OK for kids 9+
Tween-targeted fantasy adaptation is no Harry Potter.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this family-friendly fantasy is based on author Cornelia Funke's best-selling young adult novel. As in the book, there's a dark tone to the story, and the threat of violence seems real (especially the death threats). The "inked" villains may disturb younger kids, although some of the fantastical elements are funny. Henchmen hold people hostage, threaten to kill people, and burn property, and characters are in serious danger through most of the film. There's mild flirting between two younger characters and a quick kiss and embrace between married couples.
- Families can talk about whether scary characters and events based in fantasy are less frightening than those based in real life. Why or why not?
- What does this story have in common with other movies based on popularyoung adult books? How is it different?
- If you've read the originalbook, how does the movie compare? Is this a faithful adaptation?
- Why doyou think filmmakers sometimes change things from books? Families canalso discuss secrets.
- What's the difference between secrets and lies?Are lies used for good reasons OK?
The good stuff
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Messages: Teamwork and family bonds strengthen this magical story.
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Role models: A young girl is the heroine of the story, and she risks her life tosave her parents. A usually selfish character is willing to actcourageously to return to his family. A greedy villain gets his due.One comic-relief character (a thief from Arabian Nights) has a very exaggerated accent.
What to watch for
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Violence: The henchmen are brutal: They kidnap and take several characters hostage at knife point, and they burn an entire rare library's worth of books. Several characters are told they'll be killed. A villain commands an even scarier villain to "feast" on innocent characters. Characters fight and are obliterated. Some animals from books -- a Minotaur, flying monkeys, dragons, etc. -- might scare younger kids.
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Sex: Two young characters flirt; married couples embrace and kiss (briefly).
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Language: Mild -- "damn," "for God's sake."
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Consumerism: None, unless you count references to fictional literary characters.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
InkHeart by rottencritters
My son loved the book so we had to see the movie. We went with friends who don't usually like fantasy movies, but they loved it!! I think Brendon Fariser is a great actor and this movie was awesome.
5
Ink Heart by rpfrye
The movie was filled with action from the moment it started! Worth seeing!
5
Loved It!! by sunshine_2001_girl
A slilver-tounge must have read InkHeart out loud cause the movie was magical. Some tweaks were made to the over all story but the scene play is just as good the book. If your worried it's another low buget film like Twilight, don't. If you love fantasy, action, comedies, or happy endings this is the movie for you.
5
inkheart by swissmiss7
We really enjoyed the movie. My son did not like the end of the movie, since it did not keep true to the book.
5
Inkheart by seerainbows
My husband, 10 year old daughter and I loved this movie. It is a great family movie and everyone should read and add the series of 3 books by Cornelia Funke to their home library. My daughter and husband have been reading Inkheart for the past few weeks together and love the book and now the movie. My husband: "When I read a book, I create images in my mind which are mine. When I see the movie, story is the same but images are the creators. I liked the creators images and story line matched." Isabella:"It was awesome. I want to go again. My favorite character is Meggie because she is alot like me." Myself:"This movie kept my attention with its interesting characters, beautiful and creative locations, and clever storyline. The bad guys were very bad, the good guys were very good with the added element of the character Dustfinger and his struggle with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other shoulder."
5
OUTSTANDING! by LauraDiB
My 11 year old son and I saw this just a few hours ago. This movie was worth the ticket price. For those people that have read the book Inkheart you will NOT be disappointed! The actors/actresses were perfect for their respective roles and brought the book to life. For those that have not yet read the book, you, too, will not be disappointed. The action and adventure, relationships between characters and the special effects are amazing. For those people that were disappointed in Brendan Fraser's last movie, Mummy III, he will have redeemed himself tenfold with this movie.
4
Pretty good! by ilovemovies.kp
Better than I expected. Had both comedy and action throughout. Some characters were a little creepy.
Overall I liked it - very mysterious.
4
Good Movie by jendeco
I had not read the book before seeing the movie, but for one who loves to read, I found the book very enjoyable and was thoroughly enjoyed by my two young boys. This is a treat for all the avid book readers out there who would love to see their stories come to life if possible. The best performance was from Paul Bettany who plays Dustfinger. I would definitely recommend this movie to families with its PG rating and holds no crude or inappropriate content as is in so many movies these days.
4
This is a good film for the kids out there and not too bad for the parents but not rivitting by Dark_Chameleon
Brendan Fraser either entertains or not (think Mummy against Mummy 3) and you get my meaning, fortunatly this was an entertaining movie with only some plot steps that seem a little too stretched to keep to the plot.
I enjoyed the film but it wasnt so good as to lose me in the plot as so many do today, for Brendans most recent films this is a better example and although seeming to take some of the plot from Bedtime stories, if comparred to that terrible example of a movie, this is the definate winner.
I'd choose this over adam sandlers film every time..I could sit through this rather then spend the time watching the seconds pass and hoping beyond hope for a laugh.
Go watch this with your kids...no worries about fear or sexual content.
Grade: a definate B
5
Really good movie! by jill3413
I went into this movie knowing very little about it and skeptical. I was very pleasantly surprised at how engaging it was and how it grabbed me and took me along for the ride. Paul Bettany was outstanding as Dustfinger and the scenes with him blowing fire were phenomenal. I would highly recommend this movie for adults, teens and younger kids. I think my 9-year old would enjoy this immensely and I'll be going back and taking him with me.