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Family Movie Guide
By STEVE PERSALL
© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 9, 2001
The Family Movie Guide should be used along with the Motion Picture Association of America rating system for selecting movies suitable for children. Only films rated G, PG or PG-13 are included in this weekly listing, along with occasional R-rated films that may have entertainment or educational value for older children with parental guidance. Films are categorized as "recommended" for family viewing, "recommended with reservations" and "not recommended" for family viewing, with a description of content that led to that categorization. Compiled by St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall.
RECOMMENDED
Cats & Dogs C+
(PG) -- The rivalry between canines and felines goes high tech, with talking animals involved in spy games. No profanity, nudity or sexual themes. Violence is mostly slapstick, but it's occasionally disturbing to see household pets catapulted into the air or smashing into walls and telephone poles. Parents should remind children that Fido and Whiskers at home can't do those tricks.
Cyberworld B+
(G) -- Harmless assortment of computer-generated doodles looking more impressive in IMAX 3-D. No sex, violence, nudity or profanity, but a few mildly scary creatures are included. Most of the animation is abstract and elaborate, although a scene from Antz and some escapades with The Simpsons are tossed in for audience appeal.
Journey Into Amazing Caves A
(Not rated, probably PG) -- True-life perils of scientists exploring caverns are expanded into IMAX proportions at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa. Nothing objectionable, though tense situations and the sensory overload of IMAX-size sight and sound could upset some viewers. Overall, a fine documentary filmed underneath Arizona, Greenland and Mexico.
The Princess Diaries B-
(G) Nothing objectionable about this Disney confection, starring Anne Hathaway as an awkward teenager who learns she's royalty. Garry Marshall's movie is shamelessly old-fashioned, showcasing teens without vices and Mary Poppins herself -- a.k.a Julie Andrews -- as a Pygmalion-style teacher for the budding princess.
Shrek B
(PG) A gently mocking animated fairy tale about an ogre (voice of Mike Myers) rescuing a spellbound princess (Cameron Diaz). Viewers will hear a few mild profanities and sexual innuendoes that will sail over the heads of children. Violence is minimal, although some effects might frighten youngsters. Shrek is short (89 min.) and sweet.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Atlantis: The Lost Empire B+
(PG) -- Disney's summer dose of animation doesn't contain cute talking creatures, and nobody breaks into zip-a-dee-doo-dah tunes. It's an old-fashioned adventure along the lines of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or any Indiana Jones flick. The lack of slapstick and plush toy heroes could disappoint young viewers. Also, the violence factor is higher than usual, with more gunfire than in any previous Disney 'toon. Mild profanity.
Dr. Dolittle 2 C
(PG) -- Crude humor about body functions and animal husbandry make Eddie Murphy's latest comedy a questionable choice for children. No profanity, but several stoops to toilet jokes and sexual innuendo. No violence, nudity or overt sexuality.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within C
(PG-13) -- The popular video game becomes the most lifelike animated film produced so far. The story is pure science-fiction hogwash with plenty of outer space violence. The process of creating human "actors" that look this genuine is impressive. No nudity or sex, but Dr. Aki Ross (voice of Ming Na) is another in the Lara Croft vein of shapely heroines in skintight costumes. Mild profanity.
Jurassic Park III C+
(PG-13) -- Children love dinosaurs, and most don't mind being frightened by them, judging from the appeal of the first two Jurassic Park movies. This one contains more prehistoric creatures and science fiction violence than either preceding film. Several intense dinosaur confrontations could inspire nightmares in sensitive children. Otherwise, it's the same roar-and-rumble fun as the original.
Legally Blonde B-
(PG-13) -- Dumb-blond stereotypes are the root of this college-age comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. The image of blonds takes a beating until one sorority queen (Witherspoon) wows the professors at Harvard Law School. Moderate profanity and a few sex-related wisecracks, but no nudity or violence.
Osmosis Jones B
(PG) -- Lively blend of Bill Murray and animated, irreverent lessons in human anatomy. Chris Rock is the voice of a white blood cell pursuing a deadly virus (Laurence Fishburne). No profanity, nudity or violence, just loads of crude humor about biological processes, at least those with PG-friendly body fluids. It's all in good, gross-out fun that some parents may not appreciate.
Planet of the Apes B+
(PG-13) -- Tim Burton's re-invention of the 1968 sci-fi classic contains more violence than the original, with some scenes rivaling the scary potential of Jurassic Park III. Mild profanity and a smidgen of sensuality.
Tomb Raider C-
(PG-13) -- Parents concerned about video game influences on impressionable minds should be wary of this one. Tomb Raider is one of the most popular video games ever, with loads of battling creatures and an impossibly busty heroine. In this live-action version, starring Angelina Jolie, there are plenty of violent confrontations, nightmarish monsters and sensuality.
NOT RECOMMENDED
A.I. Artificial Intelligence B
(PG-13) -- Steven Spielberg's futuristic twist on Pinocchio, with a robot child (Haley Joel Osment) yearning to be a real, live boy. The movie is too long (145 min.) and complex for small children, with gruesome images of maimed androids to inspire nightmares. Sexual situations include a robotic male prostitute (Jude Law) at work. Moderate profanity. Mature themes include mortality issues and social allegories that may sail past youngsters.
America's Sweethearts B
(PG-13) -- Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Cusack form an unlikely Hollywood love triangle in this adult-minded comedy. Mild slapstick violence and moderate profanity, plus some crude humor and sexually charged material. Inside jokes about movie studio egos won't register with many children, and mature themes including infidelity could raise uncomfortable questions for parents.
The Fast and the Furious B-
(PG-13) -- Gangs of larcenous street racers breaking every traffic law known to mankind aren't good role models for young viewers. Especially with some of the profane language, sexual situations, violence and brief nudity involved in their daily decadence. However, teenagers are likely to enjoy this movie as a forbidden-fruit fantasy. That means parents should discuss the advantages of responsible driving after the show.
Moulin Rouge B
(PG-13) -- Baz Luhrmann's scandalous Parisian fantasy is too sophisticated for young viewers with its wildly original cinematic style and bawdy material. Nicole Kidman plays a singer whose prostitution is a key element of the plot. Sexual situations include Cabaret-style decadence, strong suggestions of rape. Mild profanity and violence.
Rush Hour 2 C-
(PG-13) -- Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker team again for a crude-humored, violent cop adventure. Many of the jokes are steeped in racial stereotypes and sexism. Violence is mostly of the martial arts variety, with some gunfire and explosions added. Moderate profanity, brief rear nudity and sexual situations, including a brothel visit.
The Others B
(PG-13) -- This ghost story starring Nicole Kidman doesn't contain any violence, profanity, nudity and only a brief bit of sensuality. However, the plot hinges upon issues of child endangerment and mortality that could upset younger viewers. Slow pacing won't satisfy them, either, in a film that doesn't resort to cheap, crowd-pleasing shocks.
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