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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that despite its whimsical title, this fantasy adventure incorporates many sci-fi elements that may frighten sensitive children. It's unclear whether the mysterious toys the children find are alien, from the past or future, good or evil. Mimzy (a talking stuffed rabbit) speaks in a buzzing whisper that only Emma can hear, and the toy's many close-ups border on the menacing: Just what does the white rabbit want? FBI agents bust in the family's door and take everyone into custody under the laws of the Patriot Act. The young protagonists speak telepathically with each other and the Mimzy. Ultimately it's a harmless fantasy, but some scenes featuring the strange devices can be creepy, even for adults.
Families can talk about the film's many fantasy elements. How is it similar to or different from other sci-fi and fantasy movies? How do you feel about the idea of toys having a strange affect on kids? Why are children often misunderstood or dismissed in movies? Why were Larry and Naomi more willing to believe the children had special powers? List movies in which the kids "save the day."
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen
Kids will like the premise of indie sci-fi movie THE LAST MIMZY: Ten-year-old Noah Wilder and his younger sister Emma discover a mysterious box off the shore of their beach house -- inside are strange toys that make the kids telekinetic, hyper-intelligent, and able to communicate with an old stuffed rabbit. What child wouldn't want such a cool adventure?
But with great, alien-like toys come great problems. Noah (Chris O'Neil) accidentally causes a major power outage that, in the age of Homeland Security, is perceived as a terrorist attack. Emma (the doe-eyed Rhiannon Leigh Wryn) not only communes with Mimzy (the rabbit), but she learns from him and calls him her teacher. Some of his teachings include how to levitate, atomize her body parts, and thoroughly freak out her babysitter and parents -- clueless overworked dad David (Timothy Hutton) and understandably alarmed mom Jo (Joely Richardson).
Rainn Wilson (Dwight from The Office) co-stars as Noah's Zenned-out science teacher, Larry, who, along with his New Agey fiancée Naomi (Kathryn Hahn), applies understanding of Southeast Asian beliefs to convince the Wilders that their kids aren't just gifted: They're borderline superhuman. When David and Jo finally believe (the kids act like they're under a G-rated possession), the FBI swoops in and places the whole family in a testing facility.
Just what the Wilder children are destined to do with their supernatural-seeming toys involves facilitating a wormhole for a weak Mimzy to travel through. While The Last Mimzy may seem kind of hokey -- and even frightening -- to some adults, elementary-school kids are likely to be enchanted. Just remember, parents: If your kids go from precocious to off-the-charts geniuses overnight, take an immediate trip to the neurologist. ...
Families who like kid-focused fantasy adventures will also enjoy the Spy Kids series, Sky High, and all-time classic E.T..
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentMom and dad kiss hello and goodbye. Larry is shown getting out of bed in a T-shirt and briefs; he and his fiancee Naomi kiss, and then she makes an innuendo-filled comment: "Is this what we're doing now?" |
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ViolenceSome disturbing images: FBI agents storm into the Wilder home and take the entire family into custody; Emma "atomizes" her hand and face and then shakes. Mimzy whispers in an eerie buzz, and some close-ups of the stuffed animal and the other mysterious toys are downright creepy. Emma is in danger during an important scene. |
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LanguageMinor words: Noah says "sucks" several times. |
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Social BehaviorSiblings help each other with a mission no one else understands. A father asks for a leave of absence from work to tend to his family in crisis. Parents learn that if their children exhibit odd, telekinetic behavior, it's best not to delay seeking professional help. |
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CommercialismHeavily featured product placements: The parents drive a Subaru Outback and Mercedes sedan; Noah makes a Sprite can move with his mind; the "Intel" logo is pivotal to the film's resolution; iMacs, iPods, Sony plasma TVs, video games, and more all get screen time. |
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