“Finding Entertainment Appropriate for Kids,” or FEAK, runs every Friday and discusses places – mainly the movie theaters – where parents can look to find things for their kids to watch over the weekend.
The second weekend in February brings not only Valentine’s Day but also President’s Day and the Winter Olympics. Can you say “long weekend?” That means it’s time to roll out the new movies and this week is huge at the multiplex. There’s something for the male audience, “The Wolfman,” rated R, something for the female audience, “Valentine’s Day,” rated PG-13, and something for the kids, “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.”
Let’s start with the last one first. We put up an in depth review of “Percy Jackson” right here. So click this to read about the ins and outs of the movie. But, maybe you’ve already decided you want to see the movie. Is it appropriate for kids?
95% yes.
“Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief” will teach your kids about being independent, about the importance of their parents and much more. However, there is a scene that takes place in a Las Vegas hotel where the trio of heroes basically get drugged into a euphoric state so as to impede their journey. Thematically, it fits in the world of Greek Gods that the film creates but I was taken back a bit by the scene. Plus, we then get a montage of them in dance clubs and literally gambling in the casino. These kids are WELL underage. And yes, the ‘drug’ is a piece of food that’s meant to hold them there because it’s being administered by bad people, but still, the scene is a bit out of place. It’s not exactly inappropriate but it might raise unwanted questions.
Other than that, though, “Percy Jackson” will likely thrill your kids and gets a moderate recommendation.
Your young daughters will undoubtedly want to see “Valentine’s Day” this weekend too. With an incredible list of stars in the cast including Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway and ever Taylor Launter and Taylor Swift – it’s going to be hard to keep any member of the female species away.
However, the film is rated PG-13 for “some sexual material and brief partial nudity” which basically means parents should hold true to the 13 rating. Despite some of their favorite stars being in the film, it’s largely about Valentine’s Day being miserable and many young girls won’t understand that. Plus there’s a whole lot of sex. Not graphic in anyway, but that’s how adults express emotion – especially in a movie like this. So be wary. Again, it’s appropriate for a certain age or maturity level.
Finally the “The Wolfman” is NOT appropriate for kids. It’s rated R and is one of the most violent movies released in recent memory.
