Blast from the Past

  • Review Date: May 2, 2003
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 1999
Review

Common Sense Media says

Fish-out-of-water comedy with some salty language.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the comedy in this film is based on an exaggerated clash of cultures -- the relative innocence and wholesomeness of the 1960s vs. the disillusionment and jaded materialism of the 1990s. Casual obscenities and swearing is prominent in the 1990s scenes, where there are also porn shops, sexy TV commercials, a prostitute in drag, and scenes in which characters appear to be high on marijuana or drugs. In the 1960s almost everyone smokes. And there's lots of drinking in both decades. 

  • Positive messages3
    The film consistently celebrates kindness, respect for others, education, and honesty. Even the most cynical characters come to find value in innocence and an open heart.
  • Positive role models4
    It's all in fun as role models are magnified and idealized. Parents are super smart, obsessively committed mentors (even paranoia or secret drinking can’t spoil the image); Adam is the perfect child, then a flawlessly responsible and considerate adult. Adam's innocence and enthusiasm rub off on everyone he meets. A gay character is treated with respect.
  • Violence1
    A plane crashes into a house: no one is injured; the pilot escapes. A leading character suffers from what seems to be a heart attack, but he soon recovers. Cartoon action includes a brief fist fight, a fall, a car crash, and a chase.
  • Sex1
    Scenes set in the 1990s show some sexy TV commercials, girls in bikinis, and the exterior of an adult video porn shop. A prostitute in drag offers services to the innocent Adam -- he's oblivious. There are some gentle, romantic kisses between new lovers. Eve asks Adam, "Have you ever had sex before?"
  • Language3
    Lots of swearing and off-color language during the scenes set in the 1990s: "hell," "s—t," "goddamn," "f—k," "d—khead," "get laid," "bitch," "crap," "hooker," "pimp," "butthead," "slut," "screw you," "ass," "pee in pants," "son-of-a-bitch," "slut," "penis."
  • Consumerism2
    Dr. Pepper, Holiday Inn, U-Haul, Prince Albert, Ralph Lauren.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    In the 1960s, most characters smoke cigarettes; one has a pipe. There is social drinking and one character becomes a secret tippler; she's never portrayed as drunk and the scenes are played as comedy. In the 1990s, characters frequently consume alcohol -- there are scenes in a psychedelic bar, a saloon, and a restaurant. There's a brief discussion of Alcoholics Anonymous and some characters appear to be drugged or high during some humorous pseudo-religious scenes.
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What's the story?

In BLAST FROM THE PAST, Brendan Fraser plays Adam, who was born in 1962, in an elaborate bomb shelter constructed by his eccentric genius of a father (Christopher Walken). His parents, mistakenly believing that a nuclear bomb exploded in Los Angeles, stayed in the shelter for 35 years. Adam comes out in 1997 to get supplies. He meets Eve (Alicia Silverstone) who is at first annoyed and bewildered by his innocence and old-fashioned values, but then charmed by them.

Is it any good?

 

This leisurely comedy has no surprises or special insights, but it does have attractive performers (including Dave Foley as Troy, the gay best friend). It doesn't waste much time on Adam's surprise at the changes of the last 35 years. Instead, it allows us to share his undiluted joy from the simple pleasures he has never had a chance to experience, like the sunrise and the ocean. And it's even poignant as Troy and Eve envy Adam's old-fashioned good manners and love for his family.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the differences between the early 1960s, when Adam was born, and the late 1990s, when he first experiences the world beyond his family's bomb shelter. Families can also learn more about the history of bomb shelters.

This review was written by Nell Minow
Teen, 17 years old
August 18, 2010
AGE
13
 
"Blast from the Past" is a sweet rom-com with great chemistry from the two leads
I've always loved Brendan Fraser and Alicia Silverstone so I think this was a really good movie. There is a fair amount of language in it and some brief sexual innuendo. I thought Brendan Fraser and Alicia Silverstone had great chemistry in it. Dave Foley was really good as Eve's roommate and Brendan's friend. Christopher Walken and Sissy Spacek was really good as Brendan's parents. Although I had a bit of trouble with the scenes involving Archbishop Melker. I thought thay was a bit cheesy. It's a sweet romantic-comedy. And Brendan's character is one children could look up to. I rate it on for ages 13+
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This review was written by Nell Minow
Studio:New Line
Director:Hugh Wilson
Cast:Alicia Silverstone, Brendan Fraser, Christopher Walken
Genre:Comedy
Run time:112 minutes
Theatrical release date:February 12, 1999
DVD release date:July 27, 1999
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:brief language, sex and drug references
This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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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.
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