 | 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. |
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- PG
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 1977
Common Sense Media says
Suspenseful, thoughtful alien-encounter classic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this ultimately uplifting and optimistic story has many scary and spooky moments before the exact nature of the aliens is revealed. To a mother’s horror, her toddler son disappears and is a captive of unknown villains. The earth is enveloped by strange events: electrical storms, unexplained shaking, and unidentified flying objects (UFOs). A house is attacked by mysterious forces; dead animals appear on quiet country roads. A loving father is faced with losing his family because of his conviction. There are scattered curse words including "hell," "s--t," and "bastard." Members of the military are mostly portrayed as unsympathetic and authoritarian.
What's the story?
When Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) and Jillian Guiler (Melinda Dillon) encounter a UFO, they travel to its landing site, Devil's Tower, Wyoming. Jillian is seeking her son, who went bye-bye with the alien ship. Roy's obsession with the UFO sighting drives his family away. Inexplicably drawn to Devil's Tower, Roy and Jillian realize that they're not the only ones who feel they've been called there. French scientist Claude Lacombe (Francois Truffaut), top-secret U.S. government agents, and ordinary folks are there to meet an enormous spacecraft, which, when it shows up, returns humans taken over decades (including Jillian's son). When the aliens appear, Roy boldly boards the ship in an intergalactic exchange program. (In the reissue, which added some new scenes, viewers get a glimpse of the inside of the spacecraft.)
Is it any good?
This is a thrilling adventure story and a brilliant example of the art and craft of moviemaking. The story unfolds with extraordinary power, involving viewers as much in Roy's inexplicable compulsion as in Jillian's search for her son. And the story itself is so different from many other alien movies -- it posits the idea not just that "something" is out there, but that it's something wonderful. Watch how Spielberg lets viewers know that the aliens are friendly.
There's something very believable and compelling about the way that the aliens use music to communicate and to teach the people on earth. Spielberg creates a sense of wonder not just in Jillian's son Barry (Cary Guffey) but in the adult characters and in the viewers, making them children again, with the aliens as the "adults," who -- reassuringly -- look and behave like gentle children, giving us a sense of comfort.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the idea of life beyond our solar system. Do you think there are other intelligent beings out there? Why or why not? If so, what do you think they're like, and do you think they'll ever come to Earth?
Talk about how aliens are usually portrayed in the movies. What does this movie do differently? What signs do you get that these aliens will be benevolent?
Was this movie scary? What were the scariest parts and why? How does music, lighting, etc. affect how scary a scene is?
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AGE
I think to not say anything about the language in the above review, is irresponsible.
There were 4 S-words, and GD was used 3 times. Along with the common ones "hell" and "dammit". Those are not appropriate for my children.
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AGE
I Saw This Movie When I Was Six, I Was Blown Away
This movie is great. Anyone can see it. No violence.No harsh language. I don't usually care about those things though. But anyways don't listen to anyone, just watch it! And by the way, batteries not included is a movie, they just haven't reviewed it lol
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AGE
Classic.
I love this Sci-Fi flick. It epitomizes everything good about sci-fi: the childlike awe at the amazing effects and events, the mystery, and an overall good story. Two thumbs up!
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AGE
not age appropriate for 11
the big fight scene between the parents is not age appropriat kids start to cry he locks himself in the bathroom and shes yelling curse words and trying to break into the door did i mention the three 5 year olds were watching and crying
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AGE
Pretty good movie
A few curse words, S word and God D it.
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AGE
Good for kids if you have the right discussions with them first.
There are a few curse-words scattered in this movie but nothing that calls major attention to itself. If you've had a discussion with your child with what constitutes appropriate language in school and social situations, this should not be an issue.
Prior to viewing the movie you may want to warn your child about a fairly intense scene where the boy goes off with the aliens: he is going willingly and is not abducted, but children may be upset by the mother's distress in this scene.
This movie served as an excellent launch point for discussion about aliens, life on other planets, communication, government's role in society, and space travel, and my 5-year-old daughter was fascinated and immediately wanted to watch it again.
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AGE
Common Sense Could Use Some Common Sense With Their Review
I wish that common sense media would get their information correct. This movie has language and quite a bit of it. You can find one use of the word Bullsh*t, Three uses of the word Sh*t, At least one use of the word Bast*rd, common swear words such as Hell and A** (butt) are found throughout. Besides the language another concern that parents may have with letting their kids watch this movie are the scenes may be to frightening for young veiwers, like when the aliens come to the house objects start to move by themselves and the little boy gets taken away by the aliens. There is also a conversation that takes place where a man says "there are fun things to believe in such as time travel and Santa Claus" this may put questions in a young childs head on whats real and whats make believe. Noticeable product placements in this movie featured trucks with Baskin Robbins, Coca Cola, Greyhound, Piggly Wiggly and on the T.V. was a commercial with the Budweiser song.
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| Topics: | space and aliens |
| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Steven Spielberg |
| Cast: | Francois Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Richard Dreyfuss |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 132 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 16, 1977 |
| DVD release date: | May 29, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some intense sci-fi action, mild language and thematic elements |
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