The Borrowers (PG, 1998)
common sense media says
Charming adaptation with constant (but funny) perils.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the little people in this movie have a lot to fear from the "Beans," or humans, who are out to exterminate them. The tricks and traps can be painful to watch. There are also some gross-out moments (like when a Borrower falls into a pile of dog poop, or when a villain is drenched in liquid cheese). But the clever gadgets and great escapes will prove entertaining to tweens and even adults.
Educational value:
Intended to entertain, not educate.
Positive role models:
Strong female role models dominate the Borrower culture, making decisions, taking physical risks, and speaking their minds.
Violence & scariness:
Perilous and violent scenarios have tangible results. Traps, chemical burns, pokes in the flesh with prongs, chase scenes where little people are nearly smashed with hammers or drowned in milk. No one dies or is mortally wounded. The action is frenzied and continuous, but fun, too.
Sexy stuff:
Not applicable.
Language:
"Damned," "idiot," and "shut up."
Consumerism:
Very discernible product placement in first 15 minutes of movie: Breyer's ice cream, Reach dental floss, Energizer batteries.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
The villain smokes cigars.
More on The Borrowers
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
nancydrew
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
The perfect movie
This is a great movie.I think you should watch it. It is about a family that is small and they go through a bunch of adventurer and they save there home wile they go through them to i think that if you like fun and adventure this is the perfect movie for you!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Sammy Keyes
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Ever imagined tiny people as tall as a needle?
A Great film you won't miss out on!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Ski girl 10
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
Great for 7 and up
I loved it best movie. I watched this with my 7 year old sister and she was laughing so hard. It is funny, good message, and lots of action.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
marissa123
parent
parent
Excellent Family Movie Night Choice for 8+
The kids will love the creative and imaginative ways that the Borrowers make common, everyday items work for their tiny family.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
4hunters
parent of 8 and 12 year old
parent of 8 and 12 year old
different from the book, mostly good, but watch for lies.
The story is a little different from the book (of course!), but it had been a couple of years since we read the book. We all enjoyed it, and my budding engineer particularly enjoyed all the contraptions depicted.
My kids enjoyed the "making of" section on the DVD from Netflix.
There were a couple of times when non-villain characters lied: the Lender boy offers one lie after another to his parents to get them to stop the moving truck. They suspect him, but nothing comes of it.
It's not even a story element, but the movie ends with, Arietty telling her mom that she's just "going out in the garden" (or something) with her new friend, while hiding walnut shells for a fast car(ish) ride behind their backs.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
chargnar
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
A nice Film
A pretty good movie. Kids will like the performance of Peegreen, who is a very young Tom Felton (AKA Draco Malfoy)
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already seen it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
