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 Reel Life with Jane!Get the latest scoop on family-friendly movies at the theatre and on DVD! TRANSFORMERS
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language. Should you bring the kids? Yes, if they're 13 or older. This movie is action-packed from start to finish and contains a few innuendoes not suitable for young kids. Also, the CGI effects get a little tiresome after a while. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below. THE STORY: If you had kids – or were a kid – in the 1980s, you might remember the Transformers cartoon show about two dueling groups of robots — the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. These huge hunks of metal had the power to transform into cars, jets, helicopters, and motorcycles, and now they're on the big screen in this live-action movie, directed by Michael Bay.
Still, that's nothing compared to the night the car drives away, morphs into a giant robot, and uses a light beam to communicate with a UFO. That really freaks Sam out! Meanwhile, U.S. soldiers in Qatar, an emerite in the Persian Gulf, have been attacked by a helicopter that transforms itself into one ruthless robot. It destroys everything in its path while a smaller offshoot downloads super-secret files from computers. Secretary of Defense John Keller (Jon Voight) calls an emergency meeting to analyze the data, but one of the small bots has already hacked into Air Force One's computer. We learn that that one of the bad bots, Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving) crashed in the Arctic a thousand years ago, taking with him a powerful cube called the Allspark. The cracked eyeglasses of Sam's great-great-grandfather hold the key to the Allspark's location. Sam is currently selling the glasses on eBay and has no idea of their value. It turns out that Sam's car – the yellow Camaro -- is actually Bumblebee, one of the good bots. He and fellow Autobots get chummy with Sam and Mikaela, who vow to help them out. Also in the good-guy camp are a group of soldiers led by Capt. Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and Sgt. Epps (Tyrese Gibson). John Turturro plays Agent Simmons, an over-the-top fed who might have ulterior motives in the good-vs-evil fight. BRINGING THE KIDS : PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): With one action-packed scene after another, this movie is way too frightening for preschoolers, so don't even think about taking them! A gentler option is Franklin and the Robot (2006), a bot-themed story about everyone's favorite green turtle and his forest friends. Also, any of the Rolie Polie Olie DVDs – about a young bot-boy and his family -- are wonderful preschool-friendly fare, as well. GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): This movie is Robocop on steroids. Few things are as terrifying as giant robots in hand-to-hand combat, especially when accompanied by ear-splitting sound effects. While it would be nice if this movie was appropriate for grade-schoolers – since most of the accompanying action figures, comic books, videogames and other products are aimed at this age group – that's not the case. The storyline includes lots of action violence, weapons, fight sequences, massive explosions, flying wreckage, and a few sexual innuendoes (including one awkward scene where Sam's mom asks him if he was masturbating – ack!). A lighter option for grade-schoolers is 2005's Robots, about a young robot named Rodney Copperbottom who saves an entire generation of bots from extinction. Also check out: 1) Megas XLR, a cartoon about a giant robot and a teen hero; 2) Transformers Cybertron, a 2005 series based on the original from the 1980s; and 3) The Jetsons, that classic cartoon about a beloved space family. All these shows are currently airing on the Boomerang network. TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): This movie has great characters and the requisite romantic storyline, but the special effects are the real star of the show. Cars and helicopters transform into enormous robots in mere seconds, interacting with real people and objects in real-life spaces. It's a little creepy, but also very cool. Older tweens and teens will love it, as will "big kids" who were obsessed with the bots in the 1980s – though some purists say this version doesn't compare to the original. The take-away message: Sometimes you have to push beyond your limits to survive and do the right thing. RATATOUILLE
MPAA Rating: G Should you bring the kids? Yes, it has a sweet story and cute-as-the-dickens characters, but I think it should have been rated PG. See "Bringing the Kids" below to find out why. THE STORY: If there were ever two things that shouldn't be in the kitchen together, it's rats and food. But that's just what happens in this cute Pixar movie directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles). The story follows a rat named Remy (voiced by actor/comedian Patton Oswalt) whose greatest dream in life is to become a famous chef. But that's going to be a challenge because for one thing, Remy is a rat. And for another thing, his family isn't too keen on the idea. His dad (Brian Dennehy) feels that a rat's place is, well, in the dumpster BEHIND the kitchen.
