War
The Book Thief-Kids Movie Review
“If your eyes could speak what would they say?” That’s what Max, a Jewish refugee, says to Liesel as he is hiding from the Nazi’s in her adoptive parent’s basement during the height of World War II. Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by death; The Book Thief is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Liesel. Liesel finds comfort and peace by reading. She steals books and reads them to her loved ones as they all deal with the horrors of World War II.
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: March 11, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 16+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will It Appeal to Kids or Teens? Yes
Talking Points:
Even though the film is about tragedies of World War II, we see many acts of kindness demonstrated by good Germans. Liesel’s adoptive father, Hans, is a kind, loving man, who makes Liesel feel welcomed and loved. Hans also welcomes Max, a persecuted Jew, into his home. He not only hides Max in their basement, he protects and cares for his well being. The friendships that Liesel developes with Max, and their neighbor Rudy is also an endearing and important part of the film.
Due to the mature subject matter, the film may not appeal to kids, however mature teens may find it interesting.Having said that, the film is very educational and will spark some great parent/child conversations regarding WWII Germany.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Characters are kicked, punched and pushed around by the Nazis.
- A boy bullies Rudy and Liesel throughout the film. In one scene Liesel fights back and punches the boy.
- We see bombings and the awful effects from the war.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “H–l,” is said once.
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will It Appeal to Kids? No
Overall The Book Thief is an amazing, heartfelt story. Though very appropriate, the storyline may not appeal to kids, but it may interest mature teens.
Ender’s Game-Kids Movie Review
Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) is a brilliant young boy who lives at home with his sadistic brother Peter, his sister Valentine, whom he is very close to, and his loving parents. Though very shy and weak, Ender is a gifted boy. Not only is he extremely intelligent, but he’s a master at war games. On Earth, there had been a horrific alien vs. human war seventy years earlier, so the military were preparing for the next attack. They were looking to enroll, smart, young boys, and they found Ender. He was pulled out of school on Earth, and sent to Battle School in space. He quickly succeeded in his new school and got promoted to Command School, where he lead his follow soldiers into battle. Ender’s Game is an action packed sci/fi film based on a young adult novel.
Rating: 4 1/2 buckets out of 5
Release Date: February 11 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will It Appeal to Teens? Yes
Talking Points:
As I previously mentioned, Ender’s Game is based on a young adult novel. Seventh grade Challenge English classes are currently reading the book for school. It will be interesting for them to compare and contrast the book from the film.
Ender is a great character. He wants to succeed and be a good leader, though very conscience and worried about always doing the right thing.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- There were several fights amongst the boys. Some bullies punched and hit Ender, however he defended himself and fought back by hitting and repeatedly kicking the boy that initiated the fight.
- While Ender was taking a shower, another boy started a fight with him; once again Ender defended himself by spraying extremely hot water on the attacker, and pushed him against a concrete wall.
- There were battles between soldiers and droids. We saw explosions and fire throughout the film.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- A character said “a–.”
Drugs and Alcohol: None
Will It Appeal to Kids? Yes
- The film will appeal to pre-teens, especially since it’s based on a young adult book.
Overall Ender’s Game is an exciting action packed sci-fi film, one that kids will enjoy. Depending on the child, I recommend this film for kids ages 10 and up. Parents need to be aware of the moderate violent content.
World War Z-Teen Movie Review
Gnashing their teeth, devouring humans and swarming in hordes with hopes to destroy the world. That’s who Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) had to contend with…Zombies. World War Z centers around the life of former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane. He was once in war zones and dealt with several crisis’, and now it was time to focus on his wife and kids. However, when confronted by a world wide pandemic of zombies, he was the man who could save humanity, he had the experience and the skill, he was the man for the job!
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: September 17, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The film was very well done! It seemed so real with great actors and amazing special effects.
Gerry (Brad Pitt) was a loving father and husband. He risked his life to help others, with hopes to save the world from the awful pandemic.
There were a lot of explosions, and character’s shot and mutilated. This film may be disturbing for some kids; see more details in the violent content.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Excessive
- As the zombies attack, we see hordes of people running and screaming trying to find safety.
- We see the zombies bite and attack innocent people, though we don’t see a lot of close up shots.
- We see humans firing guns point blank at zombies and trying to fight off the creatures.
- People are attacked and bitten by zombies. Once bitten, a victim is transformed within 12 seconds to a zombie. The transformation was disturbing to see.
- We see Gerry fighting off the zombies and crushing their skulls.
