 | 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. |
Be Kind Rewind
- Review Date: June 16, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Quirky Jack Black comedy is sweet and silly.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the stars of this comedy -- Jack Black and Mos Def -- are both extremely popular with teens and even tweens. Happily, the movie is age-appropriate for both groups (particularly teens). There's some language (including "s--t"), but not as much as in most PG-13 films, and virtually no sexual activity, save for a few "on camera" kisses while the characters re-shoot movies. There's also one discussion about "getting action." The main product tie-ins are West Coast Video and the re-filmed movies themselves.
What's the story?
Jack Black and Mos Def star as best friends Jerry and Mike, who live in Passaic, New Jersey, and spend their time working in BE KIND REWIND, a small video store (VHS only!) owned by Mike's former guardian, Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover). While Mr. Fletcher -- who's trying to save his building from being condemned -- is on a trip, Jerry gets unintentionally magnetized by the power plant he lives next to and accidentally erases all of the tapes in the store. Desperate not to lose customers, the duo decides to film no-budget, amateurish versions of a few movies for their customers. Much to their astonishment, the redone videos are a hit, and soon people are lining up to get their favorite movies "Sweded" (redone) by Jerry, Mike, and their hired leading lady, Alma (Melonie Davis).
Is it any good?
Devotees of eccentric French director Michel Gondry may be slightly disappointed that Rewind isn't the mind-bending masterpiece that 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was for many critics and fans. But it's still dreamlike in many ways. That people would embrace and participate in silly remakes of blockbuster or cult movies is definitely far-fetched, as is the sense that Passaic is a sleepy urban town that folks get "stuck in," rather than a suburb of New York City. Forgiving the believability of the setting or the circumstances (who runs a VHS-only video store?), the film is, like most of Gondry's work, charming and endearing, with most of the laughs stemming predictably from Black's manic behavior and Def's pitch-perfect straight man work.
Glover, who usually doesn't look like a man in his 60s, is delightful as the store owner who slowly comes to accept and contribute to the new business model of custom movies, even playing Morgan Freeman to smitten neighbor Mia Farrow's Jessica Tandy in a Sweded version of Driving Miss Daisy. And Hollywood newcomer Melonie Diaz (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints) is adorable as the guys' go-to actress/director/cinematographer. Like Alma, the film is pleasant and at times moving, while still remaining lighthearted and sweet. Those looking for an introspective treatise on love and life should rewind Gondry's past films, but those open to a funny, less-probing comedy will leave the theater wanting more of the Sweded films.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what the film is saying about Hollywood movies. Can a redone, amateurish 20-minute version of a movie be just as good as -- or better than -- the original? Or is the point that, in re-shooting the films with other movie fans, everyone becomes part of the films and the community? Kids: Does a movie have to be believable to be good?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Be kind rewind is overrated and was for most of the time boring
From the advertisements and commercials I thought this was going to be a winner. A film starting one of the funniest comedians from previous films, Jack Black, I knew it had to be good. Unfortunately, it wasn't even decent. The film spends way too much time with character development. I understand that in this film, as it progresses it gets better. The first half of this film, forty minutes approximately are the most boring minutes I've spent viewing in a movie. Not only is it just dialogue nothing happens. Then the second half of this film is where the film starts getting better, but when it gets to the point where it's excellent it just stops. This is one you could see on DVD or even skip. I don't really understand the phenomenal reviews. As for the movie's content it's a mild PG-13. It could even pass as a strong PG. There is no sex or nudity in this film. But there are at least three jokes about a character being gay or homosexual. Not that explicit or inappropriate though. For the violence, there really isn't any. The only violence I can think of is some slapstick humor or that one scene where (MINOR SPOILERS) Jack Black gets electrocuted by that fence (END SPOILERS). The profanity is minimum. A few anatomical and scatological terms that are used rarely. Overall, Be kind rewind is a movie I wish I could rewind over and remind myself not to see this movie.
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AGE
Hilarious!
This was an over-all good movie. In the beginning it starts with the characters talking about the good old-days with one characters boss. Then it goes on to the main characters best friend (Jerry) who is convinced that the power-plant is working towards worlds domination breaks into the power plant but then gets magnatized and electrocuted. Then he goes back to the store and decides to re-arrange all the videos in the video rental store to his weird filing system. He touches every video in the store and erases them ALL! So then they decide to re-film all the movies. From then on it gets better and better... and then stinks. The ending is pretty horrible and if it wasn't for the awesome first three quarters I wouldn't bother watching it. But it's good!
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AGE
Different than anything you have ever seen!
This movie is slow to start but quickly gets funny enough to bring tears to your eyes. It has a nice message that everyone will appreciate. The use of the s word may be of concern for those with small children, but other than that, it is strictly PG.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 23, 2010
AGE
Very good comedy.
Funny, laugh-your-*bleep*-off comedy. Usually-dirty Jack Black stays pretty clean.
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AGE
a clean comedy with humor, heart, and good messages
When you think of Jack Black, you usually think: dirty, raunchy comedy, blah. But this is not at all the case. With the clever writing and directing style of Michel Gondry, this sweet comedy will please audiences of all ages. Its about a community coming together to accomplish a common goal, you can't really get a better message than that. In the theater, I stood and clapped because it was such a simply beautiful film. This is definitely a family favorite.
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AGE
Strangely amusing Jack Black comedy about lies vs. the truth.
Parents should know that "Be Kind Rewind" is an often funny film for adults, but the satire will probably sail over kid's heads. There is some blatant discussion of sexual behavior and some very colorful language. Parents who's children want to see this film, should be aware of the overall theme of deception. Telling the truth does come along at the end.
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AGE
really funny movie
some language and breif talk of "getting action"
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AGE
Not bad for kids.
A good film but not one of this films you watch over and over again. It's a wholesome story about a whole comunity coming together - an alright movie :)
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Michel Gondry |
| Cast: | Danny Glover, Jack Black, Mos Def |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 21, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | June 16, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some sexual references. |
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