 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Cursed
- Review Date: June 19, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Horror
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Dumb werewolf movie may leave you feeling cursed.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this PG-13 horror film is pretty tame compared to the R-rated gore-fests out there, but unfortunately it's just a really bad movie. Teens are more likely to laugh at the low-budget special effects than have nightmares. There are some bloody killings, but that the violence is not as graphic as what appears in R-rated movies. There is some strong language and a few naked backsides. A group of high schoolers gang up on Jimmy and accuse him of being gay and use derogatory language about his supposed homosexuality. It turns out, however, that one of these "cool kids" is actually gay, and he makes a pass at Jimmy.
What's the story?
When twenty-something Ellie (Christina Ricci) and her teen brother Jimmy get into a car accident on a dark, winding road, they try to free the other driver of the car (Shannon Elizabeth), only to see her get dragged away by a large wolf. Ellie and Jimmy get scratched by the wolf, but don't think anything of it right away. After all, Ellie is focused on work and her new boyfriend Jake (Joshua Jackson) and Jimmy is busy trying to make it through the horrors of high school, where he is the victim of some bullying boys from the wrestling team. But soon tell-tale signs that Ellie and Jimmy were infected by a werewolf start emerging, and the siblings find themselves fighting the urge to go to the dark side.
Is it any good?
It's hard to tell if Cursed is supposed to be a campy, sarcastic film like Scream or a true horror movie. Although it offers funny touches like a Scott Baio cameo, it's not clever and biting enough to be a send-up of horror movies, but it's not scary enough to be a horror movie, either. Basically, it's a just a mess of a movie -- that's the best that can be said about it.
Originally rated R, the film was reshot and edited down to make it PG-13. It appears that a sensible plot and any kind of character development were edited out as well. And they must have run out of money before they hired the special effects team, because the computer-generated werewolves look fake and decidedly not scary. They would have been better off not showing the werewolves at all, because then the anticipation of seeing the beasts would create some real interest and suspense.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how the parent-less Ellie and Jimmy take care of each other. They could also discuss the way the movie handles homophobia.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
i loved it
it is the jumpest and funniest werewolf movie i ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Actually...
Very much a guilty pleasure for fans of the genre. I watched this with my mother and she and I enjoyed it very much. You're better off getting the uncensored DVD version, though.
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Adult
May 24, 2012
AGE
Not that bad - worth a look!
This film isn't that bad, you will either love it or hate it. I watched for the beautiful & talented Christina Ricci. I think the story was meant to be more funny than serious, that's why a lot of people label it as being stupid or cheesy. I watched the special features on DVD and it was said by the director that the whole werewolf concept was supposed to be comedy. Anyway, the film itself was pretty good and it has a few good laughs to offer. The werewolves looked more like props, very unreal looking. It was not scary, but rather suspenseful with a bit of an eerie vibe throughout. The werewolves are actual people who turn into the wolves ans then back to human form (which was weird) so first time watchers may be confused at who is werewolf and who isn't. Just a fun flick to kill time with when you're in the mood.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
May 4, 2010
AGE
good for kids 14 and up
its okkay
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| Studio: | Dimension |
| Director: | Wes Craven |
| Cast: | Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson, Shannon Elizabeth |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 25, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | June 21, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | violence, sexual content, crude humor and a drug reference |
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