Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that while this film is based on the classic 1960s sitcom, it's a much darker comedy with more sophisticated humor. While the movie is fun, it contains violent images and strong sexual innuendo. It also contains scenes featuring the use of various weapons and torture devices. Parents also need to know that while the characters are likeable, their behavior is sometimes mean spirited. Wednesday Addams' sadistic nature is rather disturbing. Parents should exercise caution and may want to preview before allowing tweens to watch.
Families can talk about family relationships. What's it like to have a close family? When does sibling rivalry go too far? How are family differences settled? Families can also talk about the differences that occur when classic TV series are remade. Why are some things the same while others are presented differently?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Melissa Camacho
Inspired by the cartoon characters of Charles Addams and based on the classic 1960s television series, THE ADDAMS FAMILY re-introduces the world to the Addamses, a ghoulishly demented family who embraces the morbid side of life.
The Addams clan includes cigar-smoking, child-like dad Gomez (Raul Julia); elegant, vampish mom Morticia (Anjelica Huston); weird son Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) and somber, frighteningly sadistic daughter Wednesday (Christina Ricci). Living in the mansion with them are Grandmama (Judith Malina), Lurch the butler (Carel Struycken), and the ever-present Thing (Christopher Hart, or at least part of him), a free-standing hand that has no body but possesses a personality of its own.
After hearing Gomez pining for his estranged brother, the beloved Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd), the Addamses' attorney cooks up a scheme to steal the family fortune. As a result, the family gets caught up in a swindle full of misadventures and ghoulish fun.
The Addamses are a tight-knit family who clearly care about one another, but they lack the same kind of charm and generosity featured in the original 1964 TV series. The characters, while looking remarkably like their classic counterparts, are darker and at times mean-spirited (for example, the opening sequence features the family about to pour a caldron of boiling oil over Christmas carolers). Also unsettling are the extremes to which Wednesday goes to inflict pain on her brother, including strapping him into an electric chair and joyfully flipping the switch.
While the movie fails to recapture the quirky spookiness and charm of the original TV series, it's actually fun to watch. The dialogue is quick witted, and there are plenty of funny(albeit macabre) moments. But the movie also contains its share of sexual innuendo, violence, and freaky imagery that's inappropriate for younger viewers.
Fans of the film may also enjoy the sequel, Addams Family Values, as well as the classic 1960s original Addams Family series.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentStrong sexual innuendo, especially between Gomez and Morticia. The couple can be heard having an orgasm while in public. There are several subtle references to sadomasochism, and a quick reference to child molestation relating to Uncle Fester. Much of this will go over the head of young viewers. |
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ViolenceKnives, swords, and other medieval weapons are frequently visible, but their use is rarely seen; a torture device is used on Morticia (to her pleasure), and Pugsley is strapped into an electric chair. A hand gun is visibly pointed at Gomez. The children, especially Wednesday, use weapons and other sources of pain to try to hurt each other as part of their everyday play. In the end no one gets hurt (although it's unclear if the bad guys are dead at the end). |
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LanguageQuite mild for PG-13, including "damn" and "hell." |
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Social BehaviorThere's a clear love of family and love for children. But some of the Addamses' antics appear mean-spirited. The children are often rude, and their rivalry is often a bit too intense. |
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CommercialismClear visible ads for Tombstone Pizza and Fedex. Sally Jessy Raphael is briefly featured. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoGomez is occasionally seen smoking a cigar. Brief adult consumption of hard alcohol. |
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