OK for kids 7+
Underwhelming alien comedy has some suggestive humor.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this animated alien comedy earns its PG rating with a fair bit of sexualized humor -- including jokes about anal probing and penises which may go over younger kids' head (though middle schoolers won't be duped -- in fact, they'll probably find it hilarious). There's also some mostly mild violence -- though weapons are involved -- as the alien army attempts to capture and subdue a human astronaut (voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), as well as references to a maniacal doctor's desire to suck out Chuck's brain for scientific reasons. The language is mostly tame ("moron" and "stupid"), if disrespectful; beyond the sometimes-crude jokes, the sexuality revolves around one character's infatuation with another, which culminates in a kiss. Despite taking place on another planet, there are a few brands featured in the movie, including Volkswagen, Twix, and iPods.
- Families can talk about how the movie plays on the media's standard jokes about and portrayal of aliens. Who is the "real" alien in Planet 51? How do the movies and comic books that characters read on Planet 51 affect the way its population reacts to Chuck?
- What purpose do all of the pop culture references -- particularly to well-known movies -- serve? Is it funny? Is it original?
- To what kind of movies is Planet 51 an homage? How are the '50s portrayed?
The good stuff
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Educational value: Not an issue
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Messages: Much of the positive stuff is secondary to the suggestive humor, but Lem and his friends do work together to help Chuck, and Chuck learns to trust the aliens, despite his initial hesitation.
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Role models: Some characters are less than admirable, but Lem and Neera are positive role models: Lem takes a risk to trust Chuck, and Neera believes in peaceful protest to enact change.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: An alien general and soldiers try to take down the American astronaut with military weapons and guns. An alien doctor is after Chuck's brain -- for scientific reasons, of course...
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Sexy stuff: "Parking" aliens talk about how it's their first time "parking" (i.e. kissing in car). Two alien adolescents flirt with each other and eventually kiss. A female alien with robust cleavage gets angry at a male alien who's staring at her. A character makes repeated references to alien "probes" and how to discourage them. The astronaut tries to teach an alien how to romance "chicks." After seeing the astronaut naked (he drops his towel for a second, but the audience doesn't see anything), an alien jokes "that's a funny place for an antenna."
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Language: Mild language includes "what the...," "moron," and "stupid." There's also crass humor that includes commentary about "chicks," "alien probes," and a penis joke (the alien thinks it's an "antenna").
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Consumerism: Twix candy bars, Sea Monkeys, and Volkswagen are recognizable/discussed brands. There's also an iPod-looking device and many obvious references to other movies.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Planet 51 by granddaddy123
Enjoyable for adults and kids alike. Humor definitely understood by us "oldies" since based a lot on the 1950's, but more than enough storyline for the kids to follow. Recommend.
4
Planet 51 okay for the kids by bethsears
My kids enjoyed Planet 51, especially my 9 year old. There were lots of cliche's but the kids still laughed. And, it was completely acceptable for my 6 year old as well. No violence, no bad words, no sexual content. Perfect!
5
Good Family Fun by Diamondgirlmovies
This was one of the greatest animated movies to come out this year. I appreciate the humor in the film and how it was represented.We've always heart of "aliens" coming to earth now we have something of an idea of what it's like to be the "alien" from this movie. It's good clean fun and everyone could enjoy this one from kids to 3 or 4 to adults in their 60's and 70's. Go see it!CFG
4
Five Word Review by USMCCPL049
Its ok Kids liked it.
4
Fun send-up of 50s Sci-Fi by levets
Ok, this is a movie for kids. I just went with my 6 and 9 year old, and they loved it. I did too - but here's the catch - I'm a big fan of 5-s Sci-Fi, B-Movies, and Sci-Fi in general. This movie is full of references (Star Wars, Close Encounters, Alien, etc.) that many kids won't get (and adults who don't know the genre) - but my kids caught one I didn't (from the original Lost in Space)
This movie is fun. It's an homage. It's a send-up. It's not supposed to have the literary and socio-political complexity of something like No Country for Old Men or something.
Any violence is mild, and most is only implied. There are some "off color" jokes, but much of those will go over the little ones' heads - and again much of the "crude" stuff is not shown, only implied. Thankfully, there is no bad language as in "the other name for a Donkey" used in Shrek. I hate when they do that, even in an "allowed" context - it just isn't necessary. This movie is profanity-free and just simply, fun.