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Superman: Doomsday

(2007, Rated PG-13, Science fiction, Starring Anne Heche, Adam Baldwin, James Marsters)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Violent cartoon spinoff with classic superhero.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Superman could just let his astounding powers go to his head and become a self-righteous super-vigilante or demi-god, but he doesn't. We see this trait in others (Lex Luthor among them). Lois is fearless and smart, but she still needs rescuing almost continuously; ditto the less resourceful Jimmy Olsen.

  • Violence:

    Intense animated violence, to the point that Superman bleeds. Characters are killed, including (off-screen) a child. There are beatings, and (off-screen) heads are broken, spines are snapped -- animals as well as people. One character shot to death.

  • Sex:

    Nothing overt, but it's clear that Superman and Lois are lovers and cohabitate when they can. Naked male superbodies in cloning chambers have private parts obscured (rather amusingly, a la Austin Powers) by gravity-defying mounds of liquid.

  • Language:

    "Hell," "ass," "rectum," and the euphemism "frigging."

  • Consumerism:

    A built-in ad for Superman comics, cartoons, and products.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking under duress by Perry White.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Superman: Doomsday

Parents need to know that this is a Superman story pitched on a more adult level. In addition to rampant violence and mass destruction of cities and machinery, people are killed (even animals and children, off-screen). Characters swear, at PG-level. Superman and Lois Lane have been "more than friends" (as Lex Luthor puts it), though we don't see them having sex. There is, er, super-nudity in a clinical setting, but shadows and amusing obstacles block our view of the, um, super-gear.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the different viewpoints of Kal-El (AKA Superman) we get here, chiefly from Luthor and Lois, especially when a wannabe tries to take his place. What is missing from the substitute Superman? Do you prefer characters like Batman and Superman as simple do-gooders of yesteryear, or the more complicated ones of today?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    JandAsmom
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0

    Good film but not for young children.

    A good story but a little too violent for younger kids.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Adult Reviewer
    tvgirl
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Over-Hyped Kids Flick

    This movie is not much different than "Justice League" and "Superman: The Animated Series". Don't buy the hype that it is anything different. It was boring and not worth the 78 minutes. As usual, the redeeming factor is that Superman is a great role model for kids.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    mkalv
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 2.0

    Violent movie.

    This is a really violent movie. Heck, Supes even vomits blood. This film was pretty edgy.

    This review...

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

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