I have watched this movie probably around 5-7 times, and it never gets old. The scenes and acting keep you glued to your seat, wanting to see more. It's filled with a ton of "How are they gonna get outta that one?!" moments (like when the crew is running into a carbon dioxide problem) and other scenes (like when they have to power the entire spacecraft with just the power used to run a coffee pot) that keep you wondering how they will solve the problems to bring the crew home. Although there are a couple sexual scenes (one showing a man and a woman in a shower together, nothing is seen though, and another part in the opening scenes when a man talking to a woman shows what happens when a spacecraft docks with the LEM, representing her as the glass and him as the beer bottle head entering the glass) its not that bad. And "the clap" part that they bring up in the "Sex" part of the Common Sense review I didn't even catch when I first watched the movie, and when I did catch it later on, I still didn't even know what "the clap" was. As for the drinking and drugs part, it's barely noticeable. There is a fair amount of smoking, mainly in parts of immense stress or celebration (like when they finally land the crew safely), but I wouldn't call it excessive. Drinking is even less noticeable, maybe one scene in the beginning. There is quite a bit of language, but in reality, all the language said is from the actual speech said between ground control and the spacecraft, and it actually adds to the film as it further builds up the tension and stress of the situation. The only thing I must say is that you do have to understand what is going on and be somewhat familiar with the space program to fully understand and enjoy the movie. If you have a kid and they aren't that familiar with anything space related, be prepared to pause the movie a few times to explain the setting, time period, and basically what's going on. The first time I viewed it when I was about 9 or 10 I thought it didn't make sense and didn't catch everything, but I still thought it was intriguing knowing just how close to death the main characters are. But I now understand every part very well, and every time I watch it again I learn something new.
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Apollo 13
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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 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Thrilling, heartwarming, scary, and superb.
Themes in this movie include: friendship
updated 10.09.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Apollo 13
Parents need to know that it's a good idea to prepare younger kids beforehand by telling them what the movie is about, and you may want to reassure them, since it is a true story, that the astronauts did come home all right. Note that everyone in Mission Control is a white male (and they all smoke all the time).
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the way that Mission Control solves the problems happening thousands of miles away by re-creating the conditions inside the spaceship. Point out how the adults handle the strain, sometimes losing their tempers or blaming one another (or trying to escape blame), but mostly working very well together.
- Discuss the real-life event that inspired the movie. Ask older family members if they remember the event. Kids who want to learn more can go to the library or conduct Internet research.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
apollo 13 review by critic07
I loved apollo 13 it was an amazing film that thrilled me and i loved how they told the true story of the three brave men that wanted to land on the moon but instead journeyed to the moon back without even touching it. It them 7 days to get back home! It had a few sexual content scenes that were only about 20 seconds long. They had really bad words for a PG rating. Not any violence really, but it had tons of smoking and peril. But it was a great sci-fi adventure.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
A wonderful masterpiece...
This movie will keep your eyes glued to the screen the entire length of the film. Not for very young children though. There are a few sexual scenes and a pretty good amount of language. about a doxen uses of sh-t in various forms, p-ss,etc. no f-words though. Geat movie overall though.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Real life heroes!
This is a masterpiece of film making! From beginning to end, you will be glued to your seat.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Extremely boring
This is so boring, and scary that I left the room. Bad movie.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Amazing, Heartfelt Film About Courage and Responsibility...A must-see!
APOLLO 13 is a great film. No two ways about it. The film tells the story of Jim Lovett, an astronaut who loves his family and dreams of going into space again. He's paired with three other men as they unexpectantly are called upon to go to the moon. But their craft, Apollo 13, malfunctions, and oxygen is running out. Now the workers at NASA have to struggle to get them home while their families watch, praying for thier loved ones to return. Like OCTOBER SKY and BACK TO THE FUTURE, the film is heavy on the swearing, with "d**n", "a*s", and "sh*t" used a lot. There is really no sex and no violence, but many scenes are very tense. Overall, a great family must-see. CommonSense made a small blunder though, saying that the film is rated PG-13. For those who are wondering, it's only PG and is great for ages 11 and up. Highly reccommended.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Intense yet Heartwarming for ages 11 and up!
Great Family Movie! No sex, no violence (just intensity), iffy language, and barely any alcohol. Adults and kids will both love it!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A must see!!
This is one of the all time best movies! It includes some of the best actors and gets you really involved with the movie! You will find yourself holding your breath!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
a sad but good story about astronauts
well its agreat movie i liked but u have to follow really good or u will lose it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
"Housten, we have a problem" Not any more!
I adored this film. Superb score and Cinematography. Outstanding acting from all the cast. A perfect film to end a perfect day.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
pictures space well
not for the very youngest younglings. It can be scary in some parts for them. It has some language, including some "s-words" and many people smoke, both cigarettes and cigars. But if you want to see it/ kids about 8 or over can see it go for it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
APOLLO13
My friends and I recently viewed APOLLO13 in school and there was al ot of "blushing". There were numerous sexual double entendres/references with Kevin Bacon stating to a woman (with a beer bottle and round glass) "This is you, this is me. We thrust my baby (his penis) in and it zooms out (getting erect). Then there is the penetration. Everything's clickin', and the buttons are pushin'", and there is an implied sex scene with the camera panning away as things get raunchy. That suprised me in a PG rated film.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Great Intense Movie for Kids
Hero movies are great for kids
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