Tools for this page
Print

Arthur and the Invisibles

(2007, Rated PG, Family and kids, Starring Mia Farrow, Madonna, Freddie Highmore)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 3, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Uneven animation-live action combo may bore kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Arthur doses his grandmother with sleeping drops so he can sneak after the treasure; Maltazard is villainous; mean developer wants grandmother's home; Arthur's mother worries that, in their absence, she and her husband are "horrible parents" stereotyping of black/"Rasta" characters; minor gender stereotyping (girl Minimoy has pink hair, though she's also tough and brave).
  • Violence & scariness:

    Some banging around and crashing into things as the Minimoys travel through tunnels and the lawn; evil Maltazard threatens to enslave the Minimoys and sics buzzing bugs on them ("divebombing" and swooping, some sense of "menace" in the music); Arthur's descent into the Minimoys' underground is stressful (fast, loud); African warriors initially appear as looming shadows with spears; Arthur must wield the "sword of power" a flood threatens Minimoys.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Some flirting between Arthur and Princess Selenia.
  • Language:

    "Royal pain in my keister," "butt."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Arthur and the Invisibles

Parents need to know that this animated-live action film is muddled and a bit hectic. The movie's two realms feature two villains: a developer who wants to take Grandma's land and an underground bully who threatens to enslave the tiny, perky Minimoys. There's some stereotyping: A working-class mother worries that she's abandoned her son, African warriors appear only to help a white boy have an adventure, the girl Minimoy has pink hair, etc. The movie is based on series of children's books by director Luc Besson.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Arthur's underground adventure. Kids, have you ever imagined changing your size or changing your body? How? What's appealing about the Minimoys? How is Arthur able to help his grandmother? Why are Arthur's parents living apart from him? If your family has read the books the movie is based on, you can compare them. Which do you like better? Why?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Arthur and the Invisibles?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 21 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    OFF for 6 but ON for 7.

    the movie is way to vilont and there is a little bit to much flirting that goes on between aurther and princess salina. so kids 6 and under i dont recomend letting them watch it but i do recomend letting kids 7 and older watch it.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 1.0

    stupid

    dumb are they running out of ideas?

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Great adventure!

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

    Cute movie!

    We saw this in the theater and then bought the movie. Both my 4-year old daughter and my 7-year old son like the movie. They are just getting to where they will watch movies that aren't animated so this was a good transition movie for them.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    Cute animation

    The animation was nice. You fell in love with the characters and hoped for their well being.

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Mississippi
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    We 3 loved it!

    I took my 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. We were all on the edge of our seats. Its was just plain fun! It is surely a fairy tale with all the pleasure one can bring. It even sparked discussions in my children of irrigation systems and protecting the environment. I would recommend this movie to anyone.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 2.0

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 2.0

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

  19. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Sequel just as gripping -- and brutal -- as the first.

  • Pick of the Week

    Online Homework Help

    Online Homework Help

    Best Online Homework Helpers

  • Download This

    The Time of Our Lives

    The Time of Our Lives

    Walmart-exclusive mini-CD is edgy but kid-friendly.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy