For all concerned parents, grandparents and guardians who want a more comprehensive tour though the mine-fields of the alphabet soup of G, PG, PG-13 and R, here’s a look at the first two months of 2012′s family summer films (MPAA cautionary language quoted as available)
FOR MAY THROUGH JUNE, 2012:
5/04/12
“THE AVENGERS” (3D, Real 3D, IMAX)
starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (“for intense sequences of sci-fi violence”)
Plot: One-eyed Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D, an international peacekeeping agency boasting a roster of super heroes including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges, threatening global safety and security, Fury must recruit all his super hero specialists. Reticent at first, they realize they’ll have to work together as a team in order to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.
Concerns: Think of this Marvel/Disney movie as a group of X-Men on steroids, accompanied by amplified sound and eye-popping digital effects. Buildings explode, fireballs devour streets, and an untold number of vehicles fly straight at the audience in inimitable 3D style. Other than a larger Incredible Hulk, the good guys aren’t scary. And mastermind villain Loki, sporting a cane, seems akin to a comical version of Willy Wonka. However, the film’s 9/11 look of destruction could easily disturb.
5/18/12
“BATTLESHIP”
starring: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna, Liam Neeson
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (“for intense sequences of violence, action and destruction”)
Plot: Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, a small fleet of naval ships on exercise off the Hawaiian islands is suddenly pitted against an alien force that’s been lying in wait in the ocean to commence a full-scale attack on planet Earth. The fate of the world rests in the hands of a plucky few. Pop star Rihanna plays a naval artillery woman, ready to do battle with menacing robots twice her size.
Concerns: This is Transformers at sea (Hasbro created both), with wide-scale destruction – or, as one character states, “It’s an extinction-level event.” Glass and concrete buildings crash down, freeways crumple, people die. The aliens’ implements of doom blast from the motherships, looking for all the world like giant mechanized yo-yos, equipped with destructive tails that lash out and split planes in two. Additionally, there’s a sexual situation on the beach and one-on-one battles between our heroes and the steel monsters. Parents may want to screen first.
5/25/12
“MEN IN BLACK 3″ (3D, IMAX 3D)
starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Rip Torn, Emma Thompson
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (“for sci-fi action violence and brief suggestive content”)
Plot: This sci-fi action comedy looks wackier than the prior two: Agent J (Will Smith) time-travels to 1969, to stop the assassination of a young Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones in the present, Josh Brolin in the past). If J doesn’t succeed, history will be forever altered. He discovers secrets to the universe that K has previously withheld – secrets he’ll finally learn as he teams up with the younger K, saving his partner, the agency and the future of humankind.
Concerns: Agent J is instructed to get “high,” and reacts positively to the idea … followed with a quick correction that he needs to climb “high” up on a skyscraper in order to jump back to 1969. There’s some questionable language, i.e., “dumb ass” and “pimp.” Expect the franchise’s usual slimy CG effects, e.g., a giant goldfish and a yards’-long human tongue. Younger audiences won’t understand the ’60s references, including the joke that Andy Warhol is indeed an alien.
Kristen Stewart as Snow White in "Snow White and the Huntsman"
6/01/12
“SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN”
starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (“for intense sequences of violence and action and brief sensuality”)
Plot: In this medieval epic action/adventure, as per the fairy tale, Snow White’s beauty eclipses that of the Evil Queen’s. The Queen learns that in order to remain young and beautiful for eternity, she must capture Snow White and eat her heart. When Snow White escapes to the malevolent Dark Forest, a Huntsman is hired to find her. But he quickly changes from hunter to protector, helping Snow White amass an army to vanquish the Evil Queen forevermore.
Concerns: Multiple sequences of intense battle warfare featuring swords, lances, knives, battle axes, etc. Frightening faces appear in the body of tree trunks, large snakes slither, and a gigantic minotaur, with grotesque teeth, threatens to devour Snow White whole. The mirror transforms into a gold faceless ghost, and the Queen herself turns into flocks of black, murderous birds. The concept of a person consuming a victim’s beating, bloody heart is highly disturbing. Mild sensuality as well. Strongly advise parental caution.
6/08/12
“MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED” (3D)
Voice Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith
MPAA Rating: PG (“for some mild action and rude humor”)
Plot: In this third installment of the colorful animated comedy adventure, the lion, the zebra, the giraffe, the hippo and the penguins are still trying to return home to their beloved NYC. This film takes them through Europe, where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus. Other than having to work up a convincing circus act, they’ll have to avoid capture from the zealous animal control officer (voiced by Frances McDormand).
Concerns: Few. The most menacing character is the French animal control officer, who proudly displays the mounted head of a puppy in her office. But rather than her engendering any real fear, the concern for younger audiences will be in comprehension, given her heavy French accent. Given that the earlier films having been rated PG, due to “mild crude humor,” that assessment echoes here as well. With a screenplay by indie satirist Noah Baumbach, the film may have an edgier tone than the prior installments.
6/15/12
“ROCK OF AGES”
starring: Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (“for sexual content, suggestive dancing, some heavy drinking and language”)
Plot: Having directed and choreographed the 2007 Broadway-to-movie musical hit “Hairspray,” Adam Shankman is at it again, adapting the stage musical “Rock of Ages” to film. Set in L.A. in 1987, two dreamy-eyed kids (Sherrie and Drew) have plans to hit the big time. Working at the same nightclub, they fall in love at first sight … but their romance will go through challenges as they struggle with their careers in the frenetic world of the Sunset Strip.
Concerns: This musical is geared toward teens/tweens. Staged in a Hollywood nightclub in the late 80s, expect multiple references to drugs and alcohol, and sexual situations. However, framed as a musical, the subject matter will be somewhat diluted. Given all the popular dance and musical TV shows such as Glee, as well as the films Footloose and Step Up (the next sequel releasing in July), parents should expect that their children, particularly the girls, will clamor to go. Suggest parental viewing first.
6/22/12
“BRAVE”
Voice Cast: Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane
MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG
Plot: The first Pixar film to feature a female lead, this animated tale follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus. Determined to follow her own path, she defies an age-old custom, inadvertently bringing chaos to her Scottish highland kingdom. Merida must call on all of her skills and resources – including her mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a terrible curse, as she discovers the meaning of true bravery.
Concerns: As the splashy Pixar/Disney joint production, the studios have aggressively promoted this tale as “signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages around the world have come to eagerly expect.” There’s some rude humor (e.g., an old Scot moons others), some characters’ thick Scottish brogues may sometimes intrude on the dialogue, and a menacing12-foot bear may frighten young viewers. But the mix of thrilling adventure, wacky characters and a strong female role model should prove “Brave” to be a top-notch, family-friendly choice this summer.
6/29/12
“G.I. JOE: RETALIATION”
starring: Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki
MPAA Rating—Predicted: PG-13 (as per the prior 2009 film)
Plot: The Hasbro action figure franchise about an elite military unit continues. Channing Tatum returns, joined by the added muscle of Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis. When bad guy Zartan takes out a multitude of men, framing the G.I Joe operatives as traitors, and succeeds in his plan to control the world’s leaders, it’s up to the remaining Joes to band together and strike back. Hence the name, “Retaliation.”
Concerns: As a high-octane actioner that’s light on plot and heavy on artillery, expect tons of TNT, flying cars, exploding set pieces, and a sizable body count (including a funeral scene). During one particular battle, while the duels in mid-air between characters hanging from the sides of mountains are riveting, those who lose will crash down to their deaths below. If parents vetoed the first “G.I. Joe,” this sequel proves similarly problematic, but with even grittier and more realistic effects.
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