Parental Guidance: The Croods, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and Les Misérables
We give you what you need to know about the family-friendliness of this week's new releases.
This week in family films, prepare for a journey: we'll take you across stone age landscapes (The Croods) to Middle-earth (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) to the dusty streets of Paris (Les Misérables). Read on to find out what's appropriate for family viewing.
In Theaters This Week:
The Croods
69%
What's it about? After the cave they call home is destroyed, a stone-age family journeys across its pre-historic environs, encountering wild beasts and learning to love and trust each other along the way.
Who's it for? It's rated PG for "some scary action." Despite it's title, The Croods is pretty wholesome fare, though some little kids might be frightened by various animal attacks.
Is it any good? Critics say The Croods is a funny, charming animated tale with fantastic visuals and exciting action.
New On DVD:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
66%
What's it about? Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf go on a journey to recapture the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from an evil dragon, meeting some wild characters -- including the mischievous Gollum -- along the way.
Who's it for? It's rated PG-13 for "for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images." The film features beheadings, stabbings, characters in peril, and scary orcs and trolls, among other things, so you should probably leave the little ones at home, though teens will be fine with it.
Is it any good? Critics say The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a notable step down from the Lord of the Rings trilogy -- though it's visually stunning and well acted, it's also overlong and sometimes feels overextended.
Les Misérables
70%
What's it about? Hugh Jackman stars as Jean Valjean, an ex-con turned factory owner who takes care of his ex-employee Fantine (Anne Hathaway) and her daughter while avoiding the ruthless Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe).
Who's it for? It's rated PG-13 "suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements." It's got a couple brutal beatings, and it delves into the world of prostitution, so this is probably one for young high schoolers and up.
Is it any good? Critics say Les Misérables is often over-the-top, but the performances are excellent, and director Tom Hooper injects a sense of grit and passion to the proceedings.
Typhon Q
I doubt that kids would be able to sit through Les Mis...
On the other hand, theres always something going on in the Hobbit, so that may be a better choice.
Mar 20 - 05:31 PM
Garner Montgomery
I'm thirteen and I loved Les Mis.
Mar 20 - 06:27 PM
Matthew Reimer
I think he meant pre-teens (9-12 year olds).
Mar 20 - 08:58 PM
Typhon Q
yeah, I was thinking younger than that, like grade school age. I'd think that the whole sung through aspect would be unappealing for them. Plus, its actually a pretty serious movie.
Mar 21 - 09:31 PM
'schak Attack
I'm older but alas, musicals are not my thing. Only musical I've ever enjoyed was the Buffy tv episode "Once More with Feeling". The Hobbit, however, is dead center to my wheelhouse...
Mar 22 - 09:04 AM
Terry Bernard
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Mar 28 - 12:32 PM