What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this movie is based on a Greek myth, and though it is aimed at young audiences, it contains medium-level fantasy violence (some swordplay with blood), some scares (mostly characters like gruesome witches that share an eyeball, Medusa and her snake-hair, and a skeletal ferryman), and some nudity (mostly nonsexual and not up close, plus one covered shot of a couple in bed together). The movie features the work of legendary special effects master Ray Harryhausen, and it has a certain cult appeal because of this; it's filled with unique -- if somewhat dated -- stop-motion animation and creatures. Modern day kids may find it all a bit wooden, slow, and/or dull, but parents who saw it when it was new in the early 1980s may be thrilled to see it again.
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. Was it realistic? When it's a fantasy movie does it have less impact?
- One of the gods asks, "what if courage and imagination became everyday mortal qualities? What will become of us?" And Zeus replies, "we would no longer be needed. But, for the moment, there is sufficient cowardice, sloth, and mendacity down there on Earth to last forever." What did he mean by this?
- How is an ancient myth like this one relevant to today?
- How much did Perseus achieve by himself, and how much did the gods help him out? Do we all have the power to choose our own actions and our own destinies?