While peering into the kitchen from a rooftop window one night, Remy watches the culinary goings-on and dreams what it would be like if HE were there. Until…he IS there, thanks to a mishap that lands him smack in the middle of everything.
Rounding out the cast are Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, John Ratzenberger, and Peter O'Toole. Look for a snappy Pixar short to open the movie, as well. BRINGING THE KIDS: PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): So rarely do we get a G-rated movie that's appropriate for preschoolers, but this one has MOST of the right ingredients -- lots of action and color for young kids and a heartfelt story for everyone else. Still, a few objectionable scenes push this movie towards a PG rating. A character says "Welcome to Hell!" in describing a tense situation. Another character forces wine on someone to get information out of him. And there's plenty of comic-type violence, including an old woman using a gun to shoot rats inside her house. For all these reasons, I think this movie is best for kids 5 and older. GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): "Dream big" is the moral of this movie. Sure, it's been done before, but in a summer of sequels, how refreshing to have a movie that's NOT based on a previous movie. It's bright, colorful, and has a great storyline about pursuing your dreams even when all the cards are stacked against you. Remy and Linguini learn the truth about friendship, family and being true to yourself. TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): With lots of culinary scenes and lingo, this movie fits right in with all the foodies who watch The Food Network. It's really geared for kids aged 5 to 8, but even older kids and adults will love it a la Finding Nemo. Some movies have just the right combo of heart, humor, and sweetness, and this one almost – but not quite – fills the bill. Would I see it again? Maybe, but probably not. JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM : One Reel: Pathetic. Even The Force can’t save it. Two Reels: Tolerable. Coulda been a contender. Three Reels: Pleasant. Something to talk about. Four Reels: Wow! The stuff dreams are made of. Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net
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by Jane Louise Boursaw
The story centers on Sam "Spike" Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf, this year's go-to-geeky-teen), a smarty-pants teenager who's psyched about getting his first car – a beat-up yellow Camaro that lot owner Bobby Bolivia (Bernie Mac) has never seen before. Hmmm…very mysterious. Not only that, the car has a habit of playing just the right song at the right time, as Sam tries to impress cool girl Mikaela (Megan Fox). Songs like "Baby, Come Back" and "Sexual Healing."
Ok, stay with me now, because things get even crazier. The evil robots are after Sam -- or rather, a discovery made by Sam's ancestor, an Arctic explorer. Thanks to an introductory narration by good Transformer Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), we know that the two factions of robots – the good Autobots and the evil Decepticons – battled it out on the planet Cybertron.
by Jane Louise Boursaw
When a tragedy befalls Remy and his family, they find themselves booted out of their home in the French countryside and heading towards Paris on a fast-moving river. The little guy gets separated from his family, but tries to make the best of things by taking a look around the big city. He can't believe his good fortune when he finds himself at a gourmet restaurant once helmed by his culinary hero, Chef Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett), now deceased…sort of…
Dodging copper pots and meat cleavers, Remy finally comes to rest by a pot of bubbling soup on the stove. Unable to resist, he adds his special touch, delicately tossing in assorted herbs and spices. However, through a series of events, Linguini (Lou Romano), the garbage boy, gets the credit for the tasty soup. As a result, he's promoted to chef. In reality, he can't cook an egg.
Given the task of disposing the unwanted rodent, Linguini takes Remy – now encased in a jar – outside and laments to the little rat that he really needs this job. The two hapless souls eventually realize they can help each other. Remy can do the cooking for Linguini, and at the same time, fulfill his lifelong passion of being a chef. They figure this out in a very unique way.
Meanwhile, Remy's family re-enters the picture, and his dad can't understand why Remy is so geeked about gourmet food when there's plenty of good garbage around to eat. He worries that Remy's passion could split up the family. Likewise, Remy is torn between his dreams and his family's insistence that he behave like, you know, a rat.