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Be Kind Rewind

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Quirky Jack Black comedy is sweet and silly.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The entire community unites for a common goal: to make a film and celebrate how it ties them to the neighborhood's history -- real or imagined.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    In one scene, Jerry is magnetized by a power plant, but it's not disturbing, just funny. Mr. Fletcher roughly holds onto a punky teen while admonishing him. Pretend violence in the re-shot films.
  • Sex:

    Shots of kissing during scenes from various re-filmed movies. In one conversation about "how much action" the main characters get, Mr. Fletcher makes a somewhat crude joke.
  • Language:

    Language includes "s--t," "damn," and "dammit."
  • Consumerism:

    Recognizable brands/names include West Coast Video and the many, many movies the guys re-shoot: Ghostbusters, RoboCop, Rush Hour 2, etc. Throughout the film, the life of jazz legend Fats Waller is an ongoing theme.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Be Kind Rewind

Parents need to know that the stars of this comedy -- Jack Black and Mos Def -- are both extremely popular with teens and even tweens. Happily, the movie is age-appropriate for both groups (particularly teens). There's some language (including "s--t"), but not as much as in most PG-13 films, and virtually no sexual activity, save for a few "on camera" kisses while the characters re-shoot movies. There's also one discussion about "getting action." The main product tie-ins are West Coast Video and the re-filmed movies themselves.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what the film is saying about Hollywood movies. Can a redone, amateurish 20-minute version of a movie be just as good as -- or better than -- the original? Or is the point that, in re-shooting the films with other movie fans, everyone becomes part of the films and the community? Kids: Does a movie have to be believable to be good?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Strangely amusing Jack Black comedy about lies vs. the truth.

    Parents should know that "Be Kind Rewind" is an often funny film for adults, but the satire will probably sail over kid's heads. There is some blatant discussion of sexual behavior and some very colorful language. Parents who's children want to see this film, should be aware of the overall theme of deception. Telling the truth does come along at the end.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    really funny movie

    some language and breif talk of "getting action"

  3. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    Not bad for kids.

    A good film but not one of this films you watch over and over again. It's a wholesome story about a whole comunity coming together - an alright movie :)

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Fantastic Movie - I Almost Wet My Pants!

    This movie is hilarious! Jack Black and Mos Def are hysterical in this movie and I am a HUGE Danny Glover fan! Definitely definitely definitely see it!

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0

    Be kind rewind is overrated and was for most of the time boring

    From the advertisements and commercials I thought this was going to be a winner. A film starting one of the funniest comedians from previous films, Jack Black, I knew it had to be good. Unfortunately, it wasn't even decent. The film spends way too much time with character development. I understand that in this film, as it progresses it gets better. The first half of this film, forty minutes approximately are the most boring minutes I've spent viewing in a movie. Not only is it just dialogue nothing happens. Then the second half of this film is where the film starts getting better, but when it gets to the point where it's excellent it just stops. This is one you could see on DVD or even skip. I don't really understand the phenomenal reviews. As for the movie's content it's a mild PG-13. It could even pass as a strong PG. There is no sex or nudity in this film. But there are at least three jokes about a character being gay or homosexual. Not that explicit or inappropriate though. For the violence, there really isn't any. The only violence I can think of is some slapstick humor or that one scene where (MINOR SPOILERS) Jack Black gets electrocuted by that fence (END SPOILERS). The profanity is minimum. A few anatomical and scatological terms that are used rarely. Overall, Be kind rewind is a movie I wish I could rewind over and remind myself not to see this movie.

  6. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0

    Hilarious!

    This was an over-all good movie. In the beginning it starts with the characters talking about the good old-days with one characters boss. Then it goes on to the main characters best friend (Jerry) who is convinced that the power-plant is working towards worlds domination breaks into the power plant but then gets magnatized and electrocuted. Then he goes back to the store and decides to re-arrange all the videos in the video rental store to his weird filing system. He touches every video in the store and erases them ALL! So then they decide to re-film all the movies. From then on it gets better and better... and then stinks. The ending is pretty horrible and if it wasn't for the awesome first three quarters I wouldn't bother watching it. But it's good!

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 2.0

    started of good, ended bad

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Be kind rewind is filled with laughs that a family could enjoy

    Be kind rewind is a perfect movie for families. Although I would be cautioned too because the profanity isn't the worst I've seen and doesn't go above the PG-13 there are some mild swear words in here like "hell" and stuff. The sexual content isn't really that bad I put it under iffy because it's not something every child can hear but if your child or children have seen PG-13 movies this one is mild at best. I recommend Be kind rewind to families but for families that have children that have seen mild PG-13 movies. The violence is no where near an issue.

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Ok movie

    This movie was ok. When i went to see it i was expecting it to be funny because Jack Black is in it. There were some funny parts but it wasn't like i expected. It was also a little boring. On the other hand it was a good story.

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

    Wonderful, Charming Masterpiece

    The best things in life come from the stuff you make yourself. In the brilliant new film, Be Kind Rewind, starring Jack Black and Mos Def, two nerds starts remaking films after accidentally erasing their tapes. The remakes, or "sweded" versions, of the movies are hilarious and smart. However, this film can only be truly appreciated by true movie-going fans who can understand the comic genius hidden underneath these remakes. There is nothing inappropriate about this movie, but this movie should be best saved for hardcore film fans. This is a masterfully crafted film from director Michel Gondry for the true film-going fans.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 2.0

    looks cute but not

    all the people I know who saw it hated and it was not good

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    A nice movie

    Be Kind Rewind is a nice family movie for tweens and up. Sex: Kissing, some non-explicit discussions about it (Is it a bird? a plane? No! its a sexual comment flying over my head. Anyone who can understand them is mature enough for them) Violence: Jack Black is cartoonishly shocked in a power plant. Badly recreated scenes of violence. Commercialism: Fats Walker, lots of movies. Main problem here is that some of the movies are more inappropriate than this one.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Uplifting, Intellectual, Funny

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Different than anything you have ever seen!

    This movie is slow to start but quickly gets funny enough to bring tears to your eyes. It has a nice message that everyone will appreciate. The use of the s word may be of concern for those with small children, but other than that, it is strictly PG.

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