The Giver-Kids Movie Reviews

Imagine living in a community where everything’s the same. A life without ups and downs, a life without working on a goal to be the best you can be, and sadly a life without any emotions, even love. That’s where Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) lives, a pre-teen boy in a world where “Sameness” was created and a place controlled by the Elders. Life changes for Jonas the day he is chosen to be the Receiver of Memory, the special person in the community who receives memories from The Giver (Jeff Bridges). When Jonas spends time with The Giver, he begins to feel emotions of joy, happiness, sadness, pain and much more, he comes to realize that this is how life is meant to be. So Jonas decides to do something about his dystopian environment, to change the world of “Sameness” to a world with challenges, goals and more importantly, a world with love.

Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: November 24, 2014
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

Talking Points:

The film is based on a young adult novel, The Giver, and required reading for most middle school aged kids.  The subject matter of a place without pain and suffering, without any emotions… good or bad, will spark some interesting parent child conversations.

There is an all-star cast, starring Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges.

Sexual Content:

• A couple passionately kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

• We see a man inserting a needle into a baby’s head.
• Jonas hits a guy in the face.
• In Jonas’ memory we see images of war, where characters are shot and killed.
• Elephants are shot and killed for their ivory.

Crude or Profane Language: None

Drugs and Alcohol: Mild

• Residents in the community are injected daily with drugs to keep their emotions under control.

Will it Appeal to kids/ teens? Yes

•   I interviewed kids ages 10 and 11, all of whom loved the movie and found it true to the book.

Overall this is a wonderful thought provoking film. Depending on the child, this is appropriate for kids ages 10 and up.

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