The Garfield Movie (PG)
Age 7+
Legendary cat’s animated adventure has peril, lots of ads.
“The Garfield Movie” is the first fully animated mainstream release based on Jim Davis’s popular comic strip about the iconic orange cat who loves lasagna and hates Mondays. It follows Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt) from his kittenhood meet-cute with owner Jon (Nicholas Hoult) to an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), that puts Garfield’s survival skills (or lack thereof) to the test. Expect lots of slapstick violence, including falls and face-smackings; a scene where a cat swallows a bird and another in which a bird is electrocuted; and many chases and confrontations in which main characters are nearly injured or killed (or, in one case, land in a pile of manure). There’s also one mildly suggestive scene that’s likely to go over kids’ heads, plus a few insults like “worthless,” “outcast” and “crazy,” and a use of the British slang “bloody.” Garfield’s laziness, size and larger-than-life appetite are played for laughs (including a fatphobic joke about him breaking a scale). The movie’s frequent, overt product placement makes it seem like an ad for Olive Garden, Sony, Popchips and more. All of that said, there are clear themes of perseverance, teamwork and forgiveness, as well as the importance of communication between parents and children. (111 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Furiosa: A Max Max Saga (R)
Age 16+
Stunning, intense prequel has near-constant peril and violence.
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“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” a prequel to the 2015 reboot “Mad Max: Fury Road,” tells the origin story of Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) after she’s taken from the Green Place as a child by a group of bikers led by a feared warlord (Chris Hemsworth). Expect constant, intense violence, including explosions, dismemberment, torture, references to sexual assault, and lots of warring and death. Cannibals are shown, and people are shot and stabbed. Language is limited to a few uses of “b-----d,” “bollocks” and similar terms. Only one relationship could be interpreted as romantic, but it never crosses beyond deep affection and forehead touching. While there’s little racial diversity in the primary cast, Furiosa is a determined, courageous and strong woman who is selfless in the face of nearly impossible odds. And despite all the violence, the movie does promote teamwork and resistance against oppressive authority. (148 minutes)
Available in theaters.
Atlas (PG-13)
Share this articleShareAge 14+
Tense sci-fi action tale has strong violence, language.
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“Atlas” is a sci-fi action film with graphic violence and swearing that centers on a woman named Atlas (Jennifer Lopez) who must fight against AI robots to save humanity. She and a colonel, played by Sterling K. Brown, are the film’s heroes. There’s a recurring theme that women are considered weak if they’re emotional and hostile if they’re driven. Atlas demonstrates courage in facing her fears. But many people and robots are killed or destroyed, including through electrocution, firearms, explosions, crashes, fights, dismemberment and falls. Characters also suffer graphic bodily harm and deal with psychological trauma from feeling responsible for the deaths of others — including colleagues and a parent — and from witnessing or anticipating AI attacks on humans. Language includes “f---,” “s---,” “a--,” “hell,” “goddamn,” “damn” and “b----.” (118 minutes)
Available on Netflix.
Angry Birds Mystery Island (TV-G)
Age 6+
Castaway story has new faces, less violence and more teamwork.
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“Angry Birds Mystery Island” is a comedy series based on the popular mobile game. It introduces four new teenage characters: three hatchlings and a piglet (voiced by Harvey Guillén, Kate Micucci, Nasim Pedrad and Dominic Monaghan) who get stranded on a mysterious island. As in other versions of the franchise, the show puts the pigs and short-tempered birds in typical cartoon comedy situations — especially falling from great heights or being crushed by heavy objects for laughs. But unlike previous Angry Birds series, this one focuses less on competition and destruction and more on themes like working together and caring for one another. As castaways on a mysterious island, the hatchlings encounter volcanic activity and threatening monsters, like a carnivorous plant and a giant sand worm. They must rely on teamwork to find their way, build a home and concoct a plan to escape the island — all while creating a new family of their own. (Eight episodes)
Available on Prime Video.
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