 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Addams Family
- Review Date: October 15, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 1991
Common Sense Media says
Dark comedy with macabre humor for teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
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, 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.
Is it any good?
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. 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.
What families can talk about
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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Family Time.
Deffinitely good for a laugh, although maybe to dark for the younger child.
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I saw it when I was 7 years old!
The sexy stuff goes right over kid's heads. It's funny!
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Kid, 11 years old
October 25, 2009
AGE
Great Movie!!!
This was a great movie for kids. Besides how the Addams Family look rich, this is a great movie for kids.
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PG-13 accurate
I liked it. it's funny and just a little scary.
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AGE
Perfect Halloween movie for kids
I always love watching this movie. They probably aren't the best role models, but this movie is entertaining and actually not scary.
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AGE
I so love this movie, and have done so for a long time! But, for I feel looking back, I shouldn't have been allowed to view it until I was older. Here's why:
This movie can be very dark and the messages aren't always good ones. The violence between the family members and between the family and outsiders can be quite frightening for children. The sexual content is more than children need to know about, most of it will as CS said 'go over their head,' but perceptive children might catch on. There is a bit of consumerism as well as language, but language wise well...this is pg-13. Their is some smoking and alcohol consumption.
Overall, I think this movie is iffy for 13+
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AGE
i had a stomach cramps from laughing so much!
gomez was a dream husband meets tim burton. morticia(his wife)was a gem. wednesday and pugsly(the childern)made me laugh. hurch(the butler)was creepy looking. uncle fester was hysterical. i've been watching the addams family since day 1 and it never gets old. 3 out of 5.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Barry Sonnenfeld |
| Cast: | Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci, Raul Julia |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 22, 1991 |
| DVD release date: | February 22, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
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