Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 8+
Cartoony high school superhero drama; OK for tweens.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the film includes several scenes of knock-down, spectacular (but cartoonish) violence, where kids with superpowers slam each other into walls and through windows, or zap one another with freeze rays and fireballs. One particular kid is sulky, others are anxious, and several are bullies, dunking one child's head in a toilet, throwing someone's cap in the mud, tripping, harassing, and beating up smaller kids. At the beginning of the film, superparents save the city, while a TV announcers says, "Evil has struck our morning commute," which some sensitive viewers might want to discuss, in relation to the recent London underground attacks. There is some mild profanity.
- Families can talk about the relationship between Will and his parents. Worried that he'll disappoint them, he deceives them concerning his lack of superpowers; once he gets these powers, the father deceives the mother about his punishment of the son for "nearly destroying" the school cafeteria.
- How do Will's lies to his parents and friends lead to confusion and
regret?
- How does the film challenge the hero/sidekick dichotomy but
reaffirm the hero/villain dichotomy?
- How does Will learn to appreciate
loyalty over popularity?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Deceits, fights, dirty tricks, and a supervillain's plot to destroy the school.
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Positive role models: Will is a good guy, born to amazing parents. Through the course of the film, he learns an important lesson about what's really important.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Lots of cartoony action; three major fights involving fireballs, slamming into walls and windows.
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Sexy stuff: High school students kiss chastely; women heroes wear form-fitting costumes.
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Language: Very mild ("butt" and "sucks").
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Consumerism: Band posters on bedroom wall.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: One boy lights a cigarette and is told to put it out; at a party, high school kids dance and drink (unknown beverages).