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Innerspace Review

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 11+

'80s sci-fi adventure comedy has some drinking, swearing.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Innerspace is a fun, if often silly, sci-fi adventure from the '80s about a miniaturized pilot (Dennis Quaid) who winds up injected inside the body of a neurotic store clerk (Martin Short) when an experiment goes awry. They face frequent peril from sometimes-menacing bad guys; violence includes one gunshot death (minimal blood), threats of pain and torture, fights, and more. There's also a fair bit of language (including "s--t"), drinking, and sexuality (including a shot of Quaid naked from behind), but the movie's overall tone is light, and the goofy humor will appeal to tweens.

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays drinking. Are there any consequences for the characters who drink? Do you think there would be additional/different ones in real life?
  • Is the movie scary or exciting? Why is some violence upsetting, while other action scenes are thrilling?
  • How do Jack and Tuck change over the course of the movie? What does each one learn from the other?

The good stuff
  • message true3

    Messages: Characters work together for a common goal despite differences. Bravery and initiative are rewarded; negative thinking and fear of change are shown to be limiting factors.

  • rolemodels true3

    Role models: Jack and Tuck have their flaws and are both guilty of acting selfishly/irresponsibly, but they step up when it counts and help each other become better people. Lydia is a smart, independent female character. The villains are clearly bad guys.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: A supporting character is shot and dies after dramatically fleeing and collapsing in public; a little blood is shown. A main character is abducted and threatened with pain/torture. Frequent scenes of suspense and peril, including a punching/kicking fight in a careening car; characters are also Tasered, chased, slapped, punched, menaced with guns, tied up, knocked out, and more, though nothing gets too serious/scary. A menacing bad guy in a robotic suit meets a fairly grisly end (more is implied than shown). While Tuck is inside him, Jack's innards are shown (blood stream, organs, etc.).

  • sex false2

    Sex: Tuck is left naked in the street after chasing Lydia (it's suggested that they've had sex) and having his wrap caught in a cab door (his backside is shown). Kissing between two couples; Jack ogles Lydia's legs. In one scene someone thinks Jack is giving his penis a pep talk (he's actually talking to Tuck) and says "Play with it, pal; don't talk to it." One bad guy has a fake hand; it's implied in one scene that he attaches a sex toy to it (though kids likely won't pick up on this). One of the bad guys is shown in Speedo-style underwear.

  • language false3

    Language: A few uses of "s--t," "damn," "ass," "crap," "hell," and "son of a bitch."

  • consumerism false1

    Consumerism: Jack works for Safeway, and the store/logo is shown/mentioned several times.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: It's implied that Tuck likes to party and drink; he's quite drunk in the beginning of the movie and acts overly flirty and belligerent. Later, Jack and Tuck get drunk together and dance. Other drinking includes cocktails, wine, and champagne. Supporting characters smoke cigarettes and cigars.

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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