Can We Toast 'Tintin' without the Alcohol?

Critics are raising their glasses to the technical marvel of The Adventures of Tintin—a globe-trotting holiday adventure treat. However, parents should be aware that the family film includes so much alcohol, it might as well be a character in the film.

The animated adventure quest follows Tintin, a young investigative reporter who is trying to unravel the mystery of a lost ship with the help of a constantly inebriated Captain Haddock. Much like the lovable Captain Jack Sparrow, Haddock is a drunk who is surprisingly nimble, capable, and powerful – who wouldn’t want to start drinking if it meant you could create fuel with your breath? While our hero disapproves of Haddock’s intoxication, the presence, consumption, and mention of liquor occurs more frequently than the word “smurf” in The Smurfs.

Haddock’s alcoholism is straight from the source material, a Belgian comic strip that began in 1929. However, it made me wonder why filmmakers include drunkenness at all in films directed at children and teens? Besides the Pirates of the Caribbean films this year, The Green Hornet is all about a hard-partying rich kid who finds responsibility through irresponsibility and even squeaky-clean Captain America tries to drink away his sorrows in Captain America: The First Avenger.

Removing smoking from most G, PG and PG-13 movies seems to be making a positive impact in reducing smoking rates in youth. Perhaps Hollywood should next look at reducing the alcohol consumption in kids’ movies as a positive New Year’s resolution in 2012.

Meanwhile, here are some films families can enjoy without a breathalyzer:

Arthur Christmas Christmas is finally here! If you haven’t already seen it, Arthur Christmas is a fun look at how Santa’s global operation functions as well as how his own family dysfunctions (although it’s implied Grand Santa hits the bottle as well. Sigh.)

The Muppets The Muppets is a meta-journey with our felt friends that brings mega-smiles. It’s simply one of the most hilarious-yet-appropriate movies of the year.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol The stunts and cinematography are breathtaking and the action so immersive, audiences won’t believe they can feel so much joy while sitting on the edge of their seat. The violence is prolific, but in a heavily choreographed way that comes off no more graphic than what a kid might see on TV.

To read what kids think about The Adventures of Tintin, Arthur Christmas, The Muppets, Mission Impossible and other movies, go to www.KidsPickFlicks.com.

Categories: Family Films