Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 7+
Kids' sci-fi adventure never fully blasts off.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that, overall, this movie depicts smart, curious junior high kids who stumble upon a way to make their dreams of space flight a reality. But there's a scene in which they drink beer, and they work unsupervised with a welding torch and an electric saw as they construct their spaceship. One boy mentions his dead mother; another, preparing for a trip to outer space, writes his will as a precautionary measure. Younger kids may be scared by a suspenseful scene in which a giant mechanical "spider" frisks the boys after they arrive on the alien spaceship.
- Families can talk about whether movies with older special effects are still entertaining. Can you suspend your disbelief enough to enjoy the story? Families can also discuss the realities of space flight and the boys' three distinct personalities. How are imaginative "dreamer" Ben, cautious scientist Wolfgang, and practical Darren different from one another? Why do you think they become friends? Last but not least, what do you think of the fact that the aliens base their opinion of humans on television? What kind of impression would you get of people based just on TV shows?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Although they neglect their schoolwork (which causes their grades to suffer), the movie's young characters are depicted as smart, curious kids who team up to build and pilot their own spaceship.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: A bully punches a boy in the face; the two briefly fight in the schoolyard. Some use of dangerous tools (welding torch, electric saw) as the ship is constructed. In one scene, a giant mechanical "spider" frisks the boys. A parent's death is mentioned.
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Sexy stuff: A boy kisses a girl. A boy fantasizes about an alien species of "Amazon women" who want to breed a new race; his friend calls him a "pervert." A boy has a crush on a girl in his junior high class.
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Language: A few mild curse words, like "ass," "pissed," and "go to hell."
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Consumerism: The boys affix a NASA sticker to their homemade spaceship.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Three young boys share some swigs from a bottle of beer.