kids movie review
Life of the Party-Kids’ Movie Review
She purchases her Archaeology 301 book, her Decatur University sweatshirt, and eagerly moves into the dorms. Deanna (Melissa McCarthy) is not your typical college student, she’s been a dedicated mother and housewife whose husband unexpectedly leaves. Feeling regret that she didn’t finish her bachelor’s degree, Deanna ends up back to the college she previously attended, and it’s the college that her daughter currently attends. Now this middle aged college student hangs out with her daughter, and her daughter’s sorority sisters, and discovers what she missed years ago.
Rating: 3 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: August 7, 2018
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- Melissa McCarthy is a very popular actress. She appeals to tweens and teens with her comedic roles. Parents are wondering is this a sweet and innocent role for Melissa McCarthy, like she plays in the TV series Gilmore Girls, or is this a role like in Bridesmaids? See details below…
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are many sexual jokes and references throughout the film. For example they talk about Deanna’s “mom boobs.”
- Deanna frequently hooks up with a frat boy and spends the night with him.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
- There is some silly slapstick violence. Deanna is hit with a paddle during sorority initiation.
- Several women destroy a beautiful wedding reception.
- Two women get in a fight: they push and hit one another.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “s–t, “a–,” “d-mn,” “b–ch” throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- We see many frat parties with college students drinking (some are underage).
- Characters’ drink shots of tequila, wine and beer.
- Some girls accidentally eat chocolate bark infused with marijuana. We see them very high.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is a funny and entertaining film. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the sexual references, drug and alcohol contents, and moderate profane language throughout the film.
Justice League-Kids Movie Reivew
The world is mourning a beloved superhero’s death…Superman! While Batman is in Gotham City (Ben Affleck) he tries to keep things in line but it’s hard without friend. Crime is up and the people of Gotham are feeling down. Things get even worse as Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) informs Batman that Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), an evil supervillian, has returned and wants to destroy the world. So Batman and Wonder Woman recruit a group of allies to form a team known as Justice League. Now this superhero team tries to save the world from the evil villain. Justice League is based on DC Comics’ superhero adventures.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 13, 2018
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see couples kissing.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
- There is a lot of super-hero violence such as explosions and destruction.
- There are a lot of battles. Character’s are shown fighting with swords, guns, hammers and fist fights.
- A giant monster destroys buildings, throws superheroes around, and kills people.
- A resurrected Superman is extremely angry and fights with Batman.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear “sh-t,” ‘a–,” b–ch,” “d–n,” and “h—.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see a character drinking whiskey.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is an entertaining film, especially for superhero fans. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the excessive violence throughout the film.
Spider-Man: Homecoming-Kids’ Movie Review
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) was on cloud nine after his so called “internship” with Tony Stark/Iron Man ((Robert Downey Jr.) and his new role as Spider Man. When Peter returns home to his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) he tries to live a relatively normal life as a high school student. However, he is preoccupied with his Spider-Man identity and desperately wants to use his powers to save lives. The only problem is that Tony Stark hasn’t been in touch with Peter, and his assistant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) doesn’t return Peter’s messages. Eventually, Peter decides to put on his suit and be the neighborhood superhero. He stops petty thieves, and even helps old ladies with directions. Peter’s life dramatically changes the night he catches some crooks stealing money from an ATM, and they have some very high tech and unusual weapons. Now Peter tries to find the villain who made the glowing and intense weapons and put his powers to the test. Spider-Man Homecoming is an entertaining film that will especially appeal to pre-teens and teens.
Rating: 3 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: October 17, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) is a father figure to Peter. Peter wants to wear his Spider Man suit and use his powers to help people. He tells Stark that he’s nothing without his suit. Tony says, “If you’re nothing without the suit, you shouldn’t have it.” Peter eventually learns what being a hero really means.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We see a couple of kisses.
- There’s a reference to watching porn.
- Teenagers are shown flirting with one another.
- There’s a suggestive comment made about Peter’s Aunt.
- Teen girls play a game called “F, marry, kill.”
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- We hear the f-word, “sh-t,” “a–,” “b–tard,” “d–n,” and “h—.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- A teen party shows kids drinking out of red Solo cups.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall this is a fun and entertaining film for kids ages 10 and up.
Beauty and the Beast-Kids’ Movie Review
Belle (Emma Watson) is a smart and beautiful young woman who lives alone with her widower father. Belle doesn’t have many friends and is not very close with the townspeople. They find her very odd because she loves to read books, something they don’t appreciate. Belle’s life dramatically changes when she is taken prisoner in a castle by a beast (Dan Stevens). Belle doesn’t know it, but the Beast is a cursed, arrogant prince who must find true love in order to break a spell. Though the Beast has a hideous exterior, Belle befriends the monster-like character and the castle’s enchanted staff. She eventually realizes that the Beast is a kind soul whom she falls in love with. Beauty and the Beast is Disney’s live-action remake of the classic 1991 animated musical.
Rating: 4.5 popcorn buckets out of 5
Release Date: June 6, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- The film highlights the importance of humility.
- Belle is a loving daughter who is willing to do whatever it takes to insure her father’s well being.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Character’s flirt with the opposite sex and the same sex.
- LeFou briefly dances with a man. He’s confused as he’s trying to figure out his sexual preference.
- Female characters wear dresses that show their cleavage.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
- There are intense and scary scenes throughout the film. More graphic violence in this version than in the animated version.
- Vicious wolves attack several characters.
- There’s a battle between the townspeople and servants in the castle.
- We see mob violence with pitchforks and torches.
- There’s an intense battle between the Beast and an attacker. They fight with fists, claws and guns.
- The Beast may scare young kids with his growl and loud roar.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- Name calling such as; “idiot,” and “fool.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see characters drinking at a local tavern.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- The theater was filled with attentive kids who loved the movie.
Overall this is a wonderful film for the whole family. Having said that, parents need to be aware of the moderate violence that may scare sensitive kids.
The Lego Batman Movie-Kids’ Movie Review
They’re all back; Batman (Will Arnett) and his sidekick Robin (Michael Cera), his loyal butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes), and of course his arch nemesis the Joker (Zach Galifianakis)… all as Lego’s. In this film Batman wants to stop the Joker from his hostile takeover of Gotham City, the only problem is Batman thinks he can do it alone. Eventually Batman comes to realize he might just need a little help from his friends and cohorts to save his beloved city.
Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: June 13, 2017
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
- The film highlights the importance of teamwork and family. Batman is humbled and realizes he can’t do everything by himself.
- There’s some potty-humor in the film. There are references to “farts” and being “silent but deadly.”
- There are a lot of butt jokes as well. Batman refers to Alfred as his “Buttler.”
Sexual Content: Mild
- Bruce Wayne labels himself as a “playboy.”
- Batman loves his body and well built physique.
- There’s a lot of humor relating to Robin’s given name, Dick.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
- There’s a lot of slapstick, silly violence.
- We see superheroes and villains get beat up, bashed and blown up.
- There are a lot of bad guys and battles throughout the film.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- We hear, “butt,” “loser,” and “sucks.”
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Batman and his butler Alfred discuss different kinds of wines.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- I interviewed kids ages 5 to 8 who loved the film. Having said that, one 5 year old girl was scared, and didn’t like all the fighting.
Overall this is a fun, entertaining film for the whole family. Parents need to be aware of the mild potty humor and moderate violence throughout the film. I recommend this for kids ages 7 and up.