- When a soldier’s hand was bitten by a zombie, we see Gerry chop of her appendage, before the venom could spread.
- We see a plane crash and the victims falling to the ground. After the crash we see Gerry agonizing with pain, as a piece of metal is stuck in his side.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as; “sh-t,” “h—,” “a–,” “b–ch,” and “b–tard were said several times each throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see character’s drinking beer.
- Gerry injects himself with a drug.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- Kids that like horror films, will most likely be captivated by this movie.
World War Z is a zombie, action packed thriller movie. Depending on the kid, and whether they like this type of movie, I feel this is appropriate for kids ages 13 and up. Parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film.
War Horse Review
Typically one would think of a dog as a man’s best friend, though maybe not for a farmer’s son. This is a story about a teenage boy, Albert, and his horse, Joey. Albert has a remarkable bond with Joey as he teaches his horse to become the best plow horse in town. Unfortunately, Albert’s father is forced to sell the horse to the Army, since he can’t pay the rent. Now we see Joey’s remarkable journey as he travels throughout Europe from owner to owner, hoping to reunite with Albert. War Horse is based on a children’s book, set in England and Europe during World War I.
Rating: 3 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: December 25, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12 +
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content:Moderate
See a clip of my review here, along with We Bought a Zoo!
Talking Points:
Most of us have seen many war stories. What make’s this film different and what I like about this film is that you see the war from the perspective of a horse. You could feel the horse’s pain and suffering during the war as if he was a soldier fighting for our country.
War Horse was an educational film. I didn’t realize the importance of horses during WWI. I read that,” Britain sent more than 1 million horses to war between 1914 and 1918. Just 62,000 returned.” The war aspect of the film could spark an interesting conversation with kids.
I thought it was interesting to see a German and British soldier come together in No Man’s Land to save Joey, as he was tangled in barbed wire.
As the horse traveled throughout the war it was interesting to meet his various owners, and see them deal with the war, while also hoping to survive.
Though the film is based on a children’s book, this is a war story, and may be a little long and boring for some kids.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: Moderate
- Initially we see a field of dead men and horses.
- There are many explosions and gun fire throughout the film.
- We see people with missing limbs and scared faces.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “B-tard” is said, and “h–l,” is said a couple times.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- Ted, Albert’s father, drinks regularly throughout the film.
Overall War Horse was a well done film with a wonderful storyline about a boy and his horse. Since it is a war movie, the mature subject matter may not interest many kids.
Red Tails Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Red Tails centers around the struggles and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944, during World War ll. They are a group of courageous African-American fighter pilots, with hand-me down planes and uneventful missions. They’re viewed as inferior and inadequate pilots, only because of their race. However, things dramatically change when the U.S. military finally gives them a chance to fight for our country, and help win the war. Red Tails is based on an amazing true story, with a wonderful message about overcoming racism; it’s a great educational and entertaining movie for the family!!
Talking Points:
I absolutely loved this story! The movie will spark some great parent/child conversations about segregation. In the film we saw the two races come together to defeat the enemies, and not each other.
Not only was the film exciting and educational, the characters were great. I also enjoyed the different story lines about the pilot’s relationships they encountered during the war.
The movie seemed cleaned up. It was like it was a story told by a grandfather to his grandson. This was nice and clearly made it more appropriate for children. The special effects looked like a movie from the 1960’s; this was a little strange, but refreshing as well.
As I previously mentioned I loved the story, and I liked the characters, though the acting was not good at all, which surprised me. However, my 14 year old didn’t seem to notice the poor acting, as I’m sure most kids won’t.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Lightening, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, was known as a ladies man, though things change when he meets his true love as he’s flying over a town and notices a beautiful women.
- The couple kiss, and it’s implied that they’ve had a sexual encounter.
Violent Content: Moderate
- This is a war movie, though not as graphic as most war films. We see planes being destroyed by explosions.
- Many of the pilots are shown wounded with blood and severe injuries.
- We see several characters blown up and on fire.
- Character’s fight in a bar, initiated by racial comments.
Crude and Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as “a–,” “s–t,” “b–ch” and “d–n,” are used several times throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- One of the main characters has a drinking problem. We see him drinking out of a flask several times throughout the film.
- Character’s are shown drinking and smoking at an officer’s club.
Depending on the child, this is a great film for kids ages 9 and up. However, parents need to be aware of the moderate profanity, and violent scenes, (though not as violent as most war movies). This is a wonderful film that once again demonstrates the fact that all men are truly created equal.