Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 12+
Thrilling, heartwarming, scary, and superb.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that it's a good idea to prepare younger kids beforehand by telling them what the movie is about, and you may want to reassure them, since it is a true story, that the astronauts did come home all right. Note that everyone in Mission Control is a white male (and they all smoke all the time).
- Families can talk about the way that Mission Control solves the problems happening thousands of miles away by re-creating the conditions inside the spaceship. Point out how the adults handle the strain, sometimes losing their tempers or blaming one another (or trying to escape blame), but mostly working very well together.
- Discuss the real-life event that inspired the movie. Ask older family members if they remember the event. Kids who want to learn more can go to the library or conduct Internet research.
The good stuff
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Positive messages: The team works together to solve their problem and emerge from a terrible situation.
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Positive role models: Jim is heroic and brave, as are the other members of the team. Not much diversity; all of the professionals are white males.
What to watch for
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Violence: Very tense, characters in peril.
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Sex: One or two oblique references, including one to "the clap."
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Language: A couple of mild expletives.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drinking at party, lots of smoking.