Common Sense Media: What parents need to know

Smart, emotional, violent sequel has resonant ideas.

“War for the Planet of the Apes,” which is part of the long-running sci-fi/action movie series, is the third movie focusing on intelligent ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis). It’s heavy on fantasy violence, with guns and shooting, arrows, missiles and explosions. Some bloody wounds are shown, although there’s not much gore overall. Apes are imprisoned, hung on crosses, whipped and forced to work. Characters die, and one character commits suicide off screen. Language is mild, with sparing use of “goddamn” and “Jesus Christ.” The movie is very smart and subtly discusses issues of how fear can lead to such problems as slavery and war. But Caesar isn’t exactly a role model, as he chooses to seek revenge (though he does pay a price). Overall, the movie is exciting and thought-provoking, worth enjoying as well as discussing. (139 minutes)

Uninspired horror movie has shallow characters, few scares.

“Wish Upon” is a teen horror movie with a “be careful what you wish for” theme. There are many gruesome deaths, with blood spatters, impalements and crashes. Other violent content includes suicides (via hanging and cut wrists), teen fighting, a dead dog with its guts coming out, a violent video game and jump scares. Teens kiss; language includes a use of “f---,” plus “s---,” “b----,” “bastard” and more. Adult characters drink beer in more than one scene, with no consequences, and opium is mentioned. With shallow characters and uninspired horror scenes, this is one of those instantly disposable movies that seem to exist only to cash in on an opening weekend before disappearing into oblivion. (87 minutes)

Streaming

Medieval fantasy has some battle violence, sorcery.

“Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire” is a fantasy about a dragon who must broker peace between a brother and sister fighting for the crown of a kingdom. There’s medieval battle violence: Characters are killed falling into spikes on walls, as well as via swords, an ax to the chest, sorcery, crossbows and the supernatural strength of a young man who can hurl his enemies from hundreds of yards away. But none of the violence is overly graphic, bloody or gory. Infrequent profanity includes “a--” and “damn.” A joke is made in which a character is taunted as being an “a--boy” to a superior. There’s some demonic imagery that could be nightmarish for younger or more sensitive viewers. Characters drink mead at a Viking celebration. (98 minutes)

Via iTunes and Amazon video. Also available on DVD.

Streaming

Great performances in emotional, intense biographical drama.

“Lion” is an emotional biographical drama about Saroo Brierley, who was separated from his family in India at age 5 after ending up on a train bound more than 1,000 kilometers away from his hometown. Based on Brierley’s memoir “A Long Way Home,” the movie chronicles how Saroo (Dev Patel) used Google Earth to track down his birth family after a 25-year separation. Children are shown in danger — including a disturbing scene in which homeless children are abducted as they sleep, one in which young Saroo is physically inspected in a creepy manner and others in which he’s forced to live on the streets with no shelter or food. When the action switches to Saroo’s adulthood, there are scenes of implied sex (he and his girlfriend are in bed, half dressed) and passionate kissing. Adults (20-somethings) drink at dinner parties, restaurants and at home; there’s also cigarette smoking and infrequent strong language (“s---,” “a--” etc.). And underlying everything are powerful lessons about perseverance, gratitude, family bonds and the power of technology. (118 minutes)

Via Netflix streaming, iTunes and Amazon video.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsensemedia.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

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