Can't decide which movie is best suited to your children?
Here's a top line review of some recently release kids movies... to help you decide which ones to get! Happy movie-watching.
ALIENS IN THE ATTIC
CRITIC'S RATING: 6/10
Story: Live action fantasy. Fifteen-year-old Tom (Carter Jenkins) dreads spending the holidays with his parents, his boy-mad sister (Ashley Tisdale) and his bullying cousin. Then aliens, with sneaky mind-control devices, invade.
Language: One low-level swear word.
Sex: Brief "lip hugging".
Violence: Nanna turns zombie? Cue the ninja fights!
Ages: 3-6: Too many Gremlins moments.
7-12: Perfect audience for classic kids-rule fantasy.
13-plus: The rubbery computer-generated aliens are boring; Tisdale fans should note this is mostly boys-own adventure.
Adult compatibility: Creaky, although parents will sympathise with harassed dad: “If you're smart enough to hack the school computer, you're smart enough to pass maths!”
UP
CRITIC'S RATING: 8/10
Story: The latest animated delight from WALL.E's makers. An old man (voiced by Ed Asner) uses thousands of balloons to fly his house away. But “the one who smells of prunes” has unexpected visitors: a chubby pre-teen, an exotic bird called Kevin and a talking dog.
Language: “Oops!” is it.
Sex: Discreet kisses.
Violence: Scary dogs, sword fight, death themes.
Ages: 3-6: Will love the slapstick but parents note the scary mutts.
7-12: Perfect audience for riotous slapstick – if they survive a 20-minute set-up.
13-plus: Ditto.
Adult compatibility: Heart-warming hit, peppered with sly jokes, such as a squeaky-voiced dog-pack leader.
PUSH
CRITIC'S RATING: 8/10
Story: Live action thriller about kids with special powers. "Watcher" Cassie (Twilight 2: New Moon star Dakota Fanning) sees the future; Nick (Chris Evans) moves objects, while Kira (Camilla Belle) scrambles people's minds. Trapped in Hong Kong, the trio battle the ultimate mind-scrambler (Djimon Hounsou).
Language: High-level swear words.
Sex: Hot kisses.
Violence: Non-stop fights, blows and shoot-outs.
Ages: 3-6: Push off. You don't need to be a Watcher to know that this will provoke nightmares.
7-12: Parents won't be thrilled by 13-year-old Cassie's skimpy prosti-tot outfit.
13-plus: Older teens will enjoy a fast, well-made adventure, part-Clockstoppers, part X-Men.
Adult compatibility: High, thanks to a terrific cast.
DINOSAURS ALIVE 3-D
CRITIC'S RATING: 7/10
Story: Large-format dinosaur documentary blends a few minutes of breathtaking special effects (recreating prehistoric creatures) with scientific chat (did dinos have feathers?)
Language: No thank you, we're serious.
Sex: Ditto.
Violence: Fierce dino fights, enhanced by Jurassic Park visual quality.
Ages: 3-6: During the chatty bits, the rug-rats in the next row kept asking: “When it's going to start?” But they loved the 3-D-enhanced flying objects.
7-12: The archaeologist hailed as inspiring Indiana Jones impressed.
13-plus: They'll need more than 3-D gimmickry.
Adult compatibility: Low but 42 minutes of kid silence is priceless.
G-FORCE
CRITIC'S RATING: 7/10
Story: Live action fantasy. A deranged businessman (Bill Nighy) wants to turn household appliances into lethal weapons. Who're you going to call? G-Force, of course: a team of specially trained guinea pigs (voiced by Penelope Cruz, Sam Rockwell) and their brainy mole pal (Nicolas Cage). Just don't call them hamsters.
Language: No way, you ferret!
Sex: “You put a bow on me, you lose a finger” nukes any romance.
Violence: Constant threats, gun references.
Ages: 3-6: It's edgier than Alvin and the Chipmunks but they'll love a farting hamster – oops, we mean guinea pig.
7-12: Not Babe but neat computerised animals will please.
13-plus: They'll prefer the (more expensive) 3-D version.
Adult compatibility: Gimmicky slapstick is numbing.
PAPER HEART
CRITIC'S RATING: 8/10
Story: Young stand-up comedienne Charlyne Yi has never fallen in love. As she interviews couples across the US for a documentary on romance, she and actor Michael Cera (Juno; Superbad) start to hang out. Is this real life or a movie? You be the judge.
Language: Two swear words.
Sex: References.
Violence: None.
Ages: 3-6: Over their heads.
7-12: No.
13-plus: Older fans of Juno will love clever romantic comedy with – finally! – real gals and guys on screen.
Adult compatibility: Ditto!
SHORTS
CRITIC'S RATING: 8/10
Story: Live action fantasy from Spy Kids director. When he finds a magical wishing rock, bullied 11-year-old Toe (Jimmy Bennett) wants friends. What he gets are tiny aliens, giant bugs and a rapidly growing piece of snot.
Language: “Doctor dumb-butt!” is it.
Sex: This flick fast-forwards over icky bits.
Violence: Punches, scary crocodiles.
Ages: 3-6: A genius baby will score but the action is vivid.
7-12: Perfect audience for funny, fast fantasy that – stop the presses! – uses good story-telling to tickle kids' imaginations.
13-plus: They'll say it's too young but secretly have a ball.
Adult compatibility: High. Writer-director Robert Rodriguez knows how to pick great (child) actors.
IMAGINE THAT
CRITIC'S RATING: 7/10
Story: Workaholic Evan (Eddie Murphy) only listens to his little daughter when her "imaginary" friends start giving him money-making tips. Will distracted dad keep singing, dancing and playing dress-ups even if the tips don't work?
Language: Two low-level swear words.
Sex: None.
Violence: Threats.
Ages: 3-6: The business chat might bore them but they'll love the strong kid presence.
7-12: Perfect audience for reassuring father-daughter comedy.
13-plus: Too young.
Adult compatibility: Daddy Day Care star Murphy delivers another pleasant family movie.
