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Summer Movie Reviews
By Kimberly Gadette
July 2007
Summer is here! Along
with applying judicious amounts of summer sunblock, following is
a review that just might help in applying a bit of parental "screen
block" as
well.
SPIDER-MAN 3
Staring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst
MPAA Rating—predicted: PG-13 (prior Spider-Man movies were
rated PG-13 for "stylized action violence")
Plot: Happy Peter Parker, balancing girlfriend M.J. with his Spider-Man
duties, doesn't remain happy for long. He becomes quickly tangled
in a web of three villains (Sandman, Venom and Green Goblin, returning
via Osborne's vengeful son). Spider-Man also battles his own inner
demon, as depicted by a new black suit that literally, painfully
pulls at him. Per producer Avi Arad, this film's goal was to "beat
up Peter Parker harder, to see if he can take it, to see if he's
still a hero."
Concerns: Between a sand-dune Goliath, his face contorted in rage,
a black webbed shell consuming both Spider-Man and Venom (graphically
crawling up their faces as if to suffocate them), a gas chamber
filled with poisonous green smoke that converts Harry into the
Green Goblin, sadistic weapons and deathly battles, parents need
to assess this film carefully.
SHREK THE THIRD
Voices: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake
MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling
action
Plot: The King (Fiona's father) is dying. Though Shrek is heir
apparent, all he wishes to rule is his beloved swamp. Joined by
Donkey and Puss-in-Boots, he sets off to find the rightful heir—Fiona's
underachieving, teenage cousin Artie. With Shrek gone, Fiona and
her princess gal-pals have to fend off a coup led by evil Prince
Charming.
Concerns: Prior Shrek films have elicited complaints over potty
humor. There are anatomical jokes, some sexual innuendo that will
fly over children's heads, and a projectile vomiting scene. A populated
sailing ship burns, causing the passengers to jump overboard. Alternatively,
the themes of acceptance, loyal friendship, girl power and selfless
love, combined with the fun of viewing fairytale stars in different
settings, far outweigh some of the cruder humor.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END
Staring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence
and some frightening images
Plot: Captain Jack is rescued from Davy Jones' locker. The three
heroes must sail off the edge of the map to confront their foes.
They call on the Pirate Lords from around the world to join them
in a final battle—not just against their own extinction,
but in a fight to defend the entire swashbuckling nation.
Concerns: The tentacled beast who entrapped Jack returns, along
with the undulating, octopus-faced Davy Jones. But many of the
sea/pirate monsters from the prior film are gone, with the conflict
now concentrated on battling the water itself (whirlpools, tidal
waves, a precarious duel on a mast during a storm). There is colorful
pirate language, and battles with characters who are killed and/or
drowned. Even worse, rock legend Keith Richards appears as Jack's
father…which could easily frighten anyone at any age!
HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE
PHOENIX
Staring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
MPAA Rating—predicted: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence
and frightening images.
Plot: In his fifth year of study, Harry Potter is faced with the
unreliability of adults, both at the Ministry of Magic as well
as Hogwarts. With Dumbledore stripped of power, Harry takes matters
into his own hands, choosing a small group of students ("Dumbledore's
Army") who will learn how to defend themselves against the gathering
forces of evil.
Concerns: With Voldemort back in power, the threat of death to
Harry and his friends intensifies. The film opens with Dementors
(hooded fiends, decayed hands, no eyes) attacking Harry and his
cousin. The new authority at Hogwarts, Dolores Umbridge, is a sadist—during
detention, she forces Harry to write his repentance in his own
blood. A well-loved character is murdered. Though the heroes remain
noble, the negative slant on weak authority figures might add to
parents' objections.
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