| 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. |
Parents need to know that this movie starring the tween-fave cast of Nickelodeon's hit show Big Time Rush makes for fun family entertainment. The squeaky-clean content invites a range of ages, and the movie manages to include a little something for everyone, including parents, who will chuckle at its allusions to classic spy movies (as well as modern parodies like Austin Powers) and who will most appreciate the band's renditions of Beatles classics like "Help!" and "A Hard Day's Night." Expect some traditional weapons, as well as high-tech spyware (cell phone guns, dart pens, etc.), but the only injuries come from tranquilizer guns that knock out their victims for short periods. You don't have to already be a fan of Big Time Rush or their TV series to jump right into this fun-filled comedy, but if your kids aren't followers already and take a liking to the charismatic cast, they may want to add the show to their repertoire.
Nickelodeon's talented boy band hits the big time with hilariously unexpected results in BIG TIME MOVIE. The story opens as Kendall (Kendall Schmidt), James (James Maslow), Carlos (Carlos Pena Jr.), and Logan (Logan Henderson) jet off to London to kick off their first world tour -- but a bag swap at the airport gives them possession of a potentially dangerous device called "The Beetle." Suddenly they're thrust into a high-stakes tug-of-war between the villainous Sir Atticus Moon and British intelligence agents, not to mention the beautiful and courageous Penny Lane, who's on a mission to rescue her father from Moon's grasp. All bets are off as the guys turn spies to save the world from a nefarious plot, risking their tour's success in the process.
Strap in for a fast-paced adventure on the coattails of this fresh-faced foursome, who adapt to their comical undercover agent personas as naturally as they sing in harmony. The guys bring their trademark charisma to roles that pay homage to the original Fab Four's first two comical films, and they do pretty impressive renditions of classic Beatles songs. Mix in allusions to the shagadelic British spy parody Austin Powers, and this makes for a surprisingly appealing comedy for the whole family.
Even those who aren't already familiar with Big Time Rush will take an immediate liking to the talented teens thanks to their onscreen chemistry. Their vocal talent has propelled them to the top of fans' charts, and they don't miss a beat in incorporating the movie's soundtrack -- which features six Beatles songs as well as their own originals -- into the story. The result? If your kids aren't already fans, they might take new interest in the guys' TV and musical endeavors after seeing this movie, but it's a risk worth taking if you're looking for some family-friendly entertainment.
Families can talk about comedy. Did you find Big Time Movie funny? How does it compare to parodies of the same genre you've seen? How does it poke fun at other movies?
Kids: Why are so many TV shows and movies featuring musical stars these days? Does the musical component improve the quality of shows like Austin & Ally, Big Time Rush, and Victorious? Does it influence your musical preferences to have your favorite TV stars performing during these shows?
What, if anything, does this movie have to say about friendship and group dynamics? Is there a clear leader among the bandmates? Do all of the friends play equal roles in the story as well as on the performance stage? How do your experiences on teams or within peer groups compare to what you see here?
| Topics: | adventures, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Nickelodeon |
| Director: | Savage Steve Holland |
| Cast: | James Maslow, Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| DVD release date: | August 28, 2012 |