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  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Madcap, nonsensical romp with the Beatles.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The Beatles are thoroughly laid-back and whimsical about their predicament, and always help out their mates. The cult members are politically incorrect racial stereotypes of Indians and Hindus, but most of the Anglo characters are exaggerated British types, too. The leading lady is a heroic rescuer-figure.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Lots and lots of playful roughhouse-fighting, even escalating up to combat with tanks. Ringo (and others) are threatened continually with human sacrifice via a nasty Bowie knife, yet no blood is shed.

  • Sexy stuff:

    One girl seen topless from the rear getting bathed. One background belly dancer.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Products and tourist destinations, many from yesteryear. Of course, the Beatles' music itself is a product.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Brief verbal reference to "happiness pills." Of course, parts of the movie are borderline "trippy."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Help!

Parents need to know that this movie is replete with playful fighting and slapstick violence, including some "don't try this at home" moments, like when George clings to the roof of a speeding car. There's more than a little bit of insensitive racial/religious stereotyping in the villains, a bunch of (mostly Anglo) actors playing robed cult fanatics from India, but just about all the characters are cartoon caricatures, including the Beatles themselves.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the appeal of the Beatles as characters, then and now. Do you think this film nails it just as well as A Hard Day's Night or other Beatles features and documentaries? Do you think Help! has stood the test of time? In its daft style-over-substance plot and imagery, does Help! seem like the ancestor of the MTV music video?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    WonderfulTonight
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Fantastic

    If you're a Beatles fan, you'll love anything Beatles. This is a really fun movie. It's just a blast of fun, and adventure, with the four mop tops from Liverpool. Amazing music, funny, and a must watch!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    wallflower
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Meet the Beatles

    The Fab Four are in their prime, the songs terrific and catchy and the whole endeavor is quite simply fun. There isn't much to the plot, but that doesn't matter given all the other things this film has to offer.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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