 | 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. |
Armageddon
- Review Date: October 29, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Giant-sized end-of-the-world scenario too scary for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie was a hit summer blockbuster from 1998 about an asteroid that threatens to wipe out the Earth; only a team of scruffy, outcast drillers can save the day. It's a very typical, traditional disaster movie, with massive amounts of destruction and the onscreen deaths of both major and minor characters. It contains middling amounts of language and some sexual situations, but the main concern is the intensity of the violence. The entire scenario -- the possible extinction of absolutely everything and everyone on Earth -- may be a bit too much for younger viewers.
What's the story?
A giant asteroid ("the size of Texas") threatens to wipe out everything and everyone on Earth. NASA chief Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) cooks up a crazy, last-ditch plan involving a crack team of drillers, led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis). They will board a rocket, land on the asteroid, drill an 800-foot hole, and plant a nuclear bomb, splitting the asteroid in two before it can reach the Earth. Many complications arise, including overshooting the landing site, and a case of space dementia. But Harry becomes most perturbed when he realizes that his best right-hand man, A.J. (Ben Affleck) is secretly in love with his beloved daughter Grace (Liv Tyler).
Is it any good?
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Michael Bay (The Rock, Pearl Harbor), ARMAGEDDON is a super-packaged product, designed and marketed rather than created. It's noisy, glossy, and excessive, and more than a tad simplistic -- but it's also nearly irresistible. It has a huge cast of stars and character actors, all playing instantly likeable misfits and outsiders that grab our affections and never let go.
The cliffhanger setups and payoffs come right out of the silent era, complete with ticking clocks counting down to the last second, but these creaky old devices still work like gangbusters. The movie's major drawback is that it cheerfully plays with the terrifying concept of the complete extinction of everything and everyone on Earth. Younger and sensitive viewers who think a little too much about this setup may find themselves lying awake for nights afterward.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the film's violence and destruction. Was it frightening, or thrilling? Why do you think it made you feel that way?
How would you feel if you found out the Earth was ending in just a matter of days? What would you do with the time? Would you risk everything for a chance to save the Earth?
The main characters, the drillers, were all misfits and outcasts, gamblers, drug users, womanizers, quick-tempered, foul-mouthed, etc. How did you like them as you met them onscreen? How much did you trust them with the fate of the Earth?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
a beautifly filmed kinetic action film
Michael Bay's Armageddon is simply a great action movie. It has some of the best cinemotography and editing of all time.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Great Hero Movie
They should make more movies like this.
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Adult
March 30, 2011
AGE
f word
they say the f word once
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
April 18, 2011
AGE
Good Bruce Willis flick. The Sixth Sense
My MPAA Rating, PG-13: Intense sequences of
sci-fi disaster, some language, sensuality, including brief rear male nudity, and some thematic material
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2010
AGE
Big No-No for Little Kids
Armageddon is a great movie and many people love it. This is NOT a kids film AT ALL. There are some scantily clad women in a bar scene and Bruce Willis walks in on his daughter in bed with her boyfriend. There are 2 or 3 F-words and VERY frequent cursing. The action is very intense and the ending is very sad. Good movie but definitely not for little kids.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 19 year old
February 2, 2009
AGE
I am not into violent movies.
To violent for me.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 28, 2010
AGE
Youve got to be kidding me
Too scary for tweens? Are you kidding? Does this siter think that we are all a bunch of wimpy wusses that still suck on or thumbs? I watched Signs, Pandorum, and lots of other horror movies and wasnt scared at all.
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Kid, 9 years old
February 2, 2009
AGE
Too violent
no one can handle this
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Parent
February 1, 2010
AGE
Armageddon
Loved it. Bruce Willis is an amazing actor.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 8, 9, and 11 year old
May 21, 2010
AGE
Awsome movie!!! (For a mature 13-15yrs old)
One of my favorite movies! All PG-13 related themes through out this film. One that was missed, that is R related is the use of the word F%&king, strong, half way through. Other then that excellent popcorn flick!
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Touchstone Pictures |
| Director: | Michael Bay |
| Cast: | Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton, Bruce Willis |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 151 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 1, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | January 14, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sci-fi disaster action, sensuality and brief language |
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