a Rebel shooting a wounded Stormtrooper to ensure his death.
A creepy looking creature wraps its tentacles around someone’s head.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters drinking in a bar.

Will Kids Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed several teenage boys. Most of them loved it, however a few thought it was slow and boring.

Overall this is another wonderful Star Wars film. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the excessive violence.

Hacksaw Ridge-Teen Movie Review

Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) is a wonderful loving son and husband. He was also a WWII American Army Medic who served in the Battle of Okinawa. Desmond was very unique in that he wanted to serve in the war, but he did not want to carry a weapon or kill another human being; he wanted to save lives and that’s what he did. Desmond T. Doss rescued 75 men in Okinawa without firing a single shot and he became the first conscientious objector to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Hacksaw Ridge is based on a true story about extraordinary war hero.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: February 21, 2017
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see Desmond and his girlfriend passionately kiss. They eventually get married. They’re shown in bed together on their wedding night, under the covers.
We see a man’s bare backside.
There’s some talk regarding sex, condoms and venereal disease.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

We see numerous and disturbing war scenes. Limbs are blown off and Desmond carries many injured soldiers to safety.
Corpses covering the ground with their organs exposed. We see rats eating them.
We see soldiers killing one another.
A man hangs himself.
A man commits suicide by stabbing himself in the gut.
Desmond is attacked by his roommates one evening, leaving him bloody and bruised.
A soldier kicks Desmond in the face and punches him while calling him a coward.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “a–,” “d-mn” and h–l.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Doss’ father was an abusive alcoholic.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

Overall this is a wonderful film about a very courageous man. Parents need to be aware of the excessive and disturbing violence throughout the movie.

Independence Day: Resurgence-Teen Movie Review

It’s been twenty years and the aliens are back as Fourth of July is quickly approaching. Scientist and alien defense expert David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000 mile wide mother ship and discovers that once again, aliens are approaching Earth. With the extraterrestrial technology and massive defense system the scientists and fighter pilots are on a mission to save the planet from another alien attack. Independence Day: Resurgence is the sequel to the 1996 film Independence Day.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5
Release Date: October 18, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Teens Like It?

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

We see a couple kiss and hug. The woman jumps on her fiance and wraps her legs around him.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

Aliens destroy cities; building collapse and planes, ships and space stations are blown up.
Billions of innocent victims die.
The aliens are big large slimy creatures.
We see humans choked to death by alien tentacles.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “d–n,” “a–,” “b–ch,” and “h–l,” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

We see characters on a boat drinking heavily.

Will Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed two teenage boys who liked the action and suspense of the film. They like Independence Day as well.

Overall Independence Day: Resurgence is a dramatic action packed film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violent content throughout the film.

Allegiant-Kids’ Movie Review

Allegiant is the third installment in the Divergent series. Allegiant continues following the lives of teenager Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley), and her boyfriend Four (Theo James). In this film the couple, along with some friends, escape beyond the wall that surrounds Chicago. On the other side of the wall they discover a futuristic city. They are taken to the Bureau of Genetic Welfare where they meet David (Jeff Daniels), the head of the agency. Tris discovers that David has been watching her since the day she was born, and knows everything about her. Eventually Tris and Four decide who they can trust as they try to survive in their dystopian society.

Rating: 2 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: July 12, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids/Teens Like It? No

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

Tris and Four passionately kiss several times.
Tris takes off her clothes to take a shower, though we don’t see anything as her naked body is silhouetted.

Violent Content: Excessive

There are a lot of graphic and extremely violent battles throughout the film. Fights include punching, gunfire, and knives to the gut or neck.
There are explosions with mass chaos. Raiders take children away from their parents. People are attacked and knocked out by tiny drones.
Radiation turns the water and soil red. When it rains the water is red.

Crude and Profane Language: Mild

We hear “sh-t,” “h–l,” “d–n,” and “a–.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

A truth serum is injected into people.
A gas is administered to characters. The gas has the ability to wipe away their memories.

Will kids/teens like it? No

Fans of the Divergent series will most likely want to see this film just to complete the series, however it’s not nearly as good as the first two movies.

Overall this is an action packed sci-fi film. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies-Teen Movie Review

“A woman is either highly trained or highly refined. One cannot be both in such times,” said Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James). Set in the 19th century England, the film centers around the four Bennet sisters, all who have been highly trained to kill zombies. In the quiet English village where they live, the dead are coming back to life to terrorize the land and it’s people. Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is the determined sister who desperately wants to destroy the zombies, however she is distracted by the arrogant Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley). Between the romances, the sword fights and the zombies, the Bennet sisters and their suitors come together to try and save their country.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: May 31, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This is a very unique film and interesting film. Though very violent, teens who have read Jane Austen’s book, Pride and Prejudice, and those who also like zombies movies/ TV shows, will be highly entertained by this film.

Sexual Content: Mild

The women where revealing dresses, we see a lot of cleavage.
We see several couples kiss.
As the Bennet girls strap their knives in their boots, we see their lacy undergarments and bare legs.

Violent/Disturbing Content:

We see numerous grotesque battle scenes with the undead zombies. Creatures are stabbed, slaughtered, thrown in ovens to be baked alive, and blown up.
The zombies are scary looking creatures, their faces are bloody and deformed.
Humans fight as well, we see several brutal scenes. Character’s are shown hitting and kicking one other. We see several sword fights.
A man is shown choking a girl, she finally fights back and throws him into a pillar.
We see bodies of soldiers with holes in their heads, as someone stole their brains.
After too much alcohol consumption, Mrs. Bennet bites her daughter.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “b–tard,” and “h–l.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Characters are shown drinking at a ball. Mrs. Bennet drinks too much and gets drunk.

Will kids/ Teens Like It? Yes

I interviewed some teenagers, ages 16 and up, who loved the film. They’re fans of the TV series, The Walking Dead, and loved the zombie aspect of 19th century movie.

Overall Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an entertaining film for those who like zombie movies. Parents need to be aware of the excess violence. Depending on the child, I recommend this for kids ages 13 and up.