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Call of the Wild

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Dog-centric adventure drama is age-appropriate but bland.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    A young girl sheds her preconceived notions about rural life and begins to enjoy her environment.
  • Role models:

    The main character lies at one point, but there are consequences, and she learns a lesson. A grandfather forges a strong relationship with his granddaughter (though he also gets upset with her). The neighbors are bullies, but it's clear that their behavior isn't meant to be emulated.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Two neighbor characters are menacing; one man flashes a rifle.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    “Motherlovin'” is as envelope-pushing as it gets.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Call of the Wild

Parents need to know that this sweet but predictable film inspired by Jack London's classic novel is squeaky clean -- there's no nudity, drinking, smoking, or swearing. And the message, while conventional, is positive: Sometimes what you want may not be what you need. That said, there are a few scenes/characters -- bullying neighbors, a grandfather getting upset with his granddaughter -- that make the tone a little too grown-up for the youngest viewers. It's also worth noting that the film is presented in 3-D in some locations, which could make some of the images more intense for little kids.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what Ryan learns over the course of the movie. Do others learn something from her as well? Why does the wolf dog tug at her heart? Families can also discuss the appeal of nature/animal movies. How does this one compare to others you've seen? And if you've read the book, how does it stack up to that?

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