“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.
It’s finally here! After several weeks of films deemed not at all good for kids, Hollywood has finally heard your call and released a family film.
That film is “Alice in Wonderland” and it is now playing in Disney Digital 3D, IMAX 3D and regular screens from sea to shining sea.
Earlier today we posted a mildly negative review of the PG rated film. It’s rated that “for fantasy action/violence involving scary images and situations, and for a smoking caterpillar.” Yes, you read that right, “a smoking caterpillar.” But there was a smoking caterpillar in the first film and that was rated G, so let’s pretend that’s fine.
By its very nature, “Alice in Wonderland” is a little darker than most normal children’s fare and this version is no different. Alice is separated from her family and finds herself in a new world, all alone. However, in his new version, the world of “Wonderland” isn’t as scary as before. Alice has friends – that’s because she has already been before and this time they need her help.
There are a few very scary scenes though. A mouse stabs the eye of a large animal, Alice walks on a river of skulls and she *Spoiler Alert* cuts the head off of a dragon. Each of these parts of the film is certainly going to be a little too much for most kids but, if you took them to see “Alice” in the first place, it should be okay.
Overall – “Alice in Wonderland” is definitely appropriate for kids. It has its moments but it’s no darker than, say, “Coraline” or something like that.
Comments
Nicole
March 17th, 2010 - 11:02:35 AM
As usual the predominate "oversheltered parenting ideology is holding children back from important life lessons. Yes there is a smoking caterpillar. It did not make my child want to be a smoking caterpillar. Yes there were some dark places and references but alas such is life. To keep children from seeing the good prevail in these circumstances inhibits their ability to confront these situations in real circumstances. I do not wish to hear the nitpicked political incorrectness of this movie. Parents should be excited and praising a film that teaches little girls to discover their strengths and follow their instincts. It is time my daughters see a girl in armor fighting for herself and what is right in this world.
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Jacie
March 18th, 2010 - 8:00:00 AM
I find it hard to put any faith in what you wrote based on the fact you ended it with "or something like that". Are you 12 years old yourself?
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franz Fontaine
March 28th, 2010 - 6:08:51 AM
for a 3 1/2 ??
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Ammara
May 5th, 2010 - 11:07:15 AM
k im watching it right now and its dark its scary i heard its suppost to make u feel lost scared and hopeless